Shelters provide safety and comfort from heat and cold, and well as from physical threats like the sun, rain, snow, sand or animals. Shelters should be found or constructed away from potentially dangerous areas such as flood zones, lightning strike zones, avalanche areas, and on pathways. While there should generally be insulation, be sure there is adequate ventilation as well. If you don’t carry provisions for this purpose, you’d be surprised what materials at hand can do in a pinch. The following shelters may open your eyes to some possibilities.

Debris Hut

Organic debris is layered on a “lean-to” frame against the tree. In this case I used redwood needle debris and had only time for about a 6 inch layer. It was slightly drafty. A 2+ foot layer is better, and deciduous leaves would most probably provide better insulation. Be sure to pad the ground well to prevent hypothermia. I spread laurel (bay) leaves on the ground as well to deter ground critters. Check out the Debris Shelter Gallery to view the process.

Snow Tunnel

You can dig down about 4 feet deep, then dig horizontally about 6+ feet to create a simple snow shelter. because the snow is not packed, expect some settling, so head in feet first. You’ll need insulation to sleep on. It’s also handy to have a sealable container on hand in the event that if nature calls in the night… you won’t need to take a disruptive and cold trip out.

Quinzee

Pile snow 6 feet high and pack as you go. It helps if you can pile your gear with a tarp over it at the core, so when you tunnel in, they can be removed, leaving an open core. A sloping entry with flap will form a cold air well. Try to smooth the ceiling to prevent drips, and fashion a gutter at the base of the walls. Also, put in a vent hole big enough to put your arm in. It is sooooo quiet. And during daylight hours, the walls inside are a beautiful blue.

Lavvu

This lavvu tent is native to the Sami people (a.k.a. – Laplanders). It is similar to a tipi, but has no smoke flaps or seams to fasten. Because there is no floor, you can have a campfire inside for warmth, cooking, or atmosphere. This model sleeps 3 plus a campfire in the middle.

Hammock

This is a Hennessey Hammock. It is expedition class, and enters through a Velcro slit under my legs. Long sleeves pull over the rolled up hammock to create a long rope-like package to stuff in your pack or bag.

Trash Bag Tent

A shelter could mean using a trash bag as a portable tent that a person could sit in. I like to invert a bag and hold it up by one corner. Then about a foot down, I make a 2 inch cut on the folded edge, which makes a 4 inch wide hole when opened. I lift the bag over my head and let it cover my body, placing my face at the hole. I can turn up the upper edge like a rain gutter. The inside of the bag reflects heat back to my body and the outside keeps out rain. Find a tree and squat down at the base, leaning back on the trunk to rest. I demonstrated this technique in the Emergency Shelter Class for a Boy Scout Camporee.