Long term woodland shelter

[ateallthepies]

If one had to spend a year in woodland and you have a axe, saw or other tools, what would be your go to shelter building method?

I have seen all types from holes in the ground to full on log cabins. Would you invest vast amounts of time and energy on a shelter or just knock up something simple?

I suppose a hypothetical scenario could be you loose your marbles then your job and home and have to sleep rough? You have a giro or whatever enough for basic supplies. There is a good outcome on the horizon maybe a council house comes up but it is a year away?

Me? I think I would try for an iron age round house type shelter? Twin walls made of posts and wattle and daub stuffed with dry leaves /grass between. Pitched roof with hole in middle for fire smoke to escape? That will do me for a year?

Steve

 

[crosslandkelly]

I'd try this, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkOAnvNhtmc

 

[rik_uk3]

If one had to spend a year in woodland and you have a axe, saw or other tools, what would be your go to shelter building method?

I have seen all types from holes in the ground to full on log cabins. Would you invest vast amounts of time and energy on a shelter or just knock up something simple?

I suppose a hypothetical scenario could be you loose your marbles then your job and home and have to sleep rough? You have a giro or whatever enough for basic supplies. There is a good outcome on the horizon maybe a council house comes up but it is a year away?

Me? I think I would try for an iron age round house type shelter? Twin walls made of posts and wattle and daub stuffed with dry leaves /grass between. Pitched roof with hole in middle for fire smoke to escape? That will do me for a year?

Steve

Something simple because in all likelihood you'd get moved on. I don't think you can get benefit payments without a permanant address?

You can't just turn up somewhere in the UK and start building a roundhouse.

Sort of thing.

 

[treadlightly]

Maybe a tipi? It would be relatively easy to build and is the most stable, able to handle the vagaries of the British weather over a year, particularly wind and snow.

 

[monkey boy]

I think a tipi would be perfect after all people have been living in them for years,

 

[mrcharly]

would depend on materials to hand and regional weather.

The one dependable constant in the UK these days is rain - so a roof to keep rain off and a raised floor would be priorities.

 

[Squidders]

I'm an optimist...

 

[Squidders]

Though if I were in a rush I could make do with this...

 

[calgarychef]

I'd take a yurt over a teepee, just a lot more useable room, cheap to make and you don't need those long poles. I built mine for around £600 but not that I've done one I bet I could get that down to £400 and still have a good one. If you were willing to use coppiced wood for your frame it would be cheaper still providing you could cut your own and not have to pay for it. Add a barrel stove and you'd be warm and dry.

 

[tamoko]

The photo Victor zoologist "ayno", he's doing a temporary tent while hunting lodge built.
And so it is quite normal lives. )))

 

[presterjohn]

I would try and go for a Yurt type set up.

 

[Elen Sentier]

I do like this. But having lived a few days in a yurt I'd go for one of them.

 

[realearner]

I think that for stealth reasons I would have to do the buried version and have it covered. Then it would most likely be good for the year, and yes longer to make but less chance of being moved on and end up more comfortable.

 

[ateallthepies]

Maybe a tree house could be possible for added security? Though using only woodland materials it could be tricky to make?

Partly what instigated this thread was me remembering about a bloke who lived in the woods off one of the motorways. He went to work I believe but lived rough for whatever reason? This was a year or two ago and I don't know if he is still living like that?

Steve.

 

[fishfish]

I think that for stealth reasons I would have to do the buried version and have it covered. Then it would most likely be good for the year, and yes longer to make but less chance of being moved on and end up more comfortable.

ever tried digging in a woods? bloody nightmare with huge roots to hack through!

 

[tamoko]

Check for traditional "sami lavvu"

 

[Shewie]

That's the kind of thing I'd try, semi submerged for warmth and slightly easier to construct.

 

[demographic]

Long term?

Depends how far in the "woods" dunnit?
Don't think I'd be living in a see through placky sheet house for a start, OK for a night or two but not for any length of time.

Shipping container is my standard measurement for a good start as far as housing is concerned. Secure, waterproof and can be made comfortable after its got windows in, insulated and boarded out.
If its deep in the wood then a shipping container on the back of a Unimog?

Timber framed cabin maybe. Or at the very least a decent sized tent.

 

[tamoko]

You need tool like benzine saw.

 

[realearner]

ever tried digging in a woods? bloody nightmare with huge roots to hack through!

Well considering you would have to cut down big lumps of wood, a little extra work for the hole