optimum one person natural shelter

[Joonsy]

For me it would depend entirely on what's in the area and how much time I have. I would look for naturally sheltered areas like a rock outcrop and then try to throw something around it.

Generally speaking, there are two ways you could go. One is to use a shelter that uses a heat source (fire), and the other is to use a shelter that relies on conservation of heat.

If your plan is to conserve your body heat, then the shelter has to be tiny. If you want a large shelter that you can stay in comfortably for the week, then it will be very hard to keep it warm with just body heat. If it's warm enough though, so that is not an issue, then any shelter will do. You just need something to block out the rain. Again, I would look for a rock outcrop or a dense group of trees.

If you plan on using a fire, then keep in mind that you are only collecting it with a small saw and knife. I find things like long fires to be impractical under such conditions. I would go with a small fire and stay close to it.

Generally, I find that all the planning goes out the window when you actually have to start building, especially when time and resources are limited.

If I was going to stay in the area for a longer period of time, I would look for a fallen over tree, or a large rock and build up around it. I wouldn't spend too much time on it because I would rather focus on gathering other resources.

this post above is an excellent reply, in reality i suspect your resources will be further limited not by what materials are around you but by which of them you are actually ''allowed'' to use. However it goes have a nice time anyway, fun is the best reason to do anything. ATB.

 

[rg598]

this post above is an excellent reply, in reality i suspect your resources will be further limited not by what materials are around you but by which of them you are actually ''allowed'' to use. However it goes have a nice time anyway, fun is the best reason to do anything. ATB.

Yes, you are absolutely right. There aren't much restrictions where I am, but if they do exist in an area, they can be very limiting, even more so than availability.

One thing I forgot to mention is that in the above video, the shelter didn't do much in terms of retaining or reflecting heat. Even though it was made of an emergency blanket, the fire was too small and too far away from the lean-to to actually reflect any heat back onto me (it was impossible to get it any closet without actually sitting in the fire). Maybe the effect would be more noticeable in warmer weather when the heat is not lost that quickly.

 

[Tristar777]

Hi All. I think I would agree with three of the posts so far. 1. Tracker, 2. Toddy and three Woodtrecker. Sorry this seemed the easiest way to not repeat a lot of information!

 

[Firelite]

Hi Sam, I can't improve on what's already been suggested; I know you'll have a great time and I just wanted to wish you all the best.

Cheers,

Martin

 

[Man of Tanith]

Cheers Martin.
not quite the Journeyman but its gonna be awesome

 

[bushcraftkid2001]

I think I'd go for a debris shelter with a fire a few paces in front of the entrance, good luck!!!!!

 

[sandbender]

"...not quite the Journeyman..."

On the Woodlore Journeyman I (and three others) built a five man shelter to live in, dome shaped as Toddy suggests but too much work for one person who would have other priorities. I have never felt so comfortable in a makeshift shelter, really warm and cosy.

 

[Man of Tanith]

http://www.wilderness-survival.co.uk/the-hunter-gatherer/
this is the course I'm attending.
I'd still like to do the journeyman at some point (I must be wrong in the head:/)

 

[sandbender]

http://www.wilderness-survival.co.uk/the-hunter-gatherer/
this is the course I'm attending.
I'd still like to do the journeyman at some point (I must be wrong in the head:/)

That looks brilliant, I especially like the bit about 'lending' some meat.

The Journeyman is certainly challenging, quite hard to get on these days I'd think, most of the big Bushcraft schools offer something similar.

I attended the Woodlore fundamental in 2003 I think, that was my first bushcraft course so it seemed fitting to follow that with the Journeyman. A great experience.

Looking forward to your write up of this one.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Its definitely kicked my rear to hone skills that's for sure......
the write up will come but it may take a while
get back from this on tbe friday then a week later go on my stag do with paul kirtley and a motley selection of folks from on here and old mates...

2003 I was early twenties and chasin lasses.
if I had only discovered bushcraft then I would of wasted my money on different things

 

[sandbender]

"...2003 I was early twenties and chasin lasses.
if I had only discovered bushcraft then I would of wasted my money on different things..."

Oddly enough I can remember sitting in the departure lounge at the airport having just completed the Fundamental and thinking much the same thing.

Have fun.

 

[tamoko]

This is typical for Yakuts or Tungusic peoples in Siberian Taiga in summer, one person natural shelter.

 

[sandbender]

This is typical for Yakuts or Tungusic peoples in Siberian Taiga in summer, one person natural shelter.

Interesting that, thanks for posting.

 

[Joonsy]

This is typical for Yakuts or Tungusic peoples in Siberian Taiga in summer, one person natural shelter.

what is holding the central beam up ?

 

[tamoko]

what is holding the central beam up ?

 

[bambodoggy]

what is holding the central beam up ?

Cameraman's head? Lol

 

[tamoko]

and fireplace

 

[Limaed]

I agree with Julia, I did the Journeyman a few years ago and a military survival course this time last year. Most of the guys did a thermal A frame because that's what they were taught. They all had pretty cold sleepless nights where I was in a lean too with a fire out the front and toasty warm.
That's not the whole story though. Make a real effort to make a decent thick bed and if possible a grass quilt. If you don't have the resources for this consider stuffing your clothes with dead bracken / grass, it's really effective. Try and stay dry in the day including minimising sweating, any moisture in your clothes makes you freeze at night even if you're wearing wool. A smock with a hood and a head over is also great for trapping in heat if you haven't got a sleeping bag.

 

[Man of Tanith]

I'm gonna be wearing my two dogs boreal shirt
cosy.

thanks for the input everyone

 

[Firelite]

Hi Sam, me again. The outing you are doing sounds to me to be every bit as demanding as the journeyman was, perhaps more. Once you've done this I reckon the JM would be straightforward enough. You'd breeze it.