First Attempt

[Derri]

Spent the afternoon yesterday in the local woods making my first debris shelter. It was good fun, it may not be pretty but its mine, LOL even made a little fire at the entrance. But nope did not spend the night in it, I know Im such a brave soldier not.

 

[Mesquite]

Looks nice and cosy for sure

 

[georann]

Not bad for a first try.
Doesn't look like too many support sticks in the first pic but it does seem to hold all the leaves quite well. Did you test how waterproof it was? You normally have to have a fair thickness of leaves to get a good water and windproof cover, especially as theyre prone to blowing/sliding off in bad weather!

If the environment allows, next time try using ferns. They take less to get a good covering and are surprisingly waterproof if you flatten the leaves in to sheets and thatch with the stems pointing up. Just remember to wear gloves when picking ferns or you'll cut straight through your hands on the stems!

All in all not bad, perhaps if we get a last bit of summer appear again, you may be brave enough to try sleeping in it! You can always pack a tarp in case the ****!!

 

[theoctagon]

Looks great! Looks similar to one I made here

I spent the night in mine, kept me nice and dry despite it raining for most of the night, you should try it out

 

[Derri]

Hi Georan,

More support sticks were placed and we used fern leaves and then put over the leaves, cant say they were dry as it was raining heavily by the time I had finished, and yes I did sit in and it was waterproof, and I had a little fire going just near the entrance to warm my hands etc. Not sure about spending the night in the woods on my own, Im a coward LOL - maybe next summer when I grow up and get brave.

Thanks for the lovely comments, must admit I did enjoy making it.

 

[Gaudette]

Looks really cosy the woods are safe it's the towns you need to worry about.

 

[georann]

Well then Derri I say well done - fair effort

 

[ozzy1977]

Cracking job, well done.

 

[Derri]

Thanks for all your lovely comments. It made my day.

 

[redneck]

looks good but make sure to insulate yourself from the ground by using lots of leaf litter, debris shelters are not just about a roof !!!

 

[Luke.]

Not bad. Every time you make one you will learn little tips which will make it a lot better.
Luke.

 

[Big Stu 12]

Nice little shelter

 

[Poacher]

It looks very good for your first attempt, well done!