Well, this will be my second post on this forum besides my introduction. I am an active member of BushcraftUSA and thought I'd share a weekend out with you. I did this overnighter with Firebug, who is my girlfriend and she just joined the forum as well.
This was our second trip to the same location in two weeks. Our goal was to try and improve the shelter and see if we could increase the warmth through the night. We succeeded at both endeavors.
First we lowered the front of the lean-to and placed about 6-10 inches of pine needles under the tarp on the ground. Then we put fresh pine boughs on the top of the tarp then an heavy duty mylar emergency tarp on top of that with the mylar facing up. Then I closed in the sides with debris and more leaves and pine needles. Just to test myself I used buttons with all fastening to the tarp. I also tried to use several knots I've been working on like the taunt-line knot, square lashing and a noose to go around the buttons. This configuration, along with the long fire and emergency blanket reflector inside, created an almost to hot situation in our shelter. When we finally settled down I had no socks on, a light layer and was in as far as possible to get away from the heat, which was high.. Obviously after a few hours this all died down and I eventually climbed into my bag but didn't even zip it up. I kept large logs close and just leaned to feed the fire. I only had to feed the fire 1 or 2 times.. One of those times was after we were awakened by a local coyote making his rounds.. I think we frustrated him when we woke up and started talking. By the sounds he made he did not like it.
We had a cozy night and awesome time and got to practice some useful skills... I'd call this trip a huge success. Here a a few pictures from our trip..
Firebug and I about to embark.
What we assumed was Coyote scat..
This was actually the shelter during deconstruction.
Pine boughs..
Then the mylar blanket.
Getting the walls filled in.. This helped a lot.
My buttons..
Enjoying the fruits of labor.
This was our second trip to the same location in two weeks. Our goal was to try and improve the shelter and see if we could increase the warmth through the night. We succeeded at both endeavors.
First we lowered the front of the lean-to and placed about 6-10 inches of pine needles under the tarp on the ground. Then we put fresh pine boughs on the top of the tarp then an heavy duty mylar emergency tarp on top of that with the mylar facing up. Then I closed in the sides with debris and more leaves and pine needles. Just to test myself I used buttons with all fastening to the tarp. I also tried to use several knots I've been working on like the taunt-line knot, square lashing and a noose to go around the buttons. This configuration, along with the long fire and emergency blanket reflector inside, created an almost to hot situation in our shelter. When we finally settled down I had no socks on, a light layer and was in as far as possible to get away from the heat, which was high.. Obviously after a few hours this all died down and I eventually climbed into my bag but didn't even zip it up. I kept large logs close and just leaned to feed the fire. I only had to feed the fire 1 or 2 times.. One of those times was after we were awakened by a local coyote making his rounds.. I think we frustrated him when we woke up and started talking. By the sounds he made he did not like it.
We had a cozy night and awesome time and got to practice some useful skills... I'd call this trip a huge success. Here a a few pictures from our trip..
Firebug and I about to embark.
What we assumed was Coyote scat..
This was actually the shelter during deconstruction.
Pine boughs..
Then the mylar blanket.
Getting the walls filled in.. This helped a lot.
My buttons..
Enjoying the fruits of labor.
