The Whelen shelter

[Tom Gold]

First saw one of these on pinterest last year and have wanted to have a go at making one since. I much prefer a tarp to a tent but have found that using one in 'lean to' mode leads to spark burns in my nylon DD tarps.
Last week I put this set up together using the base of an abandoned 4 person tent and a big raggedy polytarp which had been left in my local woods. Its not exactly true to the original but it worked very well. It was a dry night followed by an early morning downpour but the shelter enabled me to keep the fire going and enjoy a brew while I waited for the rain to stop.
I'll be making a few mods and changes but I'm looking forward to using this set up a few more times this winter.

Here's the original with Col. Whelen himself

And here's a short video of how the shelter worked out overnight

[video=youtube;DF0pY-JMvO4]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DF0pY-JMvO4[/video]

 

[Man of Tanith]

I keep looking at this as a shelter option.
Im seriously tempted.
Have you read his book co written with bradford angiers?

 

[crosslandkelly]

Thanks for sharing that, I will have to give the Whelen shelter a go.

 

[Macaroon]

See here [http://www.americangrouch.com/2012/01/bringing-whelen-into-21st-century.html] for an interesting article by a Yank who made one and wrote about the process.

 

[tsitenha]

I have a bit smaller version of this shelter, adapted a mosquito netting to the open.
Not only read but have the book of B. Angiers an Col. Whelen, plus many other from B. Angiers.

 

[richardhomer]

Thanks for sharing. I like your idea.

 

[sandbender]

Thanks for this, interesting idea.

 

[forginhill]

Nice job....looks like it was a successful experiment....shelters are a fascinating topic.

 

[Whittler Kev]

dude