Winter Natural shelters?

[Man of Tanith]

Looking for some inspiration with natural shelters that could be made in the UK during winter?
Any suggestions? Obviously there's the pine lean too that Mr Mears used but wondered what others were using?

 

[John Fenna]

I have spent a few nights in Snow Caves in the Cairngorms ...

 

[Man of Tanith]

Thats only an option if it snows a decent amount but thank you John.
It'll be mostly deciduous ancient woodland in England (should o mentioned that in first post)

 

[Ivan...]

Hi Sam, just one idea, at the last meet we decided on a winter shelter, so basic dead branch and twig, graduating and all we had was leaf matter, took some effort, but cozy warm and waterproof, walls ended up being 2 feet thick plus! And same was used for the floor, a little claustrophobic but feet in first not a problem, 2 of the guys slept in it alternate nights (temp just below freezing and were fine)

Hazel twist thatching type pegs, just in case the wind got up but didnot move an inch.

Ivan...

 

[John Fenna]

Thats only an option if it snows a decent amount but thank you John.
It'll be mostly deciduous ancient woodland in England (should o mentioned that in first post)

Trust an effete Southerner to think the SE is the whole of the UK...
I think Ivan,s idea is the best option for you - debris shelters of all sorts of designs can be very cozy

 

[Man of Tanith]

Well it was a general question but with an ulterior motive for my own reference and use

I'd be wanting a fire I reckon which may not go well with the debris shelter very safely

 

[John Fenna]

I'd be wanting a fire I reckon which may not go well with the debris shelter very safely

Picky, picky - I guess a lean-to then

 

[Man of Tanith]

Youth of today John. ..no morality no respect.
Thanks for the advice

 

[Ivan...]

Ok! Then, this another option i did back in the summer, not season dependant, if you go somewhere there is moisture, you may have the option of sphagnum moss, which is moist, so with this configuration you can have a fire relatively close, i loved this one, was there all day for a picnic, but did not get chance to camp, on the 2014 agenda!

Depth not so important, as it is dense tuff and has very good insulation.

Ivan...

 

[crosslandkelly]

Had a couple of nights in this a few years ago in Dorset. With a long fire and a reflector, I was toasty all night. Mind you it was, early spring and I was surrounded by Ramsons.

View attachment 26690 View attachment 26691

 

[copper_head]

I've spent a couple of nights in a group debris shelter on a course (like this one) we had a fire small fire going inside. Might be an option if you have the materials?

The only other time I've slept in a debris shelter we built a double lean-to type affair. Definitely toasty with the fire going. You could block up the windward side to make it nice and snug. Only used for one night so we cheated and used bashas to finish it off but you get the idea.

 

[spiritwalker]

big wooden poles and maybe make a teepee? shoot several hundred rabbits for a nice fur wall, i guess it all depends on how much time you want to put in to it, lean to is probably favourite though.

 

[Goatboy]

Thats only an option if it snows a decent amount but thank you John.
It'll be mostly deciduous ancient woodland in England (should o mentioned that in first post)

Morning Mate, not strictly true that statement. If you roll a ball of snow about for a while till it's pretty big, then roll it up against a wall, rock face or the likes then hollow it out; taking the snow from the inside and adding it to the outside (if you catch my drift - (see what I did there?)). This builds a shelter big enough to shelter in and will protect you from the elements.

It does work, have built them and slept overnight in them when caught out. Though a properly formed snow cave is much nicer and it does depend as ever on the snow type, fresh sugar snow is pretty pants to be honest. But if that happens I just cut open a Tauntaun with my lightsabre!

 

[Man of Tanith]

I thought they smelt bad on the outside. ....

I hadnt thought o the snowball idea thanks muchly.

Wonders of this forum you get all sorts of ideas

 

[Goatboy]

I thought they smelt bad on the outside. ....

I hadnt thought o the snowball idea thanks muchly.

Wonders of this forum you get all sorts of ideas

Have spent many a happy night in snow caves, the reflected light from a candle making it comfortable and appealing. Quite magical.

 

[rik_uk3]

If I'm up to it next year I'll have a go at making

[video=youtube;NGSC8iYhC7k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGSC8iYhC7k[/video]

 

[Man of Tanith]

Thats definitely one on my to try list Richard.

Have you seen the one Mors made which is on a sledge or travois? So it can be dragged along from campsite to campsite?

 

[dwardo]

Lot of work but a pentagon shaped lean-to is fantastic in the winter but its not something you can nock up in one weekend.
Being completely enclosed with a fire in the center makes it shorts weather at any time of the year.
Cant seem to find any decent pictures.

 

[rik_uk3]

Thats definitely one on my to try list Richard.

Have you seen the one Mors made which is on a sledge or travois? So it can be dragged along from campsite to campsite?

Not seen that yet. He built a polythene lined shelter at the 06 moot, he's a fan of the stuff, lightweight and waterproof and can be reused. If things had gone to plan Nigel and I were going to build a big bender shelter this year using polythene then covered with a parachute(s); next year maybe.

 

[Man of Tanith]

Its on his shelters dvd.
Think it's one geared towards places like his country where there is significant reliable snowfall but it looks a great one to try