Making a shelter

[tarheelfan]

Me and two other friends are planning on camping tomorrow night and are wanting to keep comforts items to a minimum,including a tent. we are wanting to build a natural shelter to sleep in so I was wondering if anyone had ideas of what type of shelter we should use. I live in north Alabama so the overnight low will be about 50 deg F so the weather shouldn't be too harsh.

[crashdive123]

What kind of shelters have you built in the past?

[Ken]

Something like this?

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...5-6A2A3CEC779D

[crashdive123]

Tarheelfan - the reason I asked the question that I did is because if I were to tell you to build x, y or z shelter and had no idea what I was talking about, or how to build it, it would do you very little good for a trip tomorrow afternoon (leaving in about 12 - 14 hours?). For such short notice, constructing something you are familiar with and maybe practicing something else (and maybe even sleeping in it) would be the way to go IMO.

[tarheelfan]

crashdive123 What kind of shelters have you built in the past?

I've built a basic one person A frame shelter and a one person lean-to. I'm just unsure about frame structure for anything larger than a one person shelter. Any info you have will be helpful

Ken Something like this?

http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Proper...5-6A2A3CEC779D

Yeah, something along them lines but with a lighter color scheme and better amenities...lol

[Ken]

Yeah, something along them lines but with a lighter color scheme and better amenities...lol

Yep. I've been trumped.

[crashdive123]

With the weather conditions that your describe, a simple lean-to should work just fine. Just have to make it a bit bigger than you probably did before. If you want something big enough for all three of you to sleep in and don't mind bringing some shelter material - bring some visqueen or tyvek and just string a line between 2 trees.

[Deer Sniper]

Three guys. My knee jerk comment is just build it longer. In effect three one man lean-tos side by side since that's what your used to . Or seprate, facing a single common fire in the middle.

[tarheelfan]

Ok thanks. I appreciate the info. I'll probably go with the idea of stringing a line. I havent done that before and it'll be interesting to try something new.

[Ken]

With the weather conditions that your describe, a simple lean-to should work just fine. Just have to make it a bit bigger than you probably did before. If you want something big enough for all three of you to sleep in and don't mind bringing some shelter material - bring some visqueen or tyvek and just string a line between 2 trees.

Crash, I never thought of using Tyvek. Do you know if it's available in larger sizes like tarps, or does it just come in relatively narrow width rolls? I googled it and did a quick search but couldn't find anything on point.

[crashdive123]

Tarheelfan - here's a link to demonstrate the basha set-up (stringing a line between 2 trees) that I described. The link is short, and kind of intended as a funny portrayal (if you're a Benny Hill fan). I in no way am making light of your question, but thought this showed rather quickly what I was desribing. Besides - I like the music. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeMw8lAf0ew

[crashdive123]

Crash, I never thought of using Tyvek. Do you know if it's available in larger sizes like tarps, or does it just come in relatively narrow width rolls? I googled it and did a quick search but couldn't find anything on point.

Think "house wrap". 10 ft wide in a roll about 100 ft or more long. They may make it wider - not sure. If you're near a building site they'll probably give you a 10 x 10 or a bit larger piece.

[Ken]

Think "house wrap". 10 ft wide in a roll about 100 ft or more long. They may make it wider - not sure. If you're near a building site they'll probably give you a 10 x 10 or a bit larger piece.

Or, I could just swipe one of those brand-new-still-in-the-package tyvek suits my son has stashed in his room. Wouldn't even have to set it up. Kinda' like a walking shelter.

[crashdive123]

Yep - I use them from time to time. They're like sauna suits in the summer time.

[Ken]

Yep - I use them from time to time. They're like sauna suits in the summer time.

That's why you guys make the big bucks.

[gryffynklm]

The tyvek house wrap by me is sold by the full roll. If you are near any construction sites you might ask the site manager.

BTW tyvek brilliant idea. water proof and hard to tear.

Hers is a site i just found by googleding Tyvek Tarp. It describes how to prepare the tyvek for use as a shelter. Apparently when it is new it is kind of loud in the wind. THey describe it as something rolling around on a drum.
http://www.geocities.com/amytys/Tyvek.htm

check ebay some one is selling tyvek tarps at 9' width by your requested length.

[tarheelfan]

I liked the video lol. It's a simple idea but believe me I could find a way to make it difficult. I'll try to take some pics and post whatever we come up with out there.thanks again

[crashdive123]

I liked the video lol. It's a simple idea but believe me I could find a way to make it difficult. I'll try to take some pics and post whatever we come up with out there.thanks again

Good deal. Enjoy yourself. Looking forward to the pics.

[grundle]

If you have more than one person and some time, I say you guys ought to be a little ambitious. Try and do something like a frame shelter with a fire reflector.

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[Stairman]

Im a big fan of a double lean-to.Just like grundles picture but tie another horizontal pole on the otherside of the trees so it appears as a pup tent.You can enclose the sides and build a fire in the middle.Smoke goes out the top and heat is reflected within.Lots of room for firewood etc.