Best Type of Survival Shelter?

**DaddyLongLegs** · 02-27-2014, 06:50 PM

For the past couple years I have been working on survival skills and have made several shelters with some help, including a basic debris hut, a small form of a wikiup and a mandan which was never completely finished. I have been wondering what everyones opinions are on what the best shelter that you can make that take into account warmth, time to construct, movement area and number of people.

**Rick** · 02-27-2014, 06:54 PM

You really have to consider your environment. That will pretty much determine what type of shelter(s) you can create.

**DaddyLongLegs** · 02-27-2014, 07:06 PM

Ok then how about for North East Winters

**hunter63** · 02-27-2014, 08:53 PM

My favorite is a log cabin, take a little longer but is warmer and last longer.
Need about 20 Sq. ft. per person, so plan accordingly.

**randyt** · 02-27-2014, 10:15 PM

I've often wondered what would make the best primitive shelter for a cold rainy environment.

**DaddyLongLegs** · 02-27-2014, 10:49 PM

With the log cabin what materials would you use to fill in the gaps between each section of wood so that air cant get in? Would you only use the things that you would find or would you have to go out and buy nails and roof materials?

**hunter63** · 02-27-2014, 10:55 PM

Trimming and notching gets ya close....moss and mud for chinking.

Lots of ways.....You need to look up log cabin building.

http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...ld-a-log-cabin

**randyt** · 02-27-2014, 10:56 PM

you can use sphagnum moss for chinking and bark for roofing.

**DaddyLongLegs** · 02-27-2014, 11:09 PM

The log cabin is definitely one of the best shelters for the long term that you can find.

When I recently built my take on the wikiup I used three large sections of of pine and tied them together to make a tripod about 8' tall and 7' wide at each corner. I then tied logs between each of the tripods connecting them. Then I simply laid branches and sections of pine across the beams until it surrounded the shelter on all sides leaving room for a door. I then decided to add on two debris hut extensions by tying long sections of pine to the crossbeams. and then layed sticks across to look like this https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i..._bbGsB0TEXARcd . Then I covered it all with leaves which took a lot to insulate. I was able to comfortably sleep 2 and Im 6'6 so if I can fit in it most people can and I was able to squat in it but not stand. This shelter took much more time than the basic debris huts due to the sheer amount of extra leaves I needed to insulate but its pretty nice now. I did this in roughly 12 hours of work so it is a relatively time efficient but not long lasting shelter like the log cabin is.

Ended looking very similar to this except with the two sleeping chambers on both sides.

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...bt5V_KFscsjZtg

**DaddyLongLegs** · 02-27-2014, 11:16 PM

The log cabin is definitely one of the best long term shelters that you can make. As for short term shelters, this past winter I made my own version of a wikiup which looked similar to this https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/i...bt5V_KFscsjZtg except a lot more leaves and then attached two debris huts onto both sides for sleeping. It was pretty nice and only took about 12 hours to make and one other person and I could fit comfortably inside.

**aktrekker** · 02-28-2014, 12:47 AM

With something like a wiki you can have a fire inside.
Otherwise a standard debris shelter. Copy the squirrels. Make it larger than needed on the inside and stuff it full of dry grasses and leaves so you can barely crawl inside. It will settle, but will still be small inside. Just enough room to fit, plenty of insulation inside and out, you will be warm and dry.

**Rivershot** · 02-28-2014, 06:22 AM

Originally Posted by hunter63

My favorite is a log cabin, take a little longer but is warmer and last longer.
Need about 20 Sq. ft. per person, so plan accordingly.

People or sardines?

**Rick** · 02-28-2014, 07:58 AM

I think you're looking for a simple answer that really doesn't exist. What is the purpose of the shelter? Are you there for long term or are you looking for something for a night or two? Are you restricted to only natural materials you can forage or will you have some material, such as a tarp, with you? For your NE Winter if your snow is deep enough then a simple tree pit might be the most expedient. A snow mound igloo might also work. If snowfall isn't deep enough to accommodate then a simple leanto built onto a something like the butt of a fallen tree, boulder or rock outcrop. You can even build an earth berm shelter for longer term stays. Gosh, you can build a complete stone house in a few hours (there's a story behind that last one).

The right answer, in my opinion, is you have to look at the environment you are in, what materials you have available, what your needs are in terms of shelter and then choose the best options you have with the available material.

**Lamewolf** · 02-28-2014, 08:15 AM

Originally Posted by randyt

you can use sphagnum moss for chinking and bark for roofing.

Followed by a generous layer of sod over the bark to help insulate !

**randyt** · 02-28-2014, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Lamewolf

Followed by a generous layer of sod over the bark to help insulate !

I'm thinking about building a sod igloo this summer and see how well it takes a frog strangling rain or at least a toad floating rain.

**ClayPick** · 02-28-2014, 08:41 AM

Bullrushes make an excellent thatched roof.

**hunter63** · 02-28-2014, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by Rivershot

People or sardines?

Actually this was one of the numbers you came across if you Google "square feet per person".....put out by FEMA, and many other organizations as far as required for tornado, housed bars offices....so pick your poison.

Like all other angles of answering a general, "What is the Best Shelter?".......The answers are as many, and varied as there are people, opinions, materials, time, and desired out come.
No other parameters were given, so I just took that, as what ever I thought was appropriate.

I like a log cabin, and was looking for the clip of an episode that showed Marty building a "throw up line cabin" for his trap line in Alaska.
Mountain men of old did the dug out, or "shebang" type cabin for long term shelter.........
Guests can not see images in the messages. Please register in the forum.

Used some corner making techniques and log smoothing thought was interesting.... was able to throw it up, with another guy, in a couple of days.

**natertot** · 02-28-2014, 11:12 AM

Like Rick said, it depends on what's available. What natural environment, weather conditions, tools available, injuries & sickness, and situation? Might just sleep under a pine tree next to a fire, if circumstances allowed.