It’s probably a good idea to invest in a real tent if you ever plan on camping; they naturally offer the best protection against tough weather conditions. However, if you ever find yourself without a real shelter, resourcefulness will come in handy. With a little creativity, you can create your own shelter using a few supplies.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
In general, you should always bring some basic multifunctional equipment with you, such as the following:
1. Covers: Preferably wind and waterproof, like a poncho, ground sheet, plastic sheet or fly sheet. If you do not have any of these materials, it’s best to move along and find natural shelter, as it will provide better protection.
2. Ropes/Lines: You will also need rope or a line/wire of some sort to create a stand-alone shelter. Bring a good length of strong rope with you whenever you camp.
3. Poles/Supports: The combination of a sheet, rope, poles, and fixed natural objects will allow you to create a makeshift shelter. Use loose branches, rocks, trees, or even walking sticks to secure your “tent” in place.
BUILDING TECHNIQUES
Once you have all the necessary supplies, you can begin constructing an improvised shelter by following a few basic tips. In general, use a combination of resistance building and weight anchoring to create a strong, sturdy anchor point.
1. Connect the Rope To A Sheet: A sheet with no grommets will most likely tear if you poke holes into in. Thus, it’s a better idea to leave the sheet whole. Then find a smooth and solid object, such as a rock, to wrap your sheet around. Tie you line around the sheet, underneath the object to trap it into place. This will serve as an anchor.
2. Line Anchors: An ideal location to build your tent is near a location with natural anchor points, such as trees or bush. If there are none surrounding you, use rocks or branches as anchors instead. You have several
a. Form a looped anchor by finding a Y-shaped branch and digging both ends into the ground.
b. Tie the line to the center of a stick and then dig a hole. Anchor the stick by securing it to the wall of the hole, and bury it afterwards. You may also secure it down with a large rock.
NATURAL SHELTERS
Alas, if you do not have any materials on you, search for natural shelters. Large trees offer good protection from wind and rain, although you should avoid staying near the trunk in the event of a lightning storm. The same rule applies for the bottom of rock faces. If you find a cave, do not venture to far into it.
