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Under adverse conditions shelter can be essential to survival. In any case a good shelter will always be a morale boost, think how much better you feel after a good night's sleep. Here are some basic shelter designs which should not be beyond the skills of most people.

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HASTY SHELTER

When you just want to get out of the elements for a little while, one of these maybe the answer, they provide minimal protection and could never be described as comfortable, but they may make the difference between life and death if you are too tired or injured to construct anything more elaborate.

Bough Shelter Look for branches that sweep to the ground or fallen boughs that offer protection from the wind-ensure they are secure enough not to fall on you though! You may want to secure them by lashing (see diagram). Weave in other branches to add supplmental protection, conifers are more suited to this technique than broad leaves.

Root Shelter The spreading roots and compacted earth at the base of a fallen tree form a useful storm barrier, if they are facing the right way. Filling in the sides around the roots will increase it's potential and provide a solid base for construction of something more elaborate.

Natural Hollow A shallow depression in the earth will provide some protection from wind immediately, and provides a natural basis for construction of a shelter. However care must be taken in damp areas or on hills or you'll end up under water! Lay a few light logs across the hollow and then a larger bow across them, this will give pitch to short branches layed across the top to keep out rain. Finish with turf or twigs and leaves.

Fallen Trunk A fallen trunk alone provides a good windbreak scoop out a small hollow on the leeward side and construct a lean-to roof of boughs.

Stone Barriers A shelter is more comfortable if you have enough headroom to sit up in it. So build up a low wall of stones around a hollow or shallow excavation. Caulk the walls with mud, leaves, twigs and turf, finish with a roof of branches and turf.

Sapling Shelter If you should happen upon a growth of saplings, clear the gound between them and lash their tops together, weave branches between them and consolidate with ferns and turf. A similar effect can be gained by driving pliable branches firmly in the ground.

If you have your "bug-out" or emergency kit you should have access to some form of waterproof sheeting, throw this over the saplings and weight with stones or logs

Bashas With a waterproof poncho, groundsheet, piece of tarpaulin or plastic sheeting you can construct what is often referred to in the forces as a "basha". There are a few designs below. Remember, always use natural shelter where possible, always insulate yourself from the ground and always secure the sheeting carefully.

Tepees Best known as the homes of North American Indians, start by tying three or more uprights together to form a cone, you can tie them on the ground before erecting. Cover with hides, sheeting or panels of bich bark. Ensure you leave a hole at the top for ventilation.

Snow CaveUnder conditions of heavy snow it may be impossible to find building materials, at least not quickly enough to get you out of the elements. Fortunately snow itself provides a good building material. Dig into a drift of firm snow to make a "cave" Make use of the fact that warm air rises and cold air sinks. Make your shelter on 3 levels. Build a SMALL fire on the highest, sleep in the middle and allow the low area to trap cold air. Use a stick or ice axe to force two holes in the roof, one to allow smoke to escape another to provide ventilation, fit a packed block of snow to the door.

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