How to Make a Shelter in the Wilderness
Have the right materials., Find a good location., Tie a line between the two trees., Hang your tarp over the line., Secure the edges of your tarp.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Have the right materials.
To build a makeshift tent, you’ll need rope or a line of some kind to string between two trees, a tarp or poncho to hang on the rope, and something to anchor the tarp to the ground.
If you don’t already have these materials available, you won’t be able to build the makeshift tent.
If you don’t have any rope or string, you can use a strong branch propped between the two trees several feet above the ground.
You will need some way to keep the branch firmly attached to your trees, whether it is some string for lashing the branch to the trunk, or a notch in the tree that will support the branch. -
Step 2: Find a good location.
A makeshift tent will require two sturdy trees located a few feet apart.
The trees should be far enough so you can comfortably lay down between them, but not so far apart that you cannot tie your rope between them without running out. , A clove hitch is a good knot to secure the rope to each tree and prevent slipping.
Make sure the rope is taught and low to the ground.
You want as little space as possible under the tarp to help keep in warmth.If you are using a stick or branch, make sure you secure it to the tree as low to the ground as possible to trap heat.
If you are in snowy winter weather, you can secure the rope a little higher up the tree to create steeper walls on your tent.
The steeper walls will let the snow fall off more easily.
Collected snow is heavy, and your tent could collapse if too much accumulates. , Your support brace (the rope or branch) should be low enough so that that tarp reaches the ground on both sides.
Make sure to stretch it tight to keep extra air out of your sleeping space.
Spread the edges as wide apart as possible to keep the tarp taught. , Make sure your tarp is held on to the ground.
Heavy objects like large rocks or logs should be enough to hold it in place.If you have additional rope and some stakes (or a few sharpened sticks), you can use these items to secure a tarp with grommets.
Run some rope through each grommet to pull the tarp taught, and warp around stakes you have driven into the ground.
If you don’t have any rope, you can drive the stakes right through the grommets. -
Step 3: Tie a line between the two trees.
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Step 4: Hang your tarp over the line.
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Step 5: Secure the edges of your tarp.
Detailed Guide
To build a makeshift tent, you’ll need rope or a line of some kind to string between two trees, a tarp or poncho to hang on the rope, and something to anchor the tarp to the ground.
If you don’t already have these materials available, you won’t be able to build the makeshift tent.
If you don’t have any rope or string, you can use a strong branch propped between the two trees several feet above the ground.
You will need some way to keep the branch firmly attached to your trees, whether it is some string for lashing the branch to the trunk, or a notch in the tree that will support the branch.
A makeshift tent will require two sturdy trees located a few feet apart.
The trees should be far enough so you can comfortably lay down between them, but not so far apart that you cannot tie your rope between them without running out. , A clove hitch is a good knot to secure the rope to each tree and prevent slipping.
Make sure the rope is taught and low to the ground.
You want as little space as possible under the tarp to help keep in warmth.If you are using a stick or branch, make sure you secure it to the tree as low to the ground as possible to trap heat.
If you are in snowy winter weather, you can secure the rope a little higher up the tree to create steeper walls on your tent.
The steeper walls will let the snow fall off more easily.
Collected snow is heavy, and your tent could collapse if too much accumulates. , Your support brace (the rope or branch) should be low enough so that that tarp reaches the ground on both sides.
Make sure to stretch it tight to keep extra air out of your sleeping space.
Spread the edges as wide apart as possible to keep the tarp taught. , Make sure your tarp is held on to the ground.
Heavy objects like large rocks or logs should be enough to hold it in place.If you have additional rope and some stakes (or a few sharpened sticks), you can use these items to secure a tarp with grommets.
Run some rope through each grommet to pull the tarp taught, and warp around stakes you have driven into the ground.
If you don’t have any rope, you can drive the stakes right through the grommets.
About the Author
Angela Hamilton
Writer and educator with a focus on practical lifestyle knowledge.
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