An Open Shelter

We always camp in an open shelter (something like this) with an open fire out the front. So warm and cozy even on cold, wet days. This shelter is very easy to make. It consists of a square of Tyvek ‘Homewrap’ (available Bunnings in 30 metre rolls) 8’ x 8’ square.

The ‘wings’ consist of another square the same size cut in half. One of these can be cut right off the roll; the other has to be sewn or stuck on (using Tyvek tape). (You end up with an isosceles triangle @ 16′ x 23′ x 16’on which you pitch like this. You can bring the ‘wings’ in towards the tree if rain/wind moves around to that direction – which it almost never does!).

The tie-outs are tarp holders from Aussie Disposals. You can just as easily make it from a blue poly tarp but it is not quite so immune to embers. I had half a dozen of them in drums in various bush camps (along with a billy, plate, fishing kit… and various odds and ends so i didn’t have to carry them in each time i went for a weekend oir multi-day hunt. many of them were burned ot (alas) by the fires we had last autumn (See: The Seventieth Birthday Platypus).

I will be renewing some of them  possibly with a lighter version based on my Deer Hunter’s Tent#2 and some I will be relocating. There will also be new ones at my new hunting site: The Valley of the Deer. Though they will be smaller there was pretty much never any more than a couple of us (plus dogs) present so the new shelter will be big enough. I am also planning a new way of heating it/them (See Mostly Perspiration) which will use much less wood – and will generate electricity, but that is another story.

 I have camped in open shelters of one kind or another (with a fire out the front) for well over sixty years. The tyvek ones in the photos have been in use for around twenty years during which time i have slept in them for hundreds of nights through all sorts of weather including torrential rain, violent thunderstorms, snow, floods, gales, etc and in extremes of temperature (down to -20C at least). as you can see, I am still here.

You do not need a tent. A tent is a much poorer and less congenial form of shelter. Why not make yourself a $10 Poly Tarp Shelter and give it a try? You might want to make yourself an ultralight saw to cut the tent pole with. Or a Hobo Stove to do your cooking on.

First Published on: May 27, 2014

See Also:

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/how-to-light-a-fire-in-the-wet/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/rope-dont-leave-home-without-it/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/finding-your-way/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-lie-of-the-land/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-importance-of-a-roof/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/carry-a-knife/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/if-you-could-only-carry-two-things-in-the-bush-what-would-they-be/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/ultralight-poncho-tent/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/the-pocket-poncho-tent/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/naismiths-rule/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/weather-lore/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/walking-the-line/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/follow-your-nose/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/how-long-till-sundown/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/man-is-the-measure-of-all-things-pythagoras-some-handy-estimation-tricks/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/how-to-avoid-being-wet-cold-while-camping/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/fire-on-the-snow/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/river-crossings/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/an-open-shelter/

http://www.theultralighthiker.com/raincoat-shelter/