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Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter

Posted By: Sharp

Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/16/08 07:04 AM

After being in our old base camp for so long. Cloak was able to find a topographical map of forest park and pin pointed an nice place for us to take.

So we did a light scout hike today. We had to start from our usual entrance but we took a different trail instead. The trail veered left and right for about 2-2.5 miles before reached our area.

Our little campsite was a ways off the trail and completely concealed by prominences in the terrain itself. When we arrived we scoped the area and stopped to eat our lunches comprised of: Bagels with salsalito turkey and pepper jack cheese, apples, Clif Bars, and Skittles. After the lunch we decided to make something.

In survival the most important, and the first, thing to do is build a shelter, so naturally we did.

One of the easiest shelters to make and also one that has great insulation is a debris shelter.

So off we go. We first gathered as much of the dead branches that were scattered completely around the are. No need to waste energy chopping. We occasionally sawed sections for our frame but we also mainly just broke them by force.

We first started by jamming finding a y stick and beginning the basic part of the A-Frame. (Unfortunately, I didn't take any pictures on this but you will soon see). We also jammed a stick between the two trees that we were making the shelter near to so we actually would have room in the back. This was not a lean-on shelter so we had a little more space. After that we just began placing branches along atop the frame.

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

After we finished placing branches along the entire length of the shelter we decided to use the bark from the tree that we made it next to. The tree was a dead big leaf maple. The bark was an excellent base layer for the shelter.

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

We did this because it would give more surface area for the second layer of small twigs and branches. The small twigs and branches would help give a good texture for the third and final layer of debris insulation.

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

It's pretty cozy inside. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

It's also pretty big, here is CnD crouching by the entrance.

[Linked Image from i235.photobucket.com]

This took us around 2 hours and after that it was beginning to dark. Thus we hiked back. A quick and excellent hike.

The day was well spent. We're really glad we found a new base camp and we can't wait to return to it.
Posted By: darkaether

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/16/08 10:27 AM

That is awesome, especially if its far enough away from the trail and concealed enough that nobody will mess with it.
Posted By: Shaolin

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/16/08 04:20 PM

Very nice, good job. Hopefully no animal will take it over, lol
Posted By: Jon C

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/16/08 05:26 PM

Nice job. As a former boy scout, I've made many similar shelters! Also, it's nice to see younger guys that actually have some orienteering skills! So many people these days can't use a topo map and compass it's pathetic.
Posted By: KENKEN

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/16/08 08:55 PM

wah! very good shelter for what you could gather in the woods. The only problem is that some animal might like it too and decide to call it their home <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: Sharp

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/16/08 10:26 PM

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That is awesome, especially if its far enough away from the trail and concealed enough that nobody will mess with it.

It's really good site. The topo map has the contour lines about 100 ft apart on the trail book that CnD had. So there was a lot of variation on the ridge.

In fact there is a nice little hill between our area and the trail so we are really well concealed.

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Very nice, good job. Hopefully no animal will take it over, lol

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wah! very good shelter for what you could gather in the woods. The only problem is that some animal might like it too and decide to call it their home <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Hopefully that won't happen. Speaking of which, that means we should put some sort of door. Hmm... I'm thinking of a triangle with sticks across lashed with paracord. Make a triangle door. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

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Nice job. As a former boy scout, I've made many similar shelters! Also, it's nice to see younger guys that actually have some orienteering skills! So many people these days can't use a topo map and compass it's pathetic.

Hahahaha. I really like looking at topo maps, the contours and all are really makes sense when looking at a piece of natural land.

As for compassing the thing is that many people really only need to no which is way is true north. They don't need to know about magnetic north, bearing, coordinates, etc, etc. Though, I agree that it is a really invaluable piece of knowledge to have. Especially if one is going on a long trip.

I remembering hearing that there was a trail map in WA that was put in completely wrong. North was south, east was west. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/doh.gif" alt="" /> So many hikers probably got lost from that improperly placed map....
Posted By: BAWB

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/17/08 12:50 AM

i think doing that would be a bunch of fun but i dont really know anyone to go with or i dont really know any places to do it
Posted By: Kraz

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/20/08 07:59 AM

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In survival the most important, and the first, thing to do is build a shelter, so naturally we did.

No. In inclement weather the most important thing to do is FIND shelter, whether you build it or not.
Posted By: ordawg1

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/21/08 07:42 AM

Nice debris shelter. I live in the NW and we practice these skills on a regular basis.We also practice our fire starting skills in all kinds of weather and conditions. Great to see you guys out doing the same-Thanks for sharing .
Posted By: Sharp

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/21/08 08:13 AM

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Quote
In survival the most important, and the first, thing to do is build a shelter, so naturally we did.

No. In inclement weather the most important thing to do is FIND shelter, whether you build it or not.

Really? But what happens when you spend several hours wasting energy finding one? Wouldn't it have been better to have spent those hours making a simple (not to mention much quicker and smaller than ours) shelter? There is also the possibility of getting disoriented, traveling really far away from your LKP and decreasing your POD. Which is not really a good thing if you want to be found or get out of a survival situation.

In all respect, finding a shelter is much harder (not to mention relying on a little luck as well) then making a quick/decent shelter. Once you do get nice shelter it also means you can rest and sit out the storm.

I have tried finding shelter while it was raining heavily. I was lucky to find a small young pine that was in a small crevice a little ways of a road to rest. It wasn't totally dry, but I was in rain gear so it didn't really matter.

But, I guess in some areas finding a shelter is much easier than making one. However, in the NW it might not so much finding one. The best shelter that I can think of are small coniferous trees with a branch line beginning 2-3 feet off the ground. However, most of the forest here would probably be old growth and thus smaller trees will be hard to find. The smaller deciduous are also decent, but even scarcer.

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Nice debris shelter. I live in the NW and we practice these skills on a regular basis.We also practice our fire starting skills in all kinds of weather and conditions. Great to see you guys out doing the same-Thanks for sharing .

Thanks.

Looks like we live in the same neck of the woods. From whereabouts of OR?

I also love firemaking. Most of CnD and my fires have been made with a flint. Though, we, both, have gotten fires with bow-drills, and some decent smoke with hand drilling. And you probably no that making fires in the wind, snow, and rain isn't that hard, once you get the hang of it. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />
Posted By: ordawg1

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/21/08 08:37 AM

Looks like we live in the same neck of the woods. From whereabouts of OR?

Hi Sharp- I am over in Reedsport on the coast.I have viewed your pictures and terrain looks real familiar. Your skills however are way more advanced and I am an old guy copmpared to your group I think. I am working on my first bow drill for fire and a bit confused on the flint/steel. The folks on this board are incredible and willing to share. I really enjoy your posts- very informative !! Thanks
Posted By: macgregor

Re: Finding a New Base Camp and Making a Shelter - 11/26/08 05:37 AM

Good job, building shelter is an important skill and you guys look like you have it down pat.
I would add a leaf bed though, if you plan on spending the night.

I havent built a good shelter in awhile.
I will have to build a hide this weekend before hunting starts, I will take picures if/when I do it.
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