Debris shelter

It is the end of January and a good time to talk about shelters. Remember the priorities of staying alive, shelter is first. Hypothermia can happen in less than 3 hours in the right ( or wrong )  conditions. The properly built debris shelter can be made with no tools and with all natural materials. With 3' of debris it will keep you alive down to 10 degrees. I have slept in them down to 10 and I stayed pretty warm. 

Shelter location is very important. It needs to face east; the morning sun warms the entrance and 95% of our weather systems come from the west so you don't want the wind and snow blowing in the door. The edge of the woods and field is best - there's not enough sun in the deep woods and there is a chance of limbs and trees falling on the shelter. If it is too far out in a field, the sun and wind could be too intense and it is harder to find enough materials ( in a short time ) to complete the shelter. Building on a ridge or knoll is best for drainage, creek bottoms are damp and cold ( ever ride a motorcycle and feel the temperature drop in every creek bottom ? ) and you risk the chance of flooding. Never build too close to your drinking source for obvious reasons. This will cover the location requirements. Next month we will start construction.