1. Shelter!! Your number 1 priority in harsh conditions

2. I. Things you need most A. Shelter - #1 thing in harsh environment
1. cold –just a fire with no shelter won’t do it
2. wind/rain
3. sun/heat
4. predators
B. water/fire – next most important
1. water – can go with out for 3 days
2. fire – may be needed to purify water or to keep warm
C. Food – can go 3 weeks without food

3. II. The Rule of 3s 3 minutes without 0xygen 3 days without water
3 weeks without
food

4. III. Key factors for shelter in cold weather
A. Insulation between you and the ground!
B. block wind
C. Low roof – heat rises
D. Sheds water

5. IV. Shelter location A. Shielded from weather
1. block wind on southwest side
B. Check for DEAD falls
1. limbs that can fall
2. trees that can blow over
3. rock walls that could collapse
C. Fire safe location
1. not full of dry grasses/dead pine branches

6. D. Dry
1. not in valley/depression
2. 50 yards from open water
– avoids dew
E. Warm
1. not a base of ridge/valley (cold air sinks)
2. open to sun from South (on north edge of clearing)
3. facing east to catch morning sun ( sun low in morning)

7. F. Resources
1. building materials nearby
a. large dead branches for frame/small for filler
b. bark/debris/thatch for water proofing
c. vines or grasses for cordage
2. insulating materials near by
a. leaves, grasses
b. pine boughs for bed

8. 3. Water source nearby
4. fire wood nearby
5. food source nearby
G. Comfort
1. if sloped head uphill
2. clear rocks, avoid roots
3. padded ground great – moss pine needles grasses

9. V. Shelter Size A. ‘Small is beautiful’
1. conserves energy/ rescources in building
2. easier to keep warm
B. Long enough to sleep without curling up
C. Tall enough to sit up

10. VI. Debris Hut
A. Ridgepole – thick as your arm, slightly taller you are
B. Support – Tripod of sturdy sticks, crook of tree, stump
1. entrance facing east
2. tall enough to sit up

11. C. Prop large sticks along ridgepole
1. wide enough to fit your body
2. steep enough to shed rain
D. Weave small sticks
1. horizontally
2. make framework
E. Pile leaves ferns debris
1. several feet thick
2. as thick as your arm is long

12. VII. Snow Shelters A. Main points : 1. stay dry while building
a. off damp snow
b. no sweating
2. insulation between you and snow
3. ventilation needed!
4. weather above freezing be careful of cave in!!

13. B. Snow pit – cannonball into snow bank
- cower there until storm passes
C. Snow cave – natural snow bank
1. find snow bank with crusty top
2. dig in at right angle to wind (so door won’t drift closed)
3. dig low tunnel just big enough to crawl through
4. hollow out–SMOOTH DOME taller than doorway
a. smooth wont drip on you as it melts
5. poke stick through for air hole ****keep open all night**
6. pile up snow to block door 7. Insulate floor with pine

14. D. Snow Cave – if no large drifts 1. pile up snow in dome shape
2. face door at right angle to wind if snowing
3. push sticks into snow dome to 1 foot depth
4. dig short entry tunnel
5. hollow out inside of dome
a. do not dig past ends of sticks – 1 foot thick walls
b. make inner walls smooth – no drips
6. poke air hole
7. cover up door