One of the most challenging decisions to make when you’re bugging out is what type of shelter you will have to make. Assess your needs – how long do you need your shelter? Will it be your home for a week, or for months? What is the most appropriate shelter for your climate and weather conditions? What resources do you have available?
An A-frame shelter is one of the most common shelters for survivalists. It is built by constructing two support branches, and using a long wooden pole or branch that acts as the “backbone” of the structure.
One end is placed on the support branches, while the other end stays on the ground. You can then use tree bark, leaves, and branches to cover the sides of the shelter and provide protection against the elements.
To learn how to make your own A-frame, check out the video on the next page!
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This is actually much more difficult than it appears in videos. No such thing as ‘perfect’ logs just lying around in the woods. Chopping out notches takes a lot of time. It’s not just going to happen in an afternoon. Make a temporary shelter first; it won’t be pretty but it will be functional. Then start on the A-frame, take your time and do it right. Re-cut pieces that don’t fit right. Crisis could be over by the time you finish this A-frame!
I agree on the hole but consider this:
His shelter was entirely usable by the 4 minute mark, and could be built up to that in 2 days. By the 7 minute mark, it would keep you warm in some pretty cold nights, and would probably take another week to do. The chimney was questionable, but could be completed in another 2 weeks between getting food and camp chores.
It seems to me that two people could complete this shelter together in less than a month under the idea of “Well, we’re still here, might as well improve the house.”
Well…I’m presuming a person attempting this going to be prepared. They would have a saw, axe, knife, etc. With or without cordage. The people unprepared is not who were are addressing. I know I can put up a ridge line and tarp inside 60 seconds and be out of the weather. I would use that setup to do a good, better job on the A-frame until it was ready. So, yes, I could use the ridgeline of the A-frame and the same tarp and it would be about the same. But I’m prepared with 550 cord and tarp within 60 seconds. I would definitely prefer a decked out A-fame! That’s smoothing it!
Beautiful work. Lets hope a spark from the fireplace doesn’t ignite the 500 lbs of leaves encasing him.
nice work….a little bit of explanation of your methods along the way would be great!
Matt Gamel