Debris Hut Construction

[RedJohn]

Here is a fun project that you can get the kids to do. It will help them to get into the "survival spirit" and there isn't much danger. It can also help take the edge off of fear and give them some experience.

A strong ridge pole and a good location are the first steps to the debris hut. Make sure the area is high and dry to avoid any problems with water drainage during a storm. The area was checked for abundance of material and possible hazards. (i.e. poisonous plants, insets, dead-falls, widow-makers, etc.) Direction is noted for the door. Look closely; you may find my tracks in a thin layer of debris under the ridgepole.

http://www.shtfready.com/images/redjohn/shelter/debris1.jpg

Next, sticks are placed as ribbing along both sides of the ridge pole. This is done after I have laid down and measured the interior. Note the door opening near the sapling facing east or slightly southeast.

http://www.shtfready.com/images/redjohn/shelter/debris2.jpg

Still more sticks are placed to hold the debris up. More dry debris is also stuffed in the interior for comfortable bedding that lifts you off the cold ground. This is also a good time to roof off your entryway by placing four forked sticks into the ground at the desired height, and ribbing the top with a network of sticks.

http://www.shtfready.com/images/redjohn/shelter/debris3.jpg

Start piling on debris thick and high. Note the steep walls for shedding water.

http://www.shtfready.com/images/redjohn/shelter/debris4.jpg

The finished product! The walls are about 2 feet thick, good for a 20 degree night. This was probably my 10th debris hut. It took about 2 hours from start to finish. The rather speedy time (for me anyway) was no doubt due to the extraordinary abundance of material in this beautiful transition forest.

http://www.shtfready.com/images/redjohn/shelter/debris5.jpg

[The Stig]

Now that is flat cool. Thanks for sharing it. I can see how something like this could be useful in a couple of different ways.

Hope it doesn't get windy while you are in there.

[bacpacker]

Very cool hut. I need to try building one of those and try different techniques with it. That would be super useful depending on the situation.

[faster]

must know info, but I try to always have my Mylar bag, hammock, ground sheet, bug netting,and 2 poncho "tent" (slung over a suspended cord and weighted/staked-down.) Saves me gobs of time and effort. :-)

[izzyscout21]

why cant I see the pictures?

[mitunnelrat]

We've disabled them in your case in an effort to save bandwidth. The consensus being you were likely hiding in the bushes and watching anyway! ;)

[izzyscout21]

haha!! I guess something's wrong with my binoculars.

[mitunnelrat]

lol! It is a good question though, I can't see them anymore either.

[bacpacker]

Rat sounds like you got Izzy hung up in the bushes :).

Faster what do you use the ground sheet for with the hammock? Just tryin to figure that out.

The debris hut is a warm shelter, very good for winter or cold weather. Not so much in hot weather, due to lack of ventilation.

[helomech]

I want to see the pics. Please fix the pictures

[Stormfeather]

Pics issue, cant see them

[Sniper-T]

there's a couple good websites out about them:

How to Build a Debris Hut Shelter in the Wilderness | eHow.com (http://www.ehow.com/how_12578_build-debris-hut.html)

Outdoor survival shelter (http://www.wilderness-survival-skills.com/outdoorsurvivalshelter.html)

Debris Hut Construction (http://www.wildernesscollege.com/debris-hut.html)

Debris Hut (http://www.wildwoodsurvival.com/survival/shelter/debrishut/ds2004/index.html)

[RedJohn]

All fixed up.

[izzyscout21]

nice RJ! I remember making those in the Scouts. Also made one in SERE. Worked well till they caught me in it...............

[Stormfeather]

Very nice, we call these Yeti-Huts, never knew there was an actual name for them!

[Kodiak]

Very cool, now i need to get outside and try my hand at it.

Question, RJ, having made 10 debris huts, what is the time difference for construction between the 1st and last hut you have made?

[shtfsurvivalist]

I built one of these with the kids a while back and you're right they absolutely loved it.