February Challenge

Discussion in 'Survival and Wilderness Skills' started by R Stowe, Feb 1, 2019.

  1. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    February can have some extreme weather changes in most places. For example, it was 11* a few nights ago and it's supposed to hit 60* this weekend. So in the name of preparedness, the challenge for this month is to build a shelter, but not just any shelter. It needs to be adequate for the temperatures you might encounter, and it needs to be able to stand up to decent precipitation. You can only use natural gathered materials and items you would normally have in your PSK or day kit. A full size tarp or tent is one thing, but building a solid winter shelter from natural materials and what you're likely to have on you is another altogether. You receive bonus cool points for unique tips or hacks and improvisation. If you spend the night in it, make sure it's adequate and you have back up gear if you stick with the PSK theme. There will be some survival kit/shelter related items awarded via random number generator at the end of the month.

    Here’s my example. I self imposed a 1 hour limit on the construction. I only used bankline, a space blanket, and some 3M Masking Film. Inside I would have added a contractor bag stuffed with leaves and ferns if I was spending the night. All total the 3 materials would fit in a cargo pocket with ease. I’ll post a full thread later, but the quick version is...

    Large enough for me to lay down in.
    Basic frame with a space blanket on top and anchored with rock/slip knots for grommets.
    Then more framing focusing on coverage for holding debri.
    Leaf litter 6-8 inches deep
    I couldn’t find any bark so I shingled it with moss to help combat wind and assist water runoff.
    Anchored the 3M film with more cowboy grommets and placed logs on the bottom.
    Not by design but I was able angle the plastic at the head to make an entrance.

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    Last edited: Feb 4, 2019
  2. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    Great challenge! Thank you R Stowe for putting up this months challenge and putting up an awesome prize for the winner.
     
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  3. Bushman5

    Bushman5 Member

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    Sweet! It’s pouring rain up here
     
  4. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    It looks like that's what the next week will be for me. I won't be able to spend the night out tomorrow, but I'm going to build a shelter at a spot on the family farm that working on a camp.
     
  5. Andy the Aussie

    Andy the Aussie Administrator of the Century Staff Member

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    B1146666266.jpg

    I will not make for an official entry, but this is perfect for February here, keeps the blistering sun off during the day and the rain off when the afternoon storm hits. Could use some more reinforcement though to deal with the wind that often comes with those summer storms... :D

    There are very few places (but certainly some) they require you to build a shelter to deal with significant snow or EXTREME cold, so it is not a skill I have. Heat and rain are probably the hardest things to manage here. Even in the dead of winter most of the places I end up -5C is considered BLOODY COLD.

    I look forward to seeing what you guys come up with though !
     
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  6. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    You just have to make sure you guy that thing out. They’ll take your head off if they take off in the wind.
     
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  7. Bushman5

    Bushman5 Member

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    Ya gotta come up to the Summit of Hwy 5 here for a camp over in a giant super shelter. -35 c outside , 40 c inside
     
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  8. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    Bump for my example
     
  9. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    Not an entry but wanted to play.

    Winter day pack.

    Cook kit
    Tarp and stakes
    Contractor bag
    Fak
    Carabiner and cord
    Poop kit
    Poncho
    Fire kit
    Snow shovel
    Snowshoes
    Poles
    Water bottle
    Kit bag full of other goodies
    Other stuff i likely forgot about

    Put up the tarp and had to bury sticks in snow perpendicular to the ties and compact it. Made for a great anchor. Bit of a learning curve to get the tarp where i wanted it. Still not happy but time was a factor. Used the poles underneath as a just in case snow break. Chose a spot under two entangled trees and it seemed like most of the snow wouldnt hit me if it fell. The contractor bag was nice to have and if i was allowed to i would harvest spruce limbs and insulate the floor with them. Built up the sides and compacted them around the tarp to help with a wind break.

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  10. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    Nice @Strigidae that’s one of my favorite tarp configurations for a hammock in rough weather.
     
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  11. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    Just a bump for the challenge. I'll be including some cordage, 3M plastic, a mylar blanket, and a mystery item for the winner.
     
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  12. Bushman5

    Bushman5 Member

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    i think these guys win :)

     
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  13. Strigidae

    Strigidae Administrator Staff Member

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    Train to live. Get out there and make a shelter and win some cool gear!
     
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  14. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    Anybody getting out this weekend to work on it?
     
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  15. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    I was gonna ride my fat bike into the mountains and build a snow shelter for the night.

    But now I'm going to Arizona instead. :D
     
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  16. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    Might find plenty of snow there as well from what I'm seeing.
     
  17. Bushman5

    Bushman5 Member

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    Hopefully getting paid Friday so I’ll have fuel funds . Want to get out to Manning Park for some snowshoeing in 10’ deep dry snow and -30 C temps . Bringing the avalanche shovel , will hopefully get to build a classic snow / brush shelter
     
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  18. Hammer

    Hammer Member

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    Ha, yeah, I saw that. Pretty ironic. I'll take an extra layer. And I'm sure I'll see people there is full length down jackets and insulated Ugg boots walking dogs with coats on them. :D
     
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  19. DYSPHORIC JOY

    DYSPHORIC JOY Administrator Staff Member

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  20. R Stowe

    R Stowe Moderator Staff Member

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    @DYSPHORIC JOY yep. Guess no one wants any PSK gear. I’m looking forward to your shadow’s video.
     

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