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The Art of Survival
Shelter Fire Signal Water Food Minimum Equipment Procedures Hypothermia Summary & Suggested Reading

Choose your campsite with care. Avoid avalanche or snowslide areas. It should be protected from the wind, if possible, but also near a large clearing suitable for ground to air signaling. An overhanging rock shelf makes an ideal shelter. In timber country where snow is deep, removing the snow from under a spruce tree will provide a quickly available shelter. Branches at snow level form the roof and branches may be cut and placed around the edges.

A snow cave may be dug in winter where snowdrifts of sufficient depth can be found. A one-man cave should be dug about 3’ wide X 7’ long and just high enough for comfort. Don’t make it any larger than necessary. Snowcaves are difficult to dig without getting wet and therefore are less desirable than other forms of shelter. However, they do offer excellent insulation. Be certain to maintain ventilation in your snow cave by making a hole in the roof. It is also advisable to arch the inside roof so water will run down the sides.  The sleeping shelf should be a foot or more above the entrance and covered with boughs or a ground cloth. Water and dirt destroy the insulating properties of clothing. Water conducts heat away from the body 27 times faster than dry, still air.

A lean-to can be made in  timbered terrain. Support is required for a ridge pole about three feet from the ground. Two upright poles or crotches in trees will provide the upright support. Limbs or branches are leaned (butt end up if they have foliage) against the ridge pole. Cross members interwoven make the lean-to more secure and help make the shelter water resistant. Thatch the roof with spruce or fir branches by placing the butt end toward the top. Complete the ends in the same manner. The lean-to may be improved by banking with snow or soil. A fire between the lean-to and reflector made of logs, stones (not from a stream bed, they may explode when heated) or a space rescue “blanket” will warm the shelter.

With shelters, plan for the worst first. Conserve and build up all resources from the beginning before greater emergencies overtake you. In applying this theory to shelters, it is obvious that the probability of early rescue should be completely disregarded. You should build the most secure and comfortable shelter that can be erected – one that will require little maintenance once it is constructed. The importance of doing the job well while you are able to do it cannot be overemphasized.

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Clothing is the shelter you wear around your body. Dress for the weather – remember it can and will change. Layers of clothing (shirts, vest, sweaters) are recommended. You put on a layer before you become chilled and take off a layer before, not after, you become perspiration damp. No matter how you get wet, from outside climatic conditions or your own body perspiration; when you’re wet you are in trouble.

Good headgear is essential. You lose up to 45 percent of your heat around your head, neck and shoulders. Winter headgear should conserve heat, breathe and be water repellent. Summer headgear should ventilate and provide shade.

The body radiates heat readily from the head and extremities. The old saying, “If your feet are cold put your hat on” is good advice. Good headgear, footwear and gloves or mittens are absolute necessities to help conserve body heat. Keep clothing clean and dry. 

Choice of footwear is critical. Choose boots suitable for the terrain, weather and amount of walking to be done. Regardless of boot type, it is important to have a change of socks (wool recommended) to prevent dampness from perspiration condensation. Sturdy leather boots are excellent footwear. Waterproofing used on leather boots should permit the leather to breathe. When boots become wet, dry slowly and carefully. Walk boots dry if conditions permit. Leather lined and insulated leather boots are extremely difficult to dry.

Rubber pac-type boots with removable felt liners are excellent footwear, but felts are difficult to dry when perspiration soaks the outer layers of felt and the inside of the boot. Some prefer the nylon or leather-topped rubber pac with the removable felt liners. The leather-topped rubber pac is superior to the all-rubber pac, especially for walking, because of the breathing qualities of leather. 

Gloves or mittens are a must even if weather is not cold. Gloves will prevent injury to the hands when breaking firewood or building a shelter. Inn extreme cold, mittens are superior to gloves. 

Some type of raingear should be carried. Remember, waterproof clothing does not breathe. A raincoat, water-repellent parka, or poncho should offer some ventilation and ease of movement. Movement should be kept at a minimum when wearing rain gear to lessen perspiration.