Shelter on the Fly!

You're far from home and a storm's coming. Dark clouds swirl fervently and a cool drop of water shocks your warm skin. All you've got is a knife, muti-tool, and 30 feet of nylon rope. Soon you'll be in a torrential downpour and you need to find or make a dry place.

Location: North American coniferous forest - Michigan: haven for camping enthusiasts!
Temperature: State average of 44 degrees fahrenheit.
Time: Afternoon - it'll be dark in under two hours.

If you'd prefer a different scenario, go for it. I'd like to see how resourceful the users of Camp Forums are!

 

1) Find two trees close together
2) Find a small straight branch (preferably dead) longer than the space between the trees
3) Lash the branch to the trees about 4 feet from the ground (have the cord wrap around the branch at about 3 inch loops)
4) Clean out the ground between the tree and fill with something soft (leave/pine needles)
5) Get some leafy branches and stick under the loops on the cross branch. Use long enough leafy branches so they flair out to the ground on either side giving you a sheltered spot between the trees.

This may be hard to do this fast if the rain is approaching. Better to have done it in advance if you knew you were going to stay at that spot or BRING A THIN TARP!

 

Bring a couple of large garden sized trash bags. That's your shelter when you need it fast.