Fundamentally, a shelter can come in a multitude of shapes, sizes and the sky is the limit when it comes to building materials. As we all know, hour homes can be some of the safest and comfortable places to live. However, when traveling or enjoying outdoor adventures anyone who has spent time knows and can attest to the weather turning on a dime. Whether it is an unforeseen rainstorm, heavy winds, fog or even a surprise snowstorm. If you spend enough time outdoors you will experience one of these challenges of nature. Being prepared for them can be vital to survival, safety and longevity. Whether it is taking your poncho off and making a small single-personal shelter, tent or even a tarp, these are all great pieces of equipment that can help save and prolong your life.
When going out for any outdoor adventure, depending on the season and local climate, having some form of a shelter can be a benefit whether it is protecting you from the sun, wind, rain, or even a snow storm, being able to get out of the elements can be a life saver not only for moral, but quite literally be a life saver. For example, we have all seen all the news reports or people being “stuck” or trapped in their cars or trucks due to a storm, accident or things like that almost everyday around the world. that vehicle is a form of shelter as long as they stay with it and have supplies with them. Pioneers that migrated west through the united states, even going back to nomadic tribes of people who have traveled for millennia to populate distant regions of earth have all used some form of a man mad shelter, or even a natural shelter of an overhang, or even caves.
This is is where being prepared comes into play. Anyone can go out and pick up a cheap tarp, take it to a park or open space and practice different shelter configurations, using trekking poles, ridgelines tied to trees, the human imagination, and ingenuity are the only limitations. it is helpful to practice and become proficient when it comes to making an emergency shelter, learning to place the shelter in an area that is free for possible falling debris, on higher ground that will not flood, as well in a pinch, a nylon water proof poncho can become a shelter, or eve better, carrying a tarp along with a poncho can allow someone to build a shelter while staying dry in a driving rain. I have personally used ponchos, cheap hardware store tarps, waxed canvas tarps, and what works for one person may not work for another. I am not affiliated with nor do I receive any kick backs or compensation for recommending any of these produces. For me personally, I have found and have used, trusted and have come to love using the Aqua quest defender series tarps (https://aquaquestwaterproof.com/). I have had mine and take it with me any time I am on an outdoor adventure. Personally, I would recommend anything that is ten foot by ten foot (10×10 or 3mx3m) this size can pack down to be portable, give you enough room for gear, or even another person while not taking up to much space in a backpack. Keeping something like this, along with 50 feet of paracord and some light weight aluminum stakes can give you a fast easy and stable dry place to get out of the wind and elements. If this is all new to you, I would recommend checking out YouTube or Rumble and search “tarp shelters.” Additionally, it is helpful to pick up something like these tarps in a bright easy to spot color that can make you more visible for overhead search and rescue to make you stand out at higher elevations. if you happen to end up getting stuck on a remote road with no mobile phone coverage. More information will follow, along with some pictures when the weather permit and the ground is not frozen in my location.
21st Century Renaissance Man 