A hut is a small structure assembled from natural materials. Sticks, branches, vines, and leaves make up the entire structure. Building a hut should take between one to two hours and is an excellent shelter from the forces of nature. Huts can protect a person from the sweltering rays of the sun, and shield a person from fierce winter storms. A hut can be built out of necessity, or as a playful hideaway.
Instructions
1. Collect the three wooden poles and strip them of any awkwardly placed branches. The poles can be fallen trees, saplings, bamboo, or very large palm leaves. Find a dry area of ground around a tree or large boulder. This area will be the place where you will be building your hut. Lean the poles against the tree or boulder at a 45 degree angle; this should make your structure about four feet high on the inside. Each pole should be spaced evenly to allow for space inside of the shelter once it is built.
2. Scavenge the area for fallen branches, palm leaves, vines, or any sort of loose shrubbery. Place the largest branches against the pole angled outward. These branches should be placed evenly and firmly because they will support all of the smaller branches and leaves which will be placed on top of that. Place branches on top of the three poles to act as a roof.
3. Begin on the roof of the hut and get a thick layer of leaves, twigs, and vines to shield out any light to protect yourself from sunburn. A thick layer will also keep your hut well insulated in an area where the temperatures are quite cool. In an area with snow be certain to pack snow around your hut to keep your body heat in, and keep the cool breeze and inclement weather out. Be certain to leave an opening for you to crawl in and out of along the side of the tree or boulder.
4. Lying on a cold or damp ground is one of the fastest ways to lose precious body heat and succumb to the elements. Gather enough dried grasses and leaves to act as a barrier between you and the ground. Once the entire floor is covered in about one foot of grasses pat everything down securely with your hands and feet.
5. Gather a few leafy branches and sticks to block the doorway that you left open. Once inside of the hut then place the branches over the opening to protect yourself from wind, sun, rain, and snow. Look for any large gaps in your shelter and fill them in with any organic materials you have handy to ensure the hut will keep you protected from the elements.
Tags: body heat, keep your, palm leaves, person from, protect yourself