Rain Shedding Shelter Roofs

[Return of the J.D.]

Two thoughts. First, I'll add that an awful lot of the natural depressions I've seen in the ground have in fact been caused by water flowing during storms. Hence, it may pay to be especially careful when one is selecting a natural depression in which to build a shelter.

Second, I've had some pretty encouraging success building bough-shelters and the like, sufficient to keep out rain. However, I have to admit that the rain I had to keep out with my first bough-shelter was pretty minimal: a pretty light rain by most standards, though it was a decent shower by Arizona standards. My angled-deciduous-leaves roof probably wouldn't have done the trick under a whopping downpour. Your mileage will vary, depending on the terrain over which your miles are to be traveled.

That said, a shelter that keeps out most of the rain may do the trick--at least long enough for you to gather enough additional material to keep out the rest.

 

[SkunkWerX]

J.D. very true about varying mileage. I'm sure those in arid parts of Arizona think differently about rain protection than those in the Pacific Northwest.
It's whatever our region and our perspective dictates.

Here in the Mid Atlantic we get a little of everything.
We can have southern moisture dump an inch of rain in 12 hours, or, western winds bring just a sprinkle as a front comes by. So it all depends on region and even the season. If I see clouds building from the South , it can mean some serious rain, downpours, which is what prompted my post.

I typically speak from an unprepared, or only slightly prepared perspective.
If I can hack having very few supplies, and have only to deal with natural material, then should I be so fortunate to have even a plastic garbage bag, I will be thankful.

I like to ponder "What if I didn't have the XYZ" Scenarios.
Problem Solving.

Not taking a jab at anyone here, so don't take this the wrong way, but, when prefaced with only using natural materials, the answer usually follows at some point, "Always have a tarp" , well, of course , how could I be so foolish?
[slaps forehead]
However, there may come a time when we are least expecting to be out in the elements, and need to do something without the aid of a lot of supplies. That's where I was coming from.

I like the cliche scenario, your canoe tipped over, dumped most of your supplies, you got to shore and now have to Problem Solve your way outta the situation.

Most survival situations arise from totally unexpected circumstances.
Drastic changes in weather, an injury, a mishap, etc.

I think it's important to prepare the mind for lack of supplies, rather than a full backpack brimming with goodies.
*I'm not saying you shouldn't be as prepared as possible, I am a firm advocate of having great gear, just don't let it become a defacto survival crutch.

[steps off soapbox] Sorry if it sounded like a lecture, not the intent.