Remembering the Old Ways: Shelter
- ReWylde
- Apr 17
- 3 min read
Shelter is about more than protection.
It’s about place.
A small piece of earth you claim as safe—where you can rest, warm up, stay dry, and settle your nervous system enough to think clearly.
Our ancestors knew how to make shelter from what surrounded them—branches, bark, grass, hides, stone.
It didn’t have to be perfect. It had to hold. It had to last the night. It had to bring a sense of stillness to the body.
To remember shelter is to remember that you don’t need much—but you do need to know how to use what you have.
What Shelter Really Means
In the wild, shelter gives you:
Protection from wind, rain, sun, cold, and heat
A barrier between you and the ground (which drains body heat fast)
Psychological calm—because once shelter is sorted, you can think
A place to rest, dry out, and light a fire safely nearby
Shelter is the first priority in cold or wet conditions. Without it, warmth and clarity disappear quickly.
Natural Shelter: What to Look For
If you have no materials or tools, the land is your starting point. Look for:
Overhanging rock or dry caves (check for animals first)
Hollow trees or dense evergreen stands
Fallen trees with raised root systems that can be reinforced
Natural windbreaks: thickets, banks, large boulders
These may not be perfect—but they’ll give you a starting structure. Add branches, bracken, or dry leaves to insulate.
Always avoid setting up in dips, gulleys, or dry streambeds—these can flood or freeze overnight.
Quick Shelter Types to Learn
1. The Lean-To
A basic but reliable form. Build it against a log, wall, or fallen tree.
Prop long sticks at an angle to form a sloped roof.
Layer it with bracken, leaves, ferns, or a tarp if available.
Open side faces away from prevailing wind. Fire can be built in front for warmth.
2. A-Frame Shelter
Two long poles form an upside-down V shape, with a ridgepole between them.
Branch ribs are leant on both sides, then layered with leaves or debris for insulation.
Can be made fully enclosed for colder nights.
3. Tarp Shelter
If you carry a tarp or sheet, you can make shelter in minutes.
Tie off to trees or hiking poles to create an angled roof or open tent shape.
Add foliage or blankets for windbreak and warmth.
Essential Shelter Skills
Know how to knot and lash with natural cordage or rope
Learn which materials insulate (dry leaves, moss, bracken) and which retain moisture
Always create a barrier between you and the ground (boughs, leaves, blankets)
Angle your shelter away from the wind, and slightly downhill to avoid pooling water
Practise building different shelters before you need them—repetition creates calm
What to Carry (If You Can)
Even in a minimal pack, a few items can make all the difference:
A tarp or bivvy bag
Paracord or natural fibre rope
A small knife or multitool
A lightweight wool or foil blanket
Dry tinder and a means to light fire nearby
These don’t have to be expensive or high-tech. A heavy wool blanket and plastic sheet will carry you far if you know how to use them.
Building a Shelter Mindset
Shelter is a mindset as much as a skill.
It teaches you to look for structure where others see nothing.
To pause, assess, and adapt.
To gather what’s available instead of waiting for what’s ideal.
It reminds you that you are resourceful, even when wet, tired, and cold.
When You’ve Remembered Shelter
You’ll stop seeing woods as just scenery.
You’ll notice wind direction, tree cover, hollows and overhangs.
You’ll feel more at ease knowing that, wherever you go, you can create a place to rest.
A place that will hold you, even when the world feels unpredictable.
This is the remembering of shelter.
Not just how to build it—but how to belong inside it.
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