The Field Expedient Lean-to

You can build an expedient lean-to if you are in a wooded area and have enough materials. This type of shelter takes considerably more time to make, but will protect you from most of the elements.

You will need the following materials to build an expedient lean-to:

• - Two trees or upright poles that are about 6 feet apart.
• - One pole that is about 7 feet long and 1 inch in diameter. This will be refered to as the 'horizontal support'.
• - Five to Eight poles that are about 10 feet long and 1 inch in diameter. These will be refered to as 'beams'.
• - Some cords or vines that can be used for securing the poles to the trees.
• - Additional poles, vines, and saplings to crisscross over the beams.

To make the expedient lean-to:

1. Secure your horizontal support to the two trees at about chest height (4 - 5 feet high). If there happens to be a fork in the tree at the appropriate height, you can set the pole in the fork instead of tieing it.
2. Place one end of your beams onto one side of the horizontal support. Remember that anytime you construct a lean-to, you should construct it so that the backside is facing into the wind.
3. Crisscross vines or flexible saplings through the beams to add support.
4. Cover your framework (the backside) with brush, leaves, grass, or pineneedles by starting at the bottom and working your way to the top. Doing so helps keep the rain out.
5. For added comfort (and to protect you from heat loss to the ground), place some leaves, straw, grass, or pine needles on the floor of the shelter.