Bushcraft shelter for hammocking?

**Hamper** · 12-09-2010, 13:43

So I've been reading alot lately about bushcraft. I'm intrigued by the concept of primitive shelters and some of the physicis behind them. I came across the concept of the Mors Kochanski Supershelter (Not to be confused with the HH supershelter) over at BushcraftUSA.

Here is a link with a description http://humanventure.org/coach/Articl...6850BAD07.html.

So, my question is...could you use this with a hammock in lieu of proper winter gear? I imagine a set up with a clear painter's dropcloth over a ridgeline with one side facing a small/medium fire (appropriately spaced to prevent melting etc.) with a mylar space blanket or two attached on the inside of the opposite side to reflect the heat from the fire back into the hammock. Sides taut to the ground and some sort of doors on the sides that can be opened/closed to vent as I figure condensation could be a beast.

In Dual Survivor, Cody Lundin used this concept to keep the inside of his ground shelter at near 70 degrees in Nova Scotia with below freezing ambient temps. If this could work with the hammock setup, I might be able to camp in the winter until I can afford some good gear! I'm afraid to try though as I'd hate to set myself and hammock on fire

Any of you engineer types out there have ideas how to make it work? Or is it just a terrible idea?

**cfisch9** · 12-09-2010, 13:49

Sounds like a fun experiment to me. No better way to see if it works than to try it out for yourself.

**fourdog** · 12-09-2010, 13:51

Originally Posted by Hamper

So I've been reading alot lately about bushcraft. I'm intrigued by the concept of primitive shelters and some of the physicis behind them. I came across the concept of the Mors Kochanski Supershelter (Not to be confused with the HH supershelter) over at BushcraftUSA.

Here is a link with a description http://humanventure.org/coach/Articl...6850BAD07.html.

So, my question is...could you use this with a hammock in lieu of proper winter gear? I imagine a set up with a clear painter's dropcloth over a ridgeline with one side facing a small/medium fire (appropriately spaced to prevent melting etc.) with a mylar space blanket or two attached on the inside of the opposite side to reflect the heat from the fire back into the hammock. Sides taut to the ground and some sort of doors on the sides that can be opened/closed to vent as I figure condensation could be a beast.

In Dual Survivor, Cody Lundin used this concept to keep the inside of his ground shelter at near 70 degrees in Nova Scotia with below freezing ambient temps. If this could work with the hammock setup, I might be able to camp in the winter until I can afford some good gear! I'm afraid to try though as I'd hate to set myself and hammock on fire

Any of you engineer types out there have ideas how to make it work? Or is it just a terrible idea?

It works and works realy well. Mors developed the orginal super shelter.
I will be setting one up with hammock at the up coming MN Frozen Butt in
Jan.

**GvilleDave** · 12-09-2010, 13:53

From your profile I see you already have a hammock & tarp. All you really need other than that to winter camp is insulation. For next to nothing you can buy a few CCF pads and between that and a sleeping bag used as a top quilt you should do fine into the low 20's or so. YMMV...

Good idea for an emergency shelter though.

**Hamper** · 12-09-2010, 15:55

@fourdog - Have you tried this already? What other insulation would you say is necessary for different temperature ranges? I have a 30 degree bag and both CCF pads and an Exped Synmat 7 and have been comfortable in them down to roughly 30.

@GvilleDave - I do have some insulation, but I'm not sure how comfy I am with testing in the teens :-D Besides, sleeping by a fire seems really cool and primitive and a way to not have to invest in a super cool underquilt (though that doesn't make me want them any less!)

**tammons** · 12-10-2010, 12:46

Originally Posted by Hamper

I do have some insulation, but I'm not sure how comfy I am with testing in the teens :-D Besides, sleeping by a fire seems really cool and primitive and a way to not have to invest in a super cool underquilt (though that doesn't make me want them any less!)

I started carrying a large piece of polycro in my survival pack after I watched The first Dual survival show in Nova Scotia where Cody Lundin built a super shelter.

I have yet to try one out. Better would be some fire resistant clear plastic which they do make but its heavier. Should make a great survival shelter as long as you can start a fire and you dont have to build an elaborate log structure if you can find a natural back like a blowdown to hook the space blanket on.

You dont need much to get down to 20dF with a normal hammock setup.

A 10x12 poly or other tarp will create a tent with doors over a hammock.

I slept in a golite ultra 20 in such a rig, on cheap crossed CCF pads with a garlington taco last year down to 14dF and I was warm all night.

If I would have had a bag topper or a 0dF quilt, 0dF would have been no problem.

**Cranky Bear** · 12-09-2010, 16:06

Hamper,
You might want to consider covering the outside of the hammock with something that will protect the nylon, as if a hot ember flies up hits the hammock instant hole, and possible failure of hammock!
Not saying that it will happen, but possible, just something to think about when placing the hammock (height off ground) and placement of fire as well as how big of a fire!
Would love to see pic's when you do it though, as well as a report!!!!

**KerMegan** · 12-09-2010, 16:07

I think how close the fire is to your plastic and nylon shelter elements would be the main concern...sparks + petrochemicals= not good...
KM (who is a pyro, but keeps safety uber alles!)

Edit- I see CB beat me to the punch- i types slow sometimes..