[Democracyman]

Hello,

I am thinking about doing some survival shelter and fire practice
and wondering the best ways to try.

I wonder if the wigwam method is the best for two+ people in the
cold as you can have a fire inside it?

I read and saw the photos of Ron's shelter, it looked good, I wonder
how warm it would be in usage? Can you do his same design for
two people with good effect? (His method is given in the
web site under shelters)

As for the Wigwam design, I guess you would want to dig a Dakota
fire hole in the center. And you can still use pine boughs for bedding
and be safe?

For a Dakota fire hole how much fire wood would you need? I read
someplace that in general you need ten rounded full arm fulls of
wood to get through the night?

If you had to choose what would you choose the Wigwam design
or the A frame design as Ron did? Maybe the choice would depend
if you had snow and or how much good fire wood you had on hand
etc? I think the Wigwam design it would be almost impossible to insulate
with snow. With the wigwam method is there is a trick to what tarping
material you would carry for it's usage? The shape being small around on top
and big around on the bottom is a challenge on how to cover it with
poncho's or space blankets, etc. Any tricks?

I see where Ron said to cover the floor with at least four inches of boughs.
Is this enough, I have seen people say at least two feet of boughs? Of
course more is better, but I am wondering what is a good thickness without
going overboard?

I live in the pacific northwest, I am mainly interested in survival shelter
in winter spring or fall, most likely at higher elevation likely near tree
line. Materials to work with will be pine boughs, dead limbs for frame work.
A cheap throw away poncho, maybe a space blanket, a leatherman knife
with saw built in. Fire starter material. Maybe dental floss for cordage.

Shelter for one or more likely for two, or in a rare case maybe up
to four people. May or may not have snow for material. Most likely in rainy weather or at least in wet weather.

I belong to mountain SAR so doing this for myself and for the SAR activity.

Thanks for any ideas, especially experience.

Dan