This week I finished the "Individual Shelter and Fireplace" tests, which examine the candidates' ability to construct his own small yet sleepable shelter with a tarp, as well as a fire pit cook on and keep warm. After construction, the site is evaluated and the candidate breaks everything down. The end goal is making sure that the area looks untouched and that there is no trace of the candidate. This is all done in 90 minutes.
The four W's of shelter building:
Water – Try to
find a high area relative to your surroundings so that if it rains your shelter
does not become a puddle. It would probably be prudent to think of this when
picking a spot for a fire pit. Also consider your placement near drinkable
water (this does not exactly apply at JMG as you are given a specific area in
which to build your shelter).
Wind – Make sure
you position your tarp so that it does not run the risk of becoming a wind
tunnel and blowing away.
Widow-makers – Watch out
for dead branches that could easily fall on top of your shelter while you are
asleep. Watch out for low-hanging branches that could easily burn if they are
too low near your fire.
Wigglies – Avoid game
trails, rodent holes, and other animal/bug dwellings when choosing a spot for
your shelter. You do not want to wake up to a bed full of mice or a moose
standing over you.
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