I'm a bit curious about building a hidden semi permenant shelter for camping/bugging out. I haven't seen many ideas for digging down a little and building a debri pile/tarp roof over. To be more specific I was thinking of digging about 3 feet down and building a debri shelter 1-2 feet high over it. It would give me about 5 feet high. I would use cinder blocks for walls under ground and build a place for a fire place also. I think over all it would be 6'x6'. Does anyone think something like this would be a good idea. And if not how would you change it for the better.
GunnarCarr,
Having lived in the Northeast, specifically, in the Adirondacks as a kid, I am quite familiar with the terrain there. Rain is a seasonal/often influx issue in the Northeast. My mom who still lives in Central New York tells me this is an unseasonably rainy year that has compounded the growing season and other issues not seen in many years. So I would not discount drainage and as Forager stated, look for a elevation. An old survival rules is to avoid low levels that will flood (typically flat areas along hillocks/inclines will experience flood and washes. Unless you've lived there for years, I wouldn't depend on a summer just to give you that data. I am a firm believer in taking soil samples and having it evaluated for foliage/etc..and moisture table. I've done this whenever I build a cache site, since it must be relatively flood free.
So your looking to use this as a hide or semi-build. Concrete blocks are good, but they are more permanent and must have a good base (made normally of concrete/rebar), as Jontte, mention BrentS has been building one for a bit now and we've both discussed pros and cons to most shelters on other threads.
If your considering using concrete blocks than I suggest strengthening the roof with either a center beam that will take the stress off the roof frame, then it is up to you what type of roof you would like to use, if you are thinking of steel or galvanized metal, then possibly sealing it with a silicone or plastic coating to seal it from rusting prior to adding the soil top cover will prevent a cave-in. A debriefs shelter is typically used only for short periods of time, similar to foxholes...see under tactics my thoughts on that one. This is a very low cost way, but is only temporary and not meant for long-term investment.
Lastly, if your looking at this more for a cache site, based on what you said as being an intermediate site before you head to your BOL (stop to rest on the way to my long term)...you really need to weight the pros-cons. If your looking for more to store items as a backup along your main route of travel to your BOL...then a cache is your answer. This is a very cost effective way of preparing what I consider expendable items and with a little proper planning/communication with landowners...might suit you better. I have several cache sites, near or along several routes...because you do not know if your initial planning to use that route will be available. Hence, why I'd say, investing in a cache is a solution. Using debri as an alternative does not serve as a permanent source of roofing and often will lead to other problems, such as rodent/other animals homes, if not made of proper building materials.
If your looking for a long-term solution to sheltering...then consider some alternatives both commercial or existing that might serve this purpose also. PM if you have questions on this. I think you get the picture of my ideas.
