Riverwalker’s Gear - UST Bug Tent and Tarp - Emergency Shelter Combo for Your Daypack

Normally on a day hike, you don’t really think about carrying shelter. The weather in Texas can fool you and it usually means someone is going to get wet. Although temperatures stay fairly warm through most of the year, there is a big chance of getting caught in a rainstorm. You might also want to stay out overnight if your sightseeing kept you from completing the entire hike you had planned.

Ultimate Survival Technologies Base Bug Tent

Ultimate Survival Technologies Base All Weather Tent Tarp

The UST Bug Tent and Tarp make a great lightweight addition to your day pack. It will work to keep you dry (drier?) until the rain lets up or give you a place to rest without feeding those blood-sucking mosquitoes all night. These work great for use as an emergency shelter when day hiking. 

The tent poles can be easily folded and strapped to the side of your pack. You can also opt to carry the tarp only. I also carry a small nylon tarp to use as a ground cloth (see pic) to protect a lightweight sleeping bag that I also carry. With a little food and a full water reservoir, my day pack weighs slightly less than 15 pounds on average. Regular backpacking or a colder climate would require something more substantial. My regular backpacking bag runs about twice the weight of my day pack (30 to 32 pounds).

It’s a lightweight combination that can be easily carried in your day pack and be there if you need it. Never hurts to have a backup plan in case nature decides to hand you a different set of circumstances on a sunny day.

Got shelter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Bushcraft - Central Texas Style - River Shelter

Rocky Outcropping

In a wilderness setting, rocky outcroppings often have areas that often provide suitable areas for use as temporary shelters. They quite often will be found on higher ground and can provide you with protection from the elements.

River Shelter

The above picture shows a small cave-like area in a rocky outcropping. Just be sure to check that there aren't any current residents before making it a temporary shelter. Natural shelters give you the advantage of not having to use valuable resources to build a shelter. This enables you to save a substantial amount of time and effort by using natural forms of shelter.

Got river shelter?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Preppin' 101 - Temporary Shelter - Truck Camping

Camper shells are enclosures that fit on a standard truck bed. These shells fit over the bed of a pickup truck so that it is completely enclosed. Most camper shells are made of fiberglass or aluminum. Collapsible covers are also available. These camper shells are perfect for providing shelter for you, your family and your belongings during an emergency.

Camper shells are often used everyday to protect equipment from the elements. They usually consist of a hard cover and may also include back and side windows. Their construction makes them ideal solutions for temporary shelter needs while offering complete mobility. They go where the truck goes! While they only provide the amount of room supplied by the truck bed and minimal additional head space, they provide excellent protection from the weather. Collapsible covers are perfect for temporary shelter where you want to remove or add the shell at your convenience. They are not as sturdy as fiberglass or aluminum models, but work well in environments where the weather conditions are not as severe.

A truck bed will generally allow up to four people to sleep comfortably inside it. By placing storage items in the cab of the truck, you can use the truck bed for sleeping. This will provide ample room to spread out and get a good night’s sleep. Since the truck is protected, it will be warmer and a great alternative to sleeping in a tent. This is especially important if cold weather is a factor.

A camper shell needs to be fitted to the type of truck you have and as a result prices may vary. The prices vary greatly depending upon whether you use a basic camper shell or a complete slide-in camper unit with sleeping area, cooking, and bathroom areas. Used equipment may be less expensive, but it is essential to ensure a proper fit for your particular type of truck. Internet searches will provide a number of resources where used camper shells or camper units can be purchased.

Some people may decide to build their own camper shells. These can be made of wood or you can even adapt an existing camper for use with your vehicle. This is an affordable way to get the same effect but may take a bit more time to accomplish. It also requires a bit of skill and patience.

You can see some great pics of DIY truck camping set-ups here:

Truck Camping 101

Camper shells and camper units are a convenient and practical solution for temporary shelters. Depending on the type of camper unit or shell you purchase. They offer great flexibility to your temporary shelter options. They have the ability to be used year round for any type of shelter, storage or transportation needs.

Staying above water line!

Riverwalker

Preppin' 101 - Part 4 - Tents

When considering short term shelter needs, tents can offer a better level of protection for you or your family. Depending upon the number of people that will require temporary shelter, a tent can be found that will cover most any need. Remember, most people who find themselves in a shelter after a storm or disaster will have little or no privacy and if staying outdoors may not have adequate protection from the weather. Tents can be a valuable option to protect you and your family.

Tents - Advantages

1.) The primary benefit of tents is the relatively low cost of most tents.

2.) Tents also come in all different sizes, shapes, and styles.

3.) Tents can be purchased from several different retail outlets, both online and offline.

4.) Tents can be used for other activities (camping, etc.).

5.) Tents offer a small measure of privacy for you and your family.

6.) Tents offer limited protection from insects and pests when used out doors.

7.) Tents, depending upon their type, can offer limited protection from the weather.

8.) Tents are generally quite portable and easy to transport.

9.) A large number of tents are water-proof to a limited extent.

10.) Some smaller tents can be easily set-up for use indoors if necessary.

Tents - Disadvantages

The main disadvantage to tents is that not every tent is of a strong and durable enough nature that it will afford a high level of protection during extremely bad weather conditions.

Tent Types

Dome Tents

This type of tent has a rudimentary dome shape formed by inward curving walls that meet at the apex.

Advantages: They generally have ample headroom and offer the ability to sit upright. They can also be set indoors without stakes.

Disadvantages: Two pole designs leave a significant portion of unsupported tent material. This restricts use to moderate weather conditions only.

Modified Dome Tents

This is a dome tent with a few variations: the addition of more poles plus cross-section rods, as will generally have tapered ends.
Advantages: This type is able to withstand harsher weather and higher wind levels.

Pyramid Tents

These are little more than a waterproof tarp staked to the ground and draped over a central pole.
Advantages: Extremely easy to set up.
Disadvantages: It can leave you exposed to weather conditions and outdoor pests.

Tunnel Tents

This type of tent is designed in the shape of a tunnel. Usually the front has the most ceiling height (allowing just enough room to sit upright) and tapers towards the rear. This tent type incorporates a single or dual pole design with the longer pole upfront. They are generally a single person type of tent.

Advantages: Very lightweight.

Disadvantages: Design type tends towards being cramped.

Cabin Tents

Cabin tents are what is known as single-skin tents and are used mainly in the United States. They often have nylon walls, polyester roof, and a polyethylene floor, plus an awning at one or both ends. Removable internal dividers allow the cabin to be split into different areas or rooms.

Advantages: They offer more room allowing the use of other optional equipment in the form of cots, etc. They also can accommodate a larger number of persons comfortably.

Disadvantages: Cabin tents are bulkier, heavier, and generally will require assistance while being set-up.

More information on the different types of tents can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent#Current_tent_styles


I currently have dome tents, a modified dome tent for my family and a two room cabin tent to handle my temporary shelter needs. An example of my family dome tent can be found here:

Riverwalker’s Gear-Magellan-16-x-10 Tent

When considering short term shelter needs due to a storm or disaster, tents offer a higher level of protection than the use of tarps. They offer beneficial options for you and your family.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Preppin' 101 - Part 4 - Temporary Shelter - Poly Tarps

Being prepared isn’t as hard as you may think. Once you have taken care of the basic food items (temporary and long term), water (including storage and purification methods), and covered your basic health needs the next item you will need to cover is shelter. Shelter needs range from temporary needs to those which are more considered more permanent. One of the best forms of temporary shelter are poly tarps.


Tarps are large sheets of various types of materials which usually have the ability to resist the damaging effects of heat from the sun, water damage due to rain, protection against wind damage and a variety of other beneficial uses. With the advent of modern technology, tarps have become extremely lightweight, inexpensive, and a fairly durable means of protection against environmental hazards. The manufacture of polyethylene tarps has enabled people everywhere to have affordable protection against the weather and its effects. They are more commonly called poly tarps.

While there are other types of tarps (canvas, plastic, etc.), poly tarps offer the most diversity and allow this simple means of protection from the elements to be affordable for everyone.

Uses of Poly Tarps

1.) Poly tarps can be used to cover your equipment from harmful weather conditions.

2.) Poly tarps can be used as an expedient shelter for you and your family from various weather conditions.

3.) Poly tarps can also be used as an effective means of providing privacy when needed.

4.) Poly tarps can be used to protect items while being transported.

The variety of uses for tarps is almost endless and is limited only by your imagination.

Advantages of Poly Tarps

1.) Lightweight and easily carried or transported

2.) Extremely durable – available in a wide range of strengths

3.) Lower in cost than most other types of tarps

4.) Available in a wide range of sizes to fit your needs

Disadvantages of Poly Tarps

The main disadvantage of poly tarps is that they are only a temporary means of protection. They should be considered only for short term shelter needs until a more permanent type of shelter can be obtained.

Got poly tarps?

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker

Riverwalker's Gear - Magellan 16 x 10 Tent

I use a Magellan Congaree 16x10 tent for my temporary shelter needs in the case of a disaster or emergency that would require some place to stay other than my home. It sleeps a total of 8 people. Since I only need room for 6 people in my immediate family group, I have extra storage space for gear, etc. available or room for someone extra if we have friends camping out with us.

It has a 72 inch center height which makes it a lot easier to change your clothes and to come and go without having to crawl around all the time. The tent is easy to pitch and can be done in about ten minutes thanks to the color-coded poles. It’s got 600mm weatherproof fabric and has the self-repairing nylon zippers. Another great feature of this tent is the entrance floor mat which helps keep the dirt and moisture out. It’s also got additional storage pockets for gear, separate shoe storage pockets, and a hook loop for a tent light.

The tent also comes with a carrying case and tent stakes. It’s fairly compact and fits easily under the seat of my van or in the bed of my pick-up. It also covers our shelter needs on trips to the beach, fishing, or when we want to just camp out for the weekend.

Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker