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Post by lenapej on Sept 16, 2023 9:46:29 GMT -7
In reading through period journals, I have seen the reference to blankets being used as shelters, so I decided to test it out. I tied a stick horizontally between two trees and then one from the ground up to the middle of the horizontal one, to support the middle of the blanket, I placed a round ball in each corner of the blanket, wrapping the corner over the ball and looping a leather wang around it and tying the two top corners to the horizontal stick, and the bottom two, to wooden steaks, a quick, easy setup with a steep angle to shed weather. Next I want to try this on some upcoming events with friends, this would eliminate having to carry an oilcloth/tarp and still give some protection from the elements. Some period quotes: "The Indians often prop up a blanket or skins upon small poles, to preserve them from the inclemency of the weather". Lieut Henry Timberlake 1761 In describing the half faced shelters/cabins of the hunters, Joseph Doddridge said.." The whole slope of the roof was from the front to the back the covering was made of slabs, skins, or blankets..." Heckewelder describes the Lenape making quick shelters with blankets to protect themselves from a thundershower while attending the funeral of chief Shingas's wife   |
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Post by brokennock on Sept 16, 2023 11:36:05 GMT -7
Great quotes and really cool that you went out and rested it.
Thinking about it now, I seem to recall making a blanket shelter in boyscouts.
We took several long poles, I want to say about six foot, and leaned them against a tree-trunk like half a teepee. Placed blankets on the poles and were able to put several scouts inside mostly seated with backs to the tree. Not ideal, but better than nothing.
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Post by hawkeyes on Sept 16, 2023 15:34:21 GMT -7
I've slept under this exact setup during late fall at an event. There was a light rain, nothing more for about an hour then passed. Didn't get wet but the blanket obviously did. For that particular scenario it was fine and I would be comfortable again without worry in a light rain but wouldn't in heavier weather unless it was my only option. I'd rather carry an oilcloth than a water logged woolen blanket if not dry!
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Keith
City-dweller
Bushfire close but safe now. Getting some good rain.
Posts: 990 
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Post by Keith on Sept 16, 2023 16:20:22 GMT -7
I tried this blanket shelter many years ago, very uncomfortable & wet & hard work wringing the blanket out afterwards. An oilcloth shelter is definitely the way to go, & the use of an oilcloth is documented. Keith. woodsrunnersdiary.blogspot.com/search?q=oilcloth |
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Post by lenapej on Sept 17, 2023 7:06:53 GMT -7
Thanks for the responses, I've wondered how it would do in a rain, and can understand a wet blanket would take a long time to dry out, thanks for sharing your experiences.
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Post by Black Hand on Sept 18, 2023 10:05:29 GMT -7
Personally, I'd wrap the blanket around me and find shelter under trees - seems warmer (but no less damp).
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Post by barkeater on Feb 1, 2024 18:07:46 GMT -7
I've read about this a few times and there are a couple situations where it sort of makes sense to stave off hypothermia. 36 degree weather and rain is a particularly miserable combination where I'd be going for staying dry as possible, verses convincing my self I'd be "wet but warm" I've gone with that theory, but only when wearing wool layers from the skin out, and don't have any experience with relying on layers of linen, yet... One thing that occurred to me, is that adding a small fire to the "bubble" under the blanket might make a big difference. Wool is pretty fire resistant when its dry, so when it soaking wet, it pretty well protected from burning. If the grounds dry enough a "Dakota fire pit" or some other small wood fire might stave of death by exposure..  |
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Post by Black Hand on Feb 1, 2024 20:04:46 GMT -7
I've read of people building a very small fire or lighting a candle under their blanket wrap. This would trap more heat than if the blanket was used as a tarp/roof.
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Post by brokennock on Feb 1, 2024 20:26:43 GMT -7
I've read of people building a very small fire or lighting a candle under their blanket wrap. This would trap more heat than if the blanket was used as a tarp/roof. I believe it was Simon Kenton (but could have been Nicholas Cresap) that was known for digging a small hole and building a small fire of white oak bark in then sitting cross legged over the hole (not his butt over the hole but so the hole was under the open space between his thighs) with a blanket wrapped around him. I've always intended to try this, but digging a hole in the woods in New England is easier said than done... 🙄 |
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RyanAK
City-dweller
Once scalped…
Posts: 973
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Post by RyanAK on Feb 2, 2024 16:08:31 GMT -7
I’ve done this once upon a time. It works well, but as has been mentioned, packing up a wet blanket sucks. In dry weather, it’s great. High ridge in summer to catch a breeze. Keep it low down in winter to trap heat. I prefer an oilcloth or just curling up under blankets and embracing the suck.
Dan from Coalcracker Bushcraft on YouTube is married to a distant cousin of mine. Before the bushcraft life, he did lots of 18th century stuff and pulls skills from it to incorporate into his bushcraft teaching. He does lots on shelters. One that’s stuck with me… in below freezing weather a single beeswax candle will raise the temperature within a blanket tossed over your head and shoulders to over 60*.
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Post by brokennock on Feb 2, 2024 19:04:59 GMT -7
I’ve done this once upon a time. It works well, but as has been mentioned, packing up a wet blanket sucks. In dry weather, it’s great. High ridge in summer to catch a breeze. Keep it low down in winter to trap heat. I prefer an oilcloth or just curling up under blankets and embracing the suck. Dan from Coalcracker Bushcraft on YouTube is married to a distant cousin of mine. Before the bushcraft life, he did lots of 18th century stuff and pulls skills from it to incorporate into his bushcraft teaching. He does lots on shelters. One that’s stuck with me… in below freezing weather a single beeswax candle will raise the temperature within a blanket tossed over your head and shoulders to over 60*. I wish he would do more videos. I'd especially like a clarification and better footage of part of his pucker toe moccasin video. I used his center seam sheath video to learn to make mine, and elements of his moccasin video when making my moc's. |
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Post by brokennock on Feb 3, 2024 9:37:45 GMT -7
I’ve done this once upon a time. It works well, but as has been mentioned, packing up a wet blanket sucks. In dry weather, it’s great. High ridge in summer to catch a breeze. Keep it low down in winter to trap heat. I prefer an oilcloth or just curling up under blankets and embracing the suck. Dan from Coalcracker Bushcraft on YouTube is married to a distant cousin of mine. Before the bushcraft life, he did lots of 18th century stuff and pulls skills from it to incorporate into his bushcraft teaching. He does lots on shelters. One that’s stuck with me… in below freezing weather a single beeswax candle will raise the temperature within a blanket tossed over your head and shoulders to over 60*. Sorry,,,, I was thinking of Steve Davis... |
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