November 2005

Group Advanced Shelter

This Tracker Weekend was devoted to the design and construction of a large group shelter.
Time was limited, as the Explorers and other Trackers did not arrive until mid morning on Sat. and wanted to sleep in it on Sat night.  This left a limited amount of daylight for construction.

Our first task was to agree on a design.  Several were put forward before
there was agreement on one plan.

Cole was put in charge, and the young people were given ownership of the task.

An A-Frame structure was built with two roofs.  the first roof was less than a metre high,
to insure the retention of heat.  Debris was stacked on top of this framework.
 Most debris came from a field of goldenrod and consisted of thick, hollow stalks. 

A centre post was added to insure safety.  Once the inside was covered the end walls were built and covered with packed snow, while Cole took a nap. ;) 

Due to the time limit, it was judged that there would not be enough time in the one day to
adequately insulate the shelter.  It would normally be a job for several days.
As a result, sleeping bags were allowed in the shelter on Sat. night.

It was a very productive weekend, considering the constant threat of weather.