by Warren O. Brennan

Created on: July 20, 2009   Last Updated: July 25, 2009

A lean-to is the most common structure utilized in wilderness survival when shelter is needed in a short amount of time. A lean-to is defined as any four sided structure, with three sides covered and one side left open. The three covered sides are necessary to keep the shelter warm, while the open side is for easy entrance and exit. Beyond that basic framework, the actual style is up to you. Here is what I normally do:

Find a large tree that you will be able to use an anchor for one of your sides. Next, find a large, straight branch. The actual length is up to you, but will determine the height of your structure. Carve into the top of the branch a V shape while digging the other end into the ground about 6ft in front of the tree. Next, you will need some rope and and branch to be the top of your structure. If you cut a small hole at the end of this branch, you should be able to feed some rope through that hole and tie it off to the tree.

Then, take the opposite end and place it on top the V shape you cut it to the other branch and tie the two branches together. You should now have a basic rectangular structure, with the tree at one end, a branch at the other, and a branch on top connecting the two together. You will now need to find branches to fill in the back side. The idea is to angle branches on one side of the rectangular structure so that they are held up by the branch and the top, with the bottom end touching the ground. This will create a back wall which you will need to fill in with leafs, grass, dirt, or cover with a tarp or emergency blanket if you have one. Do the same for the sides and part of the front, leaving just enough room for you to enter. This will provide both protection from animals as well as the weather outside.

Another method I have used I call the "Lincoln Log" method. Essentially, the idea is to create a three sided shelter utilizing the classic methods of the Lincoln Logs game we all played as kids. The reason I don't use this one often is because it requires some very large pieces of wood in order to be effective, which isn't always possible. But if you find yourself with some time and an amble wood supply here are some instructions. First lay two logs parallel from each other on the ground with the logs laying flat (if you can cut the log in half so that it lays completely flat even better). They should be about 6ft apart. Next, place a log across the back, connecting the two parallel logs together. You will have to use two smaller logs for the front because remember the idea is to leave the front open.

Now, continue to alternate logs on the backside and parallel sides until the structure is a few feed high. Take smaller branches and leafs to fill in the roof as well as the sides. This method can be slightly dangerous since logs are liable to roll (unless you have an axe handy to make grooves in the wood) but it is defiantly a more secure structure than any other design of a lean-to.

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