Emergency shelter for mid/late season

Joined
Jan 11, 2023
Messages
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Hi folks. Im solo hunting late October and trying to be more prepared/safe this year should I spend an unexpected night on the mountain. Would a tarp or bivy to just keep in the pack at all times be a good bet. Have a tarp, do not have a bivy. Do have a Big Agnes 2 person but thats just over 3 lbs which is substantial. Just thinking of trying to keep warm enough to make it thru the night should I need to. Have puffy and rain gear and all my other layers, and emergency fire, in reach etc. Trying to see if a tarp would be enough it snow/rain and high winds would rip through. Id have some work to do figuring out how to best set up a tarp to accommodate that.

Thanks
 
A 10x10 sil tarp is ALWAYS in my pack with some cord and pegs. Learn three or four different pitches to match the terrain.
A good tarp set up with a puffy and rain gear can get you through a lot. I actually used an EMR2 bag emptied out as a half bivy once...
 
Sil nylon tarp is good in case things hit the fan. You can pitch it if you are just waiting out some weather but if things really go sideways you can burrito yourself (hypothermia wrap).

Also depends on how confident you are with your backcountry navigation. If walking out at night, in a snowstorm, by yourself sounds ok you can travel pretty light. If not, a couple extra pounds for a tent might be good insurance.
 
Don't underestimate the utility of an emergency/mylar survival poncho. Light, compact, and used as layering within the other items you've mentioned can get you through a pretty bad spot overnight.
 
I keep my Warbonnet Ground Tarp in my pack at all times. We use it several times a year, and it has bailed us out from some nasty hail and thunderstorms.

 
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