Mors Kochanski Super Shelter Part 2: History and How it Works

[@meldeweese6875]

GREAT info.! I first met my friend Mors K. at the Rabbit Stick Gathering in Utah years ago. WOW ! what a knowledgeable guy. Later we shared the experience of the First International Survival Conference in Sweden. ( Thanks to Capt. Falt and the King.) . Mors was my good " Comrade in Survival " . He was the most amazing bushman I ever imagined.. Exact in all the skills. We all - and the World will miss the super guy. THANKS Mors for always sharing with us all . " Mtn Mel & Molly Blue " - Deweese, 59-82, Ret. USN SERE - POW Inst. / Para- Rigger . W. Colorado .

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Wow. Thanks for this post Mel. You truly shared some big events with Mors. He really cherished his time at the International Survival Conference in 1995. Did you happen to catch the Global Bushcraft Symposium in 2019? We organized the event to bring together Lars, Mors, and other bushcraft/survival giants in celebration of their accomplishments and as a springboard off of the gathering you attended in Sweden. Here is a link to the GBS: bushcraftsymposium.com/about/1st-international-symposium-1995/ And here is a link to the facdbook page that contains links to videos and information about the GBS facebook.com/bushcraftsymposium Mors was truly a master outdoorsman and is missed by many. Fortunately, there are numerous instructors around the world who are carrying his fire forward. Take care

[@4seasonpursuits724]

Thanks for this segment Dale; you definitely honour Mors through your passion. I continue to share this video with others and had taken a friend out on -28C New Years Eve Northern AB winter Campout and when he seen each pre-made roll of what become an individual Super Shelter for each of us, he wasn’t a believer until it was +25C inside!!! I continue to watch your videos today for any tip you share. Thanks, Brian

[@RossDixonTeaching]

Thanks for looking at the different parts and how they come together. Fascinating technology and very liberating knowledge...

[@16prospector]

What a great lesson and history of the supershelter. Thank you for doing this. I like that it honors Mors appropriately. I am looking forward to seeing the next videos.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Rory. I am glad to hear that you see the recognition for Mors in the video. Take care

[@16prospector]

@@NatureAliveAdventures Still looking forward to the contruction video. Any idea when that might come out? I especially want to see the air exchange at the back as I am envisioning a method but am not quite sure of it. I am guessing that the plastic does not go all the way to the ground in that area, and but that the layer of nylon or parachute material does, and that breathable material is what allows air to pass.

[@HeritageHannah]

He was the Grandfather of bushcraft, wasn't he?

[@marksadventures3889]

Benders, yup, we made a lot of sweat lodges in the 80s and 90's. Then building bigger a dome you need a way to keep heat in and let the smoke out, made a chimney to one side. You warm rocks in a fire and use the heat from them to heat the dome, get them wet and have a sweat lodge. Raising the floor is the key.

[@sosteve9113]

He will be missed,he inspired people from all over the world RiP

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Steve. Yes Mors will be missed. Take care

[@northwoodsrat6686]

Fantastic! This is THE best vid I have ever seen on Supershelters - the interesting history on how they came to be; the footage of you putting one together; the scientific principles behind how they actually work and their effectiveness; the do's and don'ts on building them correctly; how you broke them down to 5 easy to remember components; and that you adressed some common questions and concern about their use. Loved the interview with Mors, and appreciate how you guys explained, clearly and in detail, the various aspects of them. I've just got to make one of these things! Thanks, Dale, for producing this interesting and educational vid, which might also serve as a valuable learning resource/how-to reference for anyone seriously considering building one. ATVB

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Awesome! So awesome. Thanks for your comments. Hopefully the super shelter series will answer many questions and get people out there experiencing this awesome shelter. Thanks again for your support and God Bless

[@brianspencer4220]

Hi Dale: Thanks for a really well explained approach to building a super shelter. I'm looking forward to the next installments of this series. Thanks again Brian 79

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks Brian. Nice to hear from you. Hope you are well. Take care.

[@brianspencer4220]

Well Dale as I approach my 80th winter; your series may inspire me to try out this approach to winter fun, so I'm relying on the quality of the previous skills you've shown me to believe you'll do just as good a job this time. Thanks Brian 79

[@ronagoodwell2709]

Some really solid analytic and imaginative thinking has gone into the formation of the MK Super Shelter. I have some concerns about the disposability of materials though. Poly-plastics and mylar-plastics are deadly in the environment. They break down into micro-plastics and create havoc in ground water and manage, over time, to get into our food supply. There should be some emphasis on recycling and/or proper disposal techniques to round out the innovative aspects of this technology. Just my 2-cents worth. Thanks for being smart. We need it these days.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Great comments. Thanks and take care

[@lluisbrull4550]

Thank you for such a great video.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comment Brull. Your welcome. Take care

[@rusticlivingbushcraft]

Absolutely fascinating!! Thanks for this series!!

[@richdillon1221]

Looks like a great way to camp a lot of thought out into this

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Rich. The super shelter is really a fun project and it works so well in cold weather. Take care

[@richdillon1221]

@@NatureAliveAdventures it’s great to know all of the knowledge has been shared and will help is all keep this amazing legacy going because of such an amazing teacher and students that keep teaching he will live in all of us that have learned from great knowledge

[@NomadicWoodsman]

Man this is such a great video. I will share this and thanks so much for making this. I just tried the harleton hacienda with Jon last week and was blown away at the effectiveness, this shares the history and thought behind the whole idea. Thanks Dale !

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Awesome. I just watched your video with Jon and the Hacienda last night. Great job. I was going to send you a comment last night , but I didn't watch the last five minutes yet. Really enjoyed your video. Thanks for that. And the Hammock info was also very useful. Hope to cross paths soon. Take care

[@glock-hm3ro]

Thank you so much, and RIP Mors.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Your welcome. Take care

[@danhodgins4015]

Awesome info, thank you very much! Really enjoyed it. Could you please provide an exact recommendation for the polyethelene outer layer - brand and product name, thickness, etc. Also, the 'para' layer. Thank you!

[@descattysBushcraftbydescattys]

Thanks mate. For putting this video together, interesting stuff Thank you 🙏

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thank your for your comments. Glad to offer new information. Take care

[@TJackSurvival]

This was super excellently made. I’m sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with him than I did.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comment tjack. We are going to really miss Mors for certain. Take care

[@max_fjellstorm]

Hello sir, thank you for the great video series! Any chance you could tell me what shape Mors recommends to cut the parachute In order to use it for a single super shelter? Regards

[@MTwoodsrunner]

Thanks my friend...lots of good and useful info...i should try this...i have spent many a winter night shivering under a tarp...blessings!...woods

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments woodsrunner. I do hope you get to give the super shelter a try. Stay tuned for the video on how to correctly build it and correctly build the best fire arrangement for the super shelter. Take care

[@281covfefe5]

Awesome !! Thnxs for uploading and sharing this ! Looking forward to the variations that have been invented !!

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Homefree. I hope to have the next video up soon. Take care

[@aecarter1341]

excellent video.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks so much. I will be adding more to this series very soon. Take care

[@MarkYoungBushcraft]

This is what I have been waiting for Dale. I have been trying to visualize a system that it all-in-one and portable based on these principals. It would be good to see how the air exchange area is built into this shelter. Thanks so much

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Awesome Mark. The air exchange is coming soon. You and I should have a chat on the phone some day soon. I would enjoy that. Maybe in December, after hunting season is over??

[@16prospector]

@@NatureAliveAdventures Any update on the air exchange info yet- or did I miss that somehow?

[@capaddler]

Nice informative and engaging.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks Priscilla. Hope you are well and wishing for snowy adventures soon. Take care

[@magoolew5131]

How does this work with no fire in winter when temps are around -10 F? Did you ever test it at that temp?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments. It that temperature, it works well as a greenhouse when the sun is shining on the plastic front of the shelter. But you need decent full sunshine to trap a bubble of warm air inside. Without sunshine, or a candle(or two) inside, the shelter will not really warm up beyond what your body heat adds to the inside - with the front door closed. Its success at any temperature depends on the shelters ability to allow sunshine or radiant heat from a fire - to pass through the clear plastic, and be trapped inside the shelter. Without that external heat source, it's basically just a simple tent. Take care

[@bobbyduke777]

a poncho and liner would make a great ceiling and insulator

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Bobby. Yes that would be a great addition. I like hearing about innovative suggestions. Take care

[@badbassfishing9974]

Nicely Done!

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comment Bad Bass. Take care

[@AlexanderBushcraft]

Great video!

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comment. Take care

[@mrtqtran]

Awesome

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comment. Take care

[@20p65s]

Really good info. Regarding the fresh air exchange at the back, does the plastic not go all the way to the ground in back?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments. Yes, the plastic does not go all the way to the ground in the back or sides. This effectively creates a screen window to allow fresh air in without allowing insects and wind into the shelter. But it needs to be in the lower part of the shelter otherwise you compromise the trapped bubble of warm air that the plastic forms. Take care

[@20p65s]

@@NatureAliveAdventures Thank you sir

[@dexbackcountry8205]

Thanks for the valuable info. Thank you Mors for your insight and contribution. Now to add my ingenuity to it. Have you made videos 3, 4 and 5? If yes, could you please make a separate playlist called super-shelter. It would be so much easier to view them. Thanks.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Dex. I have created the playlist as you suggested. Part 3-5 is not yet complete - sorry. But soon. Take care

[@utubeape]

Do you think it would work to have rocks in the fire heating up then move them under the bed at night

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comment. Yes heating up rocks will certainly be a big help. There are two potential issues though: 1. Hard to find rocks in my area in winter as they are all under snow and frozen into the ground and impossible to gather. 2. Mors spoke of first nations people who used hot rocks for warming shelters - and they did mention that long term use of this method would create lung problems with people. Take care

[@utubeape]

​@@NatureAliveAdventures Thanks. I wonder what could have been the lung issue, you would think there would already be issues with all the wood smoke in general

[@mikerogers9711]

That is basically a reflection oven. Perfect.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Mike. Yes it is basically a reflector oven. When added to a survival kit, it makes an astounding and effective emergency shelter. In the coming videos, I will be showing the many variations that we have invented since Mors first began teaching the super shelter. Stay tuned. Take care

[@jmm2858]

where can I get a pair of your moc/boots?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Search Google for Canadian Military Mukluks. Or try Military Surplus Stores. Take care

[@joseymour2574]

I appreciate his use of these materials, however, we have winters of -30 to -45 and colder with wind chill that will tear away any warmth just inches from the fire even if there's no wind or snowstorm. Can this style of shelter account for these conditions?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments Jo. The super shelter works even better in bitter cold temperatures. My fellow instructors and I have tested this shelter many many times in bitter cold weather with huge success. And the shelter is so effective at capturing a warm bubble of air from the radiant heat of the fire, that the amount of firewood burned is reduced by half or more - compared to a regular open fronted shelter like a lean-to. I have experienced it many times. Take care

[@joseymour2574]

@@NatureAliveAdventures "compared to a regular open fronted shelter like a lean-to." I can think of a great many things that are warmer than a regular open fronted shelter-like lean-to. I'm curious to know how cold the bitter cold temps were that you speak of where this open super shelter worked even better in? Winter is coming to us here in Winnipeg mb and I would be interested in trying it out.

[@ghanaboyz]

@@joseymour2574 considering the tone you use (why?) seemingly showigng no polite apriciation of the reply you got, let me blunty ask: why not just make an effort yourself and try? What was stopping you? Surely a test could be made by such a sensible peson in reasonable safe conditions even with that cold? (being sensible being a must in such harsh conditions I think). Survival is highly situational and most really good buschraft and survival specialist knows very well that one must be able to build several different kinds of shelters depending on the situation at hand. Do you have the skill, material, time etc. to build a shelter of natural material such as the right type of snow, you may consider building any variation of that kind.

[@joseymour2574]

@@ghanaboyz Not a thing wrong with my tone in that comment, but let me also be blunt since your "rules" do not apply to your tone (not that I think there is anything necessarily wrong with being 'blunt' or straight forward but you seem to) -- women are tired of men trying to shame them and shut them down for speaking up and will often accuse them of being rude or using a tone when they were simply stating a factual opinion. It just doesn't work anymore, hon. Also you might want to use a spell checker.

[@theronin365]

What is the parachute layer?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

The parachute layer goes under the plastic outer layer. It serves to strengthen the overall skin of the shelter, it absorbs much of the condensation inside so that the moisture trapped in the bubble of warmed air doesn't drip on you, and it adds another layer of dead air space that increases the warmth of the shelter.

[@theronin365]

@@NatureAliveAdventures Is it actually parachute material is what I mean?

[@richardpopko8087]

What are the dimensions of the poly sheet for that single person shelter?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thx for your question. For a super small low shelter go with 12 ft x 12 ft. However, its easier to start with a big square sheet(16x16 or a bit bigger), and then trim off the extra plastic once you have built the shelter to the size that suits you best. It sucks to build the shelter and then discover afterwards that your polyethylene is too small. Good luck

[@jamesbowen5573]

Genius

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Awesome. Thanks for your comment. Take care

[@neohubris]

where is the next part of this video?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Sorry, haven't got around to finishing the next video yet. My apologies

[@NaeMuckle]

Sometimes mistakes are happy accidents.

[@DeUser1337]

I would love to know the name of these kids. To be able to thank them in the name of humanity. It's these stupid simpel things that change the game forever!

[@drizzt94]

Who else looked this up after Joe Robinet's last video?

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Hi Josh. Thank you for for comment/question. Can you explain more?? What does Robinet have to do with my super shelter video?? Thanks and take care.

[@drizzt94]

@@NatureAliveAdventures Joe's latest video was also about super shelters and over and over he was singing the praises of Mors Kochanski. I wanted to find more out about him, and when I searched youtube for super shelters, yours was at the top of the list.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

@@drizzt94 Awesome Josh. Thanks for filling in the blanks. I just had a look at Joe's video and now I get what is going on. I have also contacted Joe to see if he will be interested in sharing the link of our video so that Mors gets further recognition. Thank you so much. Take care

[@tjellis1479]

InfraRed heat(electromagnetic radiation)is invisible light that we cant see-only feel. The MKSS will make IR your BFF :)

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments TJ. I like that - MKSS makes IR your BFF. Awesome! Thanks and take care

[@shadowcastre]

The super shelters really do work. It's a shame that Mors didn't honor his students by naming it after them as the key component innovators, instead of naming it after himself! Thanks for the video...

[@BuckMckawtheotherone]

You're implying Mors is narcicistic, which is not so. He was inspired by what the kids did, and he says so, but Mors NEVER calles it the "Mors Kochanski Supershelter", he only refers to it as "the Supershelter". It's called the Kochanski Supershelter, by those of us who respect Mors, because HE invented it, not the kids. The kids made a greenhouse, which existed already. Mors correctly evaluated the usefulness of the poly as part of his idea for an improved shelter. Furthermore, Mors researched other component parts, the Igloo, the breathable fabric, the mylar, the raised bench, AND the domed frame, all on his own. You really owe Mors, and us, an apology for that insinuation.

[@shadowcastre]

@@BuckMckawtheotherone Whoa dude... you really need to chill! Any insinuations or assumptions are on Your part..! Try to have a nice day....!

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thank you for your comments Marcel and Shadowcastre. Marcel, I do agree with your comments about Mors, and yes, he always humbly calls it the super shelter. It was me who called it the Most Kochanski Super Shelter as that is how many of his students and instructors describe it. And Shadowcastre, I agree with you that many times we humans take credit for other peoples innovations - I guess that's what makes us human who fail and succeed our way through life. However, I do know that Mors openly acknowledges the teachers he has learned from in his career, and also his students. He speaks of his gratitude often and that attitude has spilled over to many of us who have worked with him. Thank you both and take care.

[@jungleebushcraft]

Plastic in nature Mors? Bad example!!!!

[@TJackSurvival]

This was super excellently made. I’m sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with him than I did.

[@NatureAliveAdventures]

Thanks for your comments TJack. We all will miss Mors so much. Thankfully there are many great people helping to share his legacy. Take care