Would you like to build a Thatched Hut as a long term shelter option?

Building a Long-Term Thatched Hut Shelter
In this video, we'll walk you through the process of building a long-term thatched hut shelter using natural materials and traditional techniques. By following these steps, you'll create a sturdy and weather-resistant shelter that can provide comfort and protection for extended periods.
Materials Needed
Grass bundles (harvested in late summer to early autumn)
Cordage (for lashing and tying)
Hoop structures (to form the skeleton of the shelter)
Fork sticks (for creating raised beds)
Optional: Leather gloves for hand protection
Step 1: Harvesting Grass Bundles
Preparation: Ensure your hands are protected, either with leather gloves or by being cautious during handling.
Gathering Grass: Select a bundle of grasses and gently twist them to identify the location for cutting.
Cutting Grass: Use a saw with a serrated edge to cut through the bundle cleanly. Lay the cut grasses in a uniform direction, forming a sizable bundle.
Step 2: Creating Twine Balls
Prepare Cordage: Find the center of your cordage and mark it with a slipknot.
Winding Twine: Wind the cordage from both ends into balls, similar to yarn balls. These twine balls will be used for lashing bundles together.
Step 3: Lashing Hoop Structures
Determining Length: Measure approximately one-third of the overall length of your grass bundles to determine where to place the hoops.
Square Lashing: Secure the grass bundles to the hoop structures using square lashing technique. This involves wraps and fraps to create a sturdy connection.
Tying Off: Finish the lashing with clove hitches or knots, ensuring tightness and stability.
Step 4: Thatching the Shelter
Layering Grass Bundles: Lay the grass bundles over the hoops, overlapping like shingles to shed water effectively.
Tying Grass Bundles: Use the pre-made twine balls to tie down the grass bundles securely, preventing them from shifting or loosening over time.
Step 5: Adding Final Touches
Securing Grass Mats: Use additional grass mats to cover any remaining openings, ensuring the shelter is fully enclosed.
Building Raised Bed: Create a raised bed inside the shelter using fork sticks laid parallel to the walls. This bed will capture heat radiated from a hot rock placed inside the shelter.
Optional Features: Consider adding a raised door using a hoop structure and creating storage space underneath the raised bed by leaving one end open.
By following these steps, you'll construct a durable and sustainable thatched hut shelter capable of withstanding various weather conditions. This shelter provides not only protection but also a comfortable living space for long-term use. Remember to maintain the shelter by periodically tightening lashings and replacing grass bundles as needed.
About the School:
At Maine Primitive Skills School, individuals discover a haven dedicated to the exploration of survival techniques, primitive skills, and nature education. Led by survivalist Michael Douglas, who has taught wilderness and survival skills for over 30 years, the school offers a diverse range of courses catering to every skill level, from beginners to experienced outdoorsmen. Douglas, with his wealth of experience, has also served as an advisor on several TV shows, bringing his expertise to a wider audience. The school's mission is evident: to equip its students with the practical knowledge and hands-on experience necessary for success in wilderness and survival environments. Classes are diverse: mastering fire-starting methods to refining tracking abilities. The survival school has also served as a springboard for instructors, providing expert knowledge and guidance for those who wish to start their own wilderness and survival skills ventures. Based in Maine but teaching internationally.
This course is called Long Term Off Grid Shelter Building 5 Day Intensive, we do change the design each year.
www.primitiveskills.com
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