Okay, you've found yourself in a bug-out situation where you'll have to spend 1-2 nights in the rainy woods. Let's say the weather is warm and you just need protection from the rain and chilly midnight breeze. Luckily you have with you two drug-store plastic disposable ponchos (no grommets), 50 feet of "550" cord, and your multi-tool/knife of choice. The questions are, what type of shelter do you build using just these items, and how do you build it?

Er, I think I'll stay out of this one.

If anyone comes close to my solution, I'll agree with their approach. <img src="images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

Its certainly a good scenario to discuss, given the weather lately!

i proberbly just use it as a tarp/basha.
i never had handeld a disposable poncho, but maybe you can take round rocks and put it in the corners and make a knot in it so you can use it to attach the cord. Not sure what i would build, but i will use a site were you are reasonaly sheltered from the rain and wind by nature. Construct some something with the poncho's, maybe a flying diamond, if possible( a poncho looks kinda small ). depending on the surroundings. Or i can build a A frame type of tarp with the 2 poncho's ( 2 lean-to's facing each other ? ) and close one open side using branches, which i can saw or breake to the right size and cut a sharp end so i can secure it beter to the ground.

Are you on the move or are you sheltering in one place?

On the move:
In an on the move scenario just wear a poncho and keep moving. When you are tired sit on the other one to keep your backsides dry. If you move too fast and work up a sweat you will be just as wet as if you had no poncho. Move slowly and deliberately, keep moving enough to keep warm but not so much as to get hot. You should be able to keep moving for the 2 days specified with small breaks for food, water and rest. If you have a place to get to then just get there and be done with it - you can dry yourself by the fire of the wood stove in your back-woods cabin once you get there.

Sheltering in one place:
You specified "woods" so you have more than just the ponchos you also have the material for a decent debris hut. Construct a smallish lean-to against a tree as skeleton, cover with the ponchos such that they overlap and shed water. This should provide something like 6 foot by 9 foot of rain protected area. Cover with debris to keep in place. If you can build a small fire at entrance you will keep out most insects and other nasties as well as provide some warmth. Push out all debris from within back to bare ground and you should be able to stay fairly dry. This shelter should be good for a few weeks but takes too much time to construct for an on the move scenario.

I forgot E&E scenarios. There are two -

1) "THEY" are actively looking for "YOU". Escape
This is the same as the On the move scenario above until you can convert it into the other E&E scenario

2) "YOU" are avoiding being noticed by "THEM" Evasion
This is much more the sheltering in one place scenario above with the additional burden of requiring camoflauge work. More debris on the hut, hut smaller and leaning against stone or large fallen log so-as to look more natural. Constant vigilance on footprints or leaving paths through the brush. No fires. Don't eat or relieve yourself near your hide, or in the same place twice. etc.

Good thinking. I like your sheltering in one place setup.

I too would go the natural shelter route - find the best natural shelter available, paying particular attention to drainage - you want your floor to be as dry as possible! Supplement the natural situation with debris and branches, using the ponchos where necessary. Pebbles or coins (anything small) tied in the corners will serve to anchor the ponchos. I might want to reserve one poncho for a floor covering if I can't find anything resonably dry.

If you build it right, you might not need the ponchos at all. I always prefer natural shelters, the result of living in the Southwest with its abundant and dry rockshelters...

I would actually wear one of the ponchos immediately. Then I would take the second poncho and skin the hood with my knife of choice. The remaining body is then slit in two equal rectangles. Utilizing the large awl from my PSK, I then make a series of holes down the long edges . The paracord is then cut into several short lengths, tied in a series with hanging edges for fringe to form two leggings. I take another length to tie the leggings to my belt loops.The remaining hood has just become rain bucket, bandanna etc. Then I make a proper shelter with natural shelter and added materials. Addendum: The fringe acts as a wick to draw water down and away from the garment, and is not just for show <img src="images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

In the event that I needed to lace the paracord through the poncho, i'd make little squares of duct tape and cut a hole in the middle of it, to reinforce the poncho where i was putting the para cord through it...yes, i have a about 5 feet of duct tape wrapped around the kydex sheath of my knife of choice for just such an emergency.

-Chris

For a temporary stay in our pine/cedar forests, I'd find a cluster of trees and kick the deer out. The combined overhead cover, as well as the small branches that I cut and used to cover the ground, would help to keep me concealed, dry and warm. One poncho would be worn to help block any wind and to keep the moisture off of me and assist in retaining my body heat. The other would be used to capture water and along with my paracord, would be saved in case that more dire circumstances arose during the time I'm away from home.