Emergency Shelter Options for Hikers
An unplanned night in the backcountry can happen to any hiker. An injury, a wrong turn, unexpected weather, or simple miscalculation of time can leave you without your tent and sleeping bag. Carrying a lightweight emergency shelter and knowing how to use it can save your life.
Why Carry Emergency Shelter
Hypothermia is the leading cause of death in the backcountry. It does not require freezing temperatures: wet and windy conditions at 50 degrees can kill. Emergency shelter breaks the wind, retains body heat, and provides psychological comfort that helps you think clearly and make good decisions.
Even day hikers should carry some form of emergency shelter. The weight is minimal and the potential payoff is enormous.
Space Blanket (1-3 oz)
The simplest and lightest option. A metallized polyester sheet reflects up to 90 percent of body heat. At 1 to 3 ounces, there is no reason not to carry one.
Limitations: Space blankets are noisy, fragile, and do not block wind effectively unless anchored. They work best when wrapped tightly around your body or draped over a framework of branches. They are a last-resort shelter, not a comfortable one.
Best use: Wrap around your torso under a rain jacket for heat retention. Use as a ground cloth to insulate from cold earth. Signal for rescue with the reflective surface.
Emergency Bivy Sack (3-8 oz)
A step up from a space blanket, an emergency bivy is a body-sized bag made of waterproof, reflective material. You crawl inside and the bag retains heat while blocking wind and rain.
Advantages over space blanket: Fully encloses your body, blocking wind from all directions. Easier to use with no setup required. More durable than a space blanket. Provides better psychological comfort.
Models: The SOL Emergency Bivvy (3.8 oz) is the most popular ultralight option. The SOL Escape Bivvy (8.4 oz) uses a breathable material that reduces condensation inside the bag.
Tips: Climb in fully clothed. Tuck loose fabric under your body to reduce air circulation. Add insulation beneath you with a pack, rope, or vegetation since ground contact steals heat rapidly.
Ultralight Tarp (5-12 oz)
A silnylon or Dyneema tarp provides versatile emergency shelter that blocks wind and rain while allowing ventilation. Tarps range from 5 to 12 ounces depending on size and material.
Set up with trekking poles and cord, or drape over a ridgeline tied between trees. An A-frame pitch provides excellent wind and rain protection. A lean-to pitch maximizes warmth from a fire.
Tarps require practice to pitch effectively. Practice at home so you can set one up quickly in deteriorating conditions.
Natural Shelter
When you have no manufactured shelter, natural features provide protection.
Rock overhangs and shallow caves block rain and wind. Avoid deep caves which can flood. Sleep away from the drip line where water runs off the overhang.
Dense evergreen trees provide excellent wind protection and reduce heat loss. The space beneath low-hanging spruce branches creates a natural shelter. Add branches to the ground for insulation.
Fallen trees provide a windbreak on the lee side. Add branches leaned against the trunk to create a lean-to structure.
Snow shelters provide excellent insulation in winter. Body heat warms the interior of a snow cave or trench to near freezing regardless of outside temperature. Building one requires knowledge and practice.
The Importance of Ground Insulation
In any emergency shelter scenario, insulation from the ground is critical. Cold ground conducts heat away from your body many times faster than cold air. Sit or lie on your pack, a rope coiled flat, a pile of branches, dry leaves, or anything that creates an air gap between your body and the earth.
Mental Preparedness
The decision to stop and shelter rather than push on in deteriorating conditions is often the hardest part. Accept the situation early and devote your energy to creating the best possible shelter. A calm, warm night in an emergency bivy is far better than a panicked attempt to navigate in darkness and cold.
Recommended products to consider:
- MSR Hubba Hubba 2-Person Backpacking Tent - Red / 2 P ($400, 1.3 kg)
- Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 Backpacking Tent - Olive Green / 2 Person ($550, 1.2 kg)
- MSR Blizzard Tent Stakes ($30, 20 g)
- Mountainsmith Tent Stakes - 8-Pack ($10, 9 g)
- Snow Peak Aluminum Tarp Pole ($60, 1.0 kg)
- The North Face Wawona XL Ground Tarp ($85, 1.3 kg)
- Patagonia Capilene Cool Daily Graphic Hoody for Men - Fitz Roy Tarpon: Wispy ... ($50, 181 g)
Conclusion
Carry an emergency shelter appropriate to your typical conditions. A 4-ounce emergency bivy weighs less than a candy bar and can save your life. Know how to use it before you need it. The best emergency shelter is the one you have with you when the unexpected happens.