How To Build A Bivouac Shelter

Step 1: You will need

Step 2: Preparation

Make sure you choose the right spot to make camp. If you are stuck outside after nightfall and it is dangerous to carry on you must work with the environment you find yourself in, but if you have a choice then there are a number of things to consider.
Where are you? If you are on high exposed ground, head to lower more sheltered ground. If you are in a valley, then head to higher ground. Hot air rises, so the lower ground will tend to be colder and damp.
Are there any natural resources? Ideally you would like to be near a water source, and a good source of fuel for your fire.
Are there animal trails nearby? You don't want deer are any other animals wandering through your camp at night.
Also spend a minute checking the area above where you intend to camp, are there any bees nests or dead branches in the trees? These may crash down on top of you in if the wind picks up.
Always try to camp at the edge of a forest, rather than in the middle of it, so that you can see what is going on around you.

Step 3: Location

To make a good camp you will need to find a flat piece of ground, You will also need two trees about 9ft apart. Make sure that the ground in between the trees is clear of any growth or foliage.

Step 4: Make pegs

You need to make some pegs from wood. Find a long branch about 1 finger thick and cut short pegs from it. Each peg needs to be sharpened at one end so that they will penetrate the ground easily. Then, cut a notch into the other end which the ropes will be secured to. As a final touch carefully trim the unsharpened end, this will stop the pegs from splitting when they are knocked into the ground.

Step 5: Construction

There are a number of ways to construct your camp, but if your sheet is big enough this is the best and warmest.
First lay out your bivouac and pull out all the corners in between the two trees to make sure it will fit.
Then, at about chest height, tie up one end of the bivouac. Once this is secure, do the same with the other end ensuring that the line in-between the two trees is tight.

Now you can start knocking in the pegs you made. Pull down the guy ropes so the bivouac is tight, attach the pegs to the ends, and secure the pegs into the ground. Do this until all the pegs are in. Once this is done tidy up the loose ends of the guy ropes. Lay your ground sheet underneath your shelter, and with the addition of a bevy bag, and sleeping bag, you now have a warm and dry place to spend the night.