You will learn in this article some of the most common natural shelters out there.
We will never truly know when a disaster, whether man-made or natural, will strike. The majority of the time, they’re unpredictable and sometimes unstoppable.
When these kinds of unfortunate events come, especially in areas where disasters are common, you definitely want to be ready to act in order to survive.
To help increase your chances of survival and to help you be prepared, we have put together this list of 9 natural shelters for bug-out situations.
9 Natural Shelters for Bug-Out Situations
Shelter #1: Caves
The world of today is becoming very populated. So, caves may not be common to find, especially if you live in very urbanized areas. However, we thought to add caves to the list because they’re still great natural shelters to take advantage of.
Moreover, caves are probably the best and safest place to take shelter in, compared to others on this list. This is usually because there’s only one way in for any intruder to come from.
Also, caves are perfect for keeping any disasters out as some can be fairly deep. If you do find a nice cave, contrary to what you see in movies or television shows, you just need to make sure that no other people or wildlife already live in them.
It’s very rare for caves to be completely empty nowadays. After all, if they’re good places to hide for us, then they’ll be good places to hide for other living creatures too.
Shelter #2: Undercut banks
Most people are not aware of what an undercut bank is. But, if you do know what they are and you see one, then consider them as good spots to hide in. Undercut banks are great if you want to escape harsh winds or the chilly breeze.
Because these natural shelters are found around the borders of rivers and lakes, you need to be aware of the tide that may creep in during the night.
Other than that, you don’t have anything else that’s major to worry about. So, you can feel free to settle in and even catch a few fish if you ever get hungry.
Shelter #3: Under a pine tree
If pine trees are common in your area or near your home, then you’re one lucky human. Pine trees tend to be huge, so their branches will act as good coverings from the rain or snow.
The best thing about trees, in general, is that you can use their branches to build a shelter.
The cones from pine trees are also great to build or keep your fire going throughout the night.
Furthermore, if you’re afraid of bears, for example, using a combination of pine cones and pine branches will work really well as weapons.
Shelter #4: Deadfalls
Dead-falls are very interesting natural shelters and one that you will end up being very grateful for. These are mostly dead trees but sometimes large rocks that have fallen and have been caught on another rock or tree, thus forming a natural shelter.
If you live in forested areas, then these are the natural shelters you should look out for. They are like nature’s home-made houses, so they’re perfect for people needing a place to sleep during a disaster.
Because half of the shelter work has been done, the only thing left is to close off the open sides for extra protection.
Shelter #5: Rock formations
Finding spots where random rock formations have created a natural shelter can be common in rocky or mountainous areas.
If you’re feeling exhausted or fatigued from all your searching, then these natural shelters will be an amazing sight to see. Basically, any kind of hole or empty slot where you can fit in is considered to be a rock formation shelter.
So, this is similar to dead-falls, although dead-falls are more associated with dead and fallen trees. You just need to make sure that the rock formation is steady and firmly in place to avoid being crushed.
Other than that, you’re free to set-up your temporary home under or inside these rock formations.
Shelter #6: Animal dens
It is natural and common for all sorts of land animals to create dens to live in. This can work really well in your favor, as these places can also be comforting to take shelter in. But, the scary thing about animal dens is literally the word “animal”.
If you do come across an animal den, always scout your surroundings first, especially if the den is large.
It might do you good to be extra safe and create a protective barrier if you still feel unsure. The last thing you want is to be woken up by a beast as you sleep.
Shelter #7: Trees
As a last resort, and if everything else fails, you could always rest under a tree. You can even sleep on top of certain tree branches if they’re large enough.
The greatest advantage of trees as natural shelters is that they’re everywhere, regardless of where you live.
Anyone can take cover under trees. Using a tree as your shelter can also open you up to countless possibilities to set-up using the raw materials around you.
Moreover, trees are natural at keeping away the rain or wind, so you can never go wrong with choosing a tree if nothing else is available.
Shelter #8: Hollow trees
Hollow trees are another great option if you ever find one.
They can make you feel safe and comforted, just like a cave, especially if the hollowed-out tree is of a significant size. But, just like an animal den or cave, you should first and foremost check for signs of other living occupants.
Although you can find creatures in other shelters that are on this list, you might specifically notice them in hollow trees. Bugs or insects tend to love living near trees or where there’s good vegetation.
So, besides finding creepy creatures, what you want to avoid are the deadly ones, such as spiders or snakes. You just need to be careful when going into dark places like hollow trees tend to be.
Shelter #9: Abandoned sites
Lastly, the final one worth mentioning are abandoned sites. Most abandoned sites are man-made, so they tend to be safe from animals or dangerous wild creatures.
However, keep in mind that these sites have been abandoned for a reason, so do still be careful, even if the abandoned place is a cottage or shack in the middle of nowhere.
You’re already scared out of your wits from the disaster you’ve had to run from, so you don’t want to add murderers or serial killers to your list.
In addition, be extra careful inside tall buildings. Despite their looks, there maybe a chance that they could collapse at any time.
Conclusion
These 9 natural shelters for bug-out situations will certainly help you know what to keep an eye out for. It is true when they say that knowledge is power.
So, having the knowledge of where you can go and find shelter in the wild will no doubt increase your chances of survival to fight another day.
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