Surviving a -36° Night - No Tent & No Sleeping Bag

Introduction

This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide on how to survive a night in extreme cold conditions, specifically at -36°C, without a tent or sleeping bag. Drawing from a real-life experience shared by Kusk Bushcraft, you'll learn essential techniques for building shelter, starting a fire, and staying warm using minimal gear.

Step 1: Select Your Location

• Choose a Safe Spot: Look for an area away from potential hazards, such as falling branches or steep drops.
• Natural Shelter: Identify natural features, such as uprooted trees or rock formations that can help provide wind protection.

Step 2: Gather Essential Gear

• Basic Equipment: For this outing, you need the following five items:
  • A reliable knife (e.g., Helle Sigmund)
  • An axe (e.g., a 2 1/2 lb German-made boys axe)
  • A kettle for boiling water (e.g., a 9-cup aluminum percolator kettle)
  • A ferro rod for fire-starting
  • A small pouch with food (e.g., dried meat and hardtack)

Step 3: Start a Fire

• Fire Importance: A fire is crucial for warmth and hydration in cold environments.
• Fire Setup:
  • Use the ferro rod to ignite tinder.
  • Gather dry wood and build a fire in a safe area, using logs and branches.
• Fuel Management: Start with smaller logs and gradually add larger ones to maintain a consistent heat output.

Step 4: Create a Shelter

• Utilize Natural Resources: Use dead logs and thick bark to construct a simple shelter.
• Design Your Shelter:
  • Create an entrance that is open enough for airflow but sheltered from the wind.
  • Lay down dead boughs for insulation and comfort, followed by green branches on top.
• Heat Retention: Position the fire to reflect heat back into the shelter. The root ball of an uprooted tree can serve as a heat sink.

Step 5: Prepare for the Night

• Hydration and Nutrition:
  • Melt snow in your kettle for drinking water.
  • Prepare a simple meal, such as beef jerky and hardtack, which are lightweight and don't require refrigeration.
• Dry Your Footwear: Place wet boots near the fire to dry out before sleeping.

Step 6: Monitor Temperature and Fire

• Keep Track of Temperature: Use a thermometer to monitor temperature drops.
• Adjust Fire Size: Keep the fire burning brightly by adding wood throughout the night, ensuring you have enough fuel to last until morning.

Step 7: Sleep Strategically

• Sleep Position: Lay down and alternate sides periodically to keep warm.
• Wake Up Regularly: Set a mental timer to wake every 20-30 minutes to check on the fire and adjust as needed.

Conclusion

Surviving a night in extreme cold without a tent or sleeping bag is challenging but achievable with the right techniques and gear. Key takeaways include selecting a good location, building an effective fire, creating a suitable shelter, and managing your food and hydration. This minimalist approach not only tests survival skills but also deepens your connection with the outdoors. Consider practicing these skills in milder conditions before attempting extreme cold camping. Happy trails!