The most rewarding days in the wilderness are often those that involve a little bit of unexpected challenge. But what happens when that challenge goes sideways? When a sprained ankle, a sudden, severe storm, or a navigational issue leaves you stranded and the sun is going down? This is where the wisdom of the Ten Essentials of Hiking truly comes into play, and when it becomes obvious why an emergency shelter is one of the ten.
I used to view "emergency shelter" as something bulky, like an extra tent. Many hikers go out on their hikes with the same thinking, convinced that for a day hike, it isn’t necessary. While it is true that we may never need to use that emergency shelter, there is that one time when that shelter will be your lifeline. The question is: is that a risk you want to take? Picture a police officer telling your spouse, child, or parent that you succumb to the elements. Now is it worth bringing?
This isn’t meant to scare you into the ridiculous or make you exercise unreasonable risk management. In Yosemite National Forest alone, 158 people are found dead each year after getting lost, which often leads to death by exposure. Every one of these was preventable. So, it’s real. It happens. And it’s preventable.
As far as an emergency shelter goes, we don’t need to carry a heavy tent. We only need something to protect us from the elements. A small tarp or bivvy that weighs less than a pound will give you the needed barrier—something simple to block the wind and trap our heat. It's about buying time and preventing hypothermia. For those of us dedicated to a lifelong pursuit of the outdoors, carrying this simple, lightweight insurance is a sign of respect for the power of the wild.
Here is a look at why emergency shelter is vital and the practical, lightweight options available to ensure your safety.
The Core Reason: Preventing Hypothermia
In any emergency that leaves you stationary or stranded, exposure to wind, rain, or cold is your biggest threat.
- Wind and Water. Wind chill and moisture can drop your core temperature to dangerous levels very quickly, leading to hypothermia. This condition impairs judgment and physical function.
- The Key is a Barrier. An emergency shelter's job is not necessarily to provide warmth (your layers do that), but to create a barrier against the wind and shed water, keeping your primary insulation (clothes) dry and functional.
- Small and Lightweight. Modern emergency shelters are designed to be extremely compact and weigh mere ounces—a tiny sacrifice in pack space for potentially life-saving protection.
Practical, Lightweight Emergency Shelter Options
You don't need to carry a second tent. Here are the most common and effective lightweight options that should be in your pack, regardless of trip length.
This is my personal go-to for its superb performance-to-weight ratio.
- How it Works. A bivvy sack is essentially a large, durable bag made from a reflective material, often Mylar, that is reinforced to prevent tearing. It’s large enough to crawl completely into.
- The Benefit. It reflects up to 90% of your radiated body heat back to you. More importantly, it is windproof and water-resistant, providing immediate protection against the elements. It’s like a compact, personal survival cocoon.
This is the classic, affordable, and most lightweight option.
- How it Works. These are the ultra-thin, crinkly sheets of Mylar film. They are incredibly small when folded.
- The Benefit. They are great for reflecting heat, but are less durable and hard to manage in the wind. They are best used as an inner layer inside a makeshift shelter, draped over a person, or used as a ground barrier to prevent heat loss from below.
A slightly heavier, but more protective option, typically for two people.
- How it Works. This is a lightweight plastic or material tube that you can thread a rope through and suspend between two trees.
- The Benefit. It provides a true, elevated overhead shelter from the rain and wind, allowing you to sit up and potentially cook or attend to a minor injury with a bit more space.
Tarps are versatile. They can be set up in a variety of configurations depending on the need. They do require a little practice, but can be a longer term survival shelter.
- How it Works. This is essentially a tent made from a sheet of square or rectangle, highly water resistant material. There a also rain ponchos that can double as a tarp tent. This is what I normally have with me when I hike. Having tent stakes and some cordage will be very helpful in setting up a more secure structure. Here are some different configurations.
- The Benefit. This is the most secure method of shelter building. It does require some practice, but when proficient it can lift a hikers spirit and promote a positive outlook on a very difficult situation.
Best Practices: Location, Location, Location
Carrying the shelter is the first step; knowing where to use it is the second.
- Easy Access. Keep your emergency shelter in an outer pocket of your pack—not buried at the bottom. In a sudden downpour or injury, you need to access it immediately.
- Ground Insulation. Remember that the ground is often the biggest source of heat loss. Always try to put a layer (a dry backpack, a bed of pine needles, or your space blanket) between you and the cold, wet ground before sitting or lying down inside your shelter.
- Combine with Layers. Your emergency shelter is meant to augment your clothing layers. Use it to block the wind while wearing all your extra clothes to maximize the air trapped inside your system.
The Emergency Shelter is a testament to the wisdom we gain with experience: always be prepared for the possibility that the wilderness will ask more of you than you planned. By carrying this compact essential, you are ensuring that your active outdoor lifestyle is supported by prudence, safety, and the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’ve accounted for the unexpected.