Bark Shanty

Categories: CAMPAIGN LIFE IN THE WILDERNESS.

This is made by first driving into the ground two forked poles

seven or eight feet in height and stout enough to sustain a ridge

pole of moderate size. Against this ridge pole other poles should

be rested at intervals of two feet, and sloping to the angle of

forty-five degrees. The frame-work thus formed should now be covered

with bark, commencing at the ground and allowing the edge of each

piece to overlap the one ben ath


after the manner of shingles, in order to shed the rain in case

of storm. Spruce or birch bark are excellent for this purpose,

and the pieces may be secured with nails, and kept flat by the

weight of another series of poles rested against them. The sides

of the shelter should be treated similarly, the front being usually

left open to face the fire, which the trapper generally builds a

few feet distant. In constructing a bark shanty, it is well to

select some spot protected from the wind, close to the foot of a

mountain or in the midst of trees, always letting the open side

face the direction most sheltered.



If desired, the front can be enclosed after the manner of the sides

and top, but this is not required where the fire is used.



This style of shelter is represented in our page title to this section,

and certainly looks very comfortable.