Shelter
Thatch a shelter to shed rain
Thatching by shingle principle — bottom up, overlapping — turns loose vegetation into a working roof.
Step-by-step
Build a lattice frame with horizontal ribs no more than a hand-span apart.
Start at the lowest rib and lay bundles of boughs, grass, or bark with tips pointing down and butts pointing up.
Overlap each new bundle at least halfway over the one below.
Work all the way to the ridge, packing each course tight against the one under it.
Test by running a hand along the outside — you should not feel any gap where sky is visible through the thatch.
Tip: A rule of thumb: if you can see daylight through your thatch when you lie under it, it will leak in a real rain.
Related outdoor skills
Educational reference only. Wilderness conditions change fast — practice in low-stakes settings, take a certified wilderness first-aid course, and confirm regional regulations before you rely on any of these skills in the field.