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Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure
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Extended Adirondack Tarp Shelter.

The “Wayland Snow Shed”

For some time now I have been using a square cotton tarp, set up on the  diagonal, to build a simple lean to shelter for Winter use when I'm not  using a hammock. This works well and has been dubbed by some as the Adirondack pitch, due to a resemblance to the public shelters built  along the famous trail there.

Wayland Shelter - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

When using this shelter in snow conditions, I tend to attach a small extra tarp sheet on one side of the front to form an annex and reduce the spindrift that enters from that side. This also works well, but requires careful attachment to make a  good seal and is prone to coming apart in strong wind.

The first  time I travelled to the Norwegian Arctic in Winter I was hit by repeated thaw/freeze conditions which effectively turned this cotton tarp into a stiff unmanageable sheet of ice and canvas and adding considerably to  the flight weight on the return journey. This prompted me to use a poly builders tarp on my next trip which was so cheap that I didn't even  bother flying back with it, donating it to a local camping centre in  Jokkmokk instead.

The background was set then for me starting to think about ways to improve this basic set up and after experimenting with some scissors, a  sheet of paper and a roll of tape I was ready to make this extended version of my Winter shelter that I tried out for the first time at a  small meet up in the Peak District.

Loaded to Leave - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.
Wayland Shed Cutting Plan - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

The construction is made from an 18'x12' poly tarp which is a fairly standard size and requires a 6'x6'  section to be cut from one corner. This section is then re-attached onto another edge to form an additional awning that can be folded down to cover the front opening if necessary, much like a traditional Baker tent.

The raw cut edges where the section was removed are taped  together, leaving a small hole for a ridge line or pole at the top. This forms a much stronger version of the walled annex that I found so  useful by adding a second sheet in snow conditions.

Wayland Shed PitchingPlan - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

The seams are joined using waterproof gaffa tape, which is again cheap and easy to  obtain. This is also used to re-enforce any raw cut edges, the guying  and support points to reduce the risk of the tarp tearing in windy conditions.

Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

It had a fairly good testing for this weakness on the Peak District meet as I set myself up on an exposed ridge with the back of the shelter facing into the prevailing wind.

Somewhat predictably, the poly tarp was a bit noisy in the wind, hail and rain that we had that weekend but the structure remained standing and the tarp suffered no damage.

I filled in the gaps along the bottom edges with loose leaves much as I would use snow in the Arctic and this made it cosy and draft free to the extent that Rob dubbed it the “Wayland Shed”

Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

As an idea of costs, the tarp was delivered for about £17 and I used a £2 roll of gaffa tape in the  construction. All the cordage was stuff I had lying around and though I took the poles with me on this occasion, in most Boreal forests, finding poles suitable for the supports would not be a significant problem or in many cases it could be built on lines strung between trees.

All in all, a cosy, secure shelter for around £20 can't be that bad and is easily repairable on site with a bit of gaffa tape on hand.

For trips abroad, where I often return with more than I left with, it's also not the end of the world if I do not fly home with it. There is always someone who can find a use for a spare builders tarp.

The Wayland Snow Shed - A hybrid tarp and snow constructed shelter.  - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

For our next planned trip to Kittilä, I’m hoping to be able to pitch it on some deeper snow and take advantage of the snowpack to make life even more comfortable by digging a footwell and kitchen bench.

Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

A weekend camp in August gave me a chance to  check out the full kit for our Kittilä trip and importantly an  opportunity to set up the Wayland Shed again, something I don't have the space to do at home.

Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

Obviously, building in snow was not an option here so I took a table to substitute for the food preparation area.

Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

I would have also sweltered in my Sub Zero sleeping system so I just used my bedroll in it's place as well

The floor area will be excavated into the snow providing a cold well and extra head room.

Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.
Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

There is plenty of storage space against the front wall and  useful hanging space above.

 

It highlighted a couple of very minor modifications that need to be made before the trip.

Mainly slight tweaks to the rigging.

Overall I think it is going to suit my needs very well.

Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.
Wayland Shed Test - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.
Tyvek Ground Sheet  - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

Following up an interesting tip I picked up from a book on ultralight camping, I have now added a Tyvek groundsheet for the sleeping area.

Tyvek Ground Sheet  - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.
Eyelets in Tyvek Ground Sheet  - Ice Raven - Sub Zero Adventure - Copyright Gary Waidson, All rights reserved.

I had already come to appreciate the properties of Tyvek from the boot covers I recommended elsewhere, but hadn’t thought of it for this use.

There are two types used in the building industry apparently and this is the softer handling type. Pretty robust, strongly water resistant and plain white on the top side. It packs pretty small too as you can see.

I added some brass eyelets in the corners for pegging down and the whole thing weighs in at 338g to cover the 8’ sq footprint of the Wayland Shed.

That’ll do nicely and give me a bit more dry space to work with too.

 

Sub Zero Crew - Bushcraft UK

Unless noted otherwise, all photography, artwork and content on this site is copyrighted. © Gary Waidson 2020 All rights reserved

The Ice Raven Project promotes sustainable and low impact bushcraft and wilderness skills in Arctic and winter conditions. This includes the use of  tents, tarps  and snow shelters where possible. Fires are only used where safe and where use and collection of firewood will not damage the natural environment. We often travel to locations by public transport and then use snowshoes, sleds, toboggans and pulks to transport our equipment into the wilderness.