SRL THE SELF-RELIANCE LIBRARY
SHELTER
STEP 4 OF 7 · SRL-SHL-004
1-PAGE FIELD SHEET
Natural Shelter Locations Explained
Purpose — Evaluate a natural feature with the same rigor as a built shelter before committing to it.
FIELD CHECKLIST
- Overhang ceiling checked for loose or cracked rock
- Overhang floor checked for old flood or debris lines
- Deadfall/root well push-tested for stability
- Conifer stand checked for overhead hazard and canopy density
- Full site read (slope, drainage, wind, cold pockets) still applied
RED FLAGS — STOP AND RECHECK
- Fresh rock chips or a cracked ceiling above an overhang
- Wood that gives or crumbles under firm hand pressure
DECISION RULE
Passes all hazard and site-read checks: use it. Fails any: treat it as a no-build zone, not a shortcut.
- Assuming overhangs are automatically safe
- Skipping the site read because a feature looks dramatic
SAFETY NOTE
BEFORE YOU ACT ON THIS SHEETNatural features are not exempt from hazard checks — apply the same ground-read and overhead scan used for a built shelter.
EMERGENCY REMINDERNever shelter under a feature you haven't checked for rockfall, flooding, or structural failure, no matter how bad the weather is.