Choosing a shelter site

Hazards come from three directions. From above: dead branches, dead trees and rockfall. From below: water, damp and cold air. From the side: wind. A good site avoids all three and also offers level, dry ground.

Cold air is heavier than warm air. On clear nights the ground cools, the air above it cools too, and this cold air slowly flows downhill into hollows and valleys, where it collects like a lake. That is why the lowest point of a hollow is often noticeably colder and damper at night than a spot a little higher up the slope – even though it seems calm and cosy during the day.

Water always takes the lowest route. A dry streambed is a sign that water flows there when it rains – sometimes suddenly, when it is raining far upstream where you cannot even see it.

Really look up, not just briefly. Dead branches can often be recognised by having no leaves or needles, no buds, or bark that is peeling off. Leaning dead trees or trees caught in other trees are also warning signs. At the foot of a slope, fresh stones or scree fans point to rockfall.

When looking down, watch for debris lines – lines of washed-up leaves, branches and litter that show how high water has risen before. Check the ground for damp, roots, stones and ant nests. Lie down as a test: is something pressing, are you lying crooked?

A slightly raised, level area where rainwater drains away is ideal. If the spot slopes slightly, lie with your head uphill. Natural wind cover from rocks, terrain or dense vegetation helps – but not at the cost of sliding into a cold-air hollow.

Some hazards can be deadly, others are just uncomfortable. When you have to weigh things up, rule out the dangerous ones first: dead branches and trees, water in streambeds and gullies, rockfall and lightning. Only then do wind cover, level ground and a nice view count.

When thunderstorms are possible, avoid ridges, summits, open hilltops and solitary trees. Wind, rain or snow make falling branches more likely – exactly when you would most like to shelter under a dense tree.

Avalanche terrain and detailed flood assessment are specialist fields and need dedicated training. If you are unsure, choose a spot well away from slopes and water.

Practise choosing a site on every hike, even if you are not staying overnight. During breaks, ask yourself: where would I sleep here, and why not there? Over time you will spot dead wood, cold-air hollows and debris lines automatically.

On trips, plan enough time to search in daylight. Ten to twenty minutes of scouting is time well spent. Anyone who starts only at dusk often takes the first spot available – and that is rarely the best one.

Think about the rules too: where you may stay overnight, light a fire or collect material is regulated very differently from country to country and area to area. Find out about the local rules beforehand.