Shelter · 6 min read

Tarp and emergency shelter basics for European weather

Four tarp configurations that handle wind-driven rain, how to choose a pitch site, and why a bivvy bag belongs in every kit.

Updated 20 August 2026

Key takeaways

Wind direction decides the pitch — set the low end into the wind, always.
A 3x3 m tarp with cordage covers more situations than a small tent.
An emergency bivvy weighs almost nothing and stops wind and rain reaching your insulation.
Site choice — drainage, dead branches, exposure — matters more than knot technique.

Four pitches worth practising

You do not need a catalogue of configurations. A lean-to for weather from one direction, an A-frame for rain from both sides, a closed-end A-frame for wind, and a flat tarp for shade or rain collection cover almost everything.

Practise each in the garden with cold hands and no instructions. Learning ridgeline tension and a taut-line hitch in comfortable conditions is what makes it possible at night in wind.

Lean-to: fast, open front, weather from one side
A-frame: rain protection, less internal space
Closed-end A-frame: best for wind, warmest
Flat pitch: shade, or funnelling rain into a container

Choosing the site

Water runs downhill and pools in hollows, so pitch on a slight rise even if the ground looks flat. Avoid the bottom of gullies entirely in heavy rain, and look up for dead branches before committing.

Natural windbreaks — a hedge, a wall, a bank — do more than any pitch technique. Keep the entrance away from prevailing wind and, if you are cooking, well away from the fabric.

The survival scenario: stranded overnight in a vehicle

Snow closes a road and you spend the night in the car. The car is your shelter, so the kit that matters is insulation and moisture control: sleeping bag, blanket, hat, dry layers, water and food.

Run the engine only briefly for heat, and only after checking the exhaust is clear of snow — blocked exhausts push carbon monoxide into the cabin. Crack a window while the engine runs, and keep a bivvy or blanket per passenger so you can stay warm with the engine off.

Blanket or bivvy per person kept in the car all winter
Clear the exhaust before running the engine
Run in short bursts, with a window slightly open
Keep water inside the cabin so it does not freeze solid

Frequently asked questions

What size tarp is best for emergency shelter?

3x3 metres suits one or two people and still packs small. It handles a lean-to, an A-frame or a flat pitch without being unwieldy in wind.

Do I need a tent if I have a tarp?

Not necessarily. A tarp plus a bivvy bag covers wind, rain and insects for far less weight, though a tent is warmer and easier for families with children.

Where should I not pitch a shelter?

Hollows and gully bottoms where water collects, under dead branches, and on exposed ridges. Slight high ground with a natural windbreak is ideal.