Over 100 days, I transformed raw earth and fieldstone into a resilient dugout shelter. Days 1–20: excavated a 10×12-foot pit, reinforcing walls with timber. Days 21–50: hauled and dry-stacked local stone for walls, using clay mortar for stability. Days 51–80: crafted a timber-and-thatch roof, then sealed it with mud and lime plaster for waterproofing. Final days: installed a stone hearth, ventilation shaft, and camouflaged the entrance. Rain tested the roof; wind howled—but the shelter held firm. More than survival, it became a testament to patience, resourcefulness, and the enduring strength of stone. On day 100, I lit the first fire inside, warmth echoing off ancient rock.
