Select a well-drained slope beneath sturdy tree cover for concealment. Excavate a rectangular pit three feet deep, piling displaced soil around the perimeter for added insulation and camouflage. Reinforce walls with woven branches and line with bark or clay to prevent collapse. Craft a sturdy roof from overlapping logs, then layer with thick branches, leaves, and a final earth covering—leaving a small ventilation gap near the entrance. Line the floor with dry duff and pine boughs for insulation. A discreet entrance tunnel hides your retreat while trapping warmth. This subterranean sanctuary maintains stable temperatures, shields from wind and rain, and offers peaceful seclusion deep within nature’s embrace.
