Forget flat ground—nature offers hidden foundations. I found salvation in a massive, decaying stump, its heart soft but outer shell surprisingly solid. Using my knife, I hollowed the core just enough, then wove flexible green saplings vertically into the spongy wood, anchoring them deep. Bent saplings formed a sturdy A-frame over the top. Layers of bark shingles, moss, and ferns created a waterproof, camouflaged roof. Inside, the stump’s natural cavity became a dry, insulated floor, raised above damp earth. This secret wooden hut, born from decay, offered warmth, concealment, and a profound lesson: true bushcraft sees potential where others see only rot. Survival thrives on resourcefulness.
