Building a permanent shelter serving as base camp for future survial and camping experiences in a almost prestine jungle in Surinam. Camping in my opinion improves your health

In the first blog Introduce yourself I told you this would be more about camping in the jungle.

The very first time, my father came along with me.

We started walking at the crack of down.
We did not know what was ahead of us. We knew there was a small creek flowing into the river, but not how far.
It took us about 6 hours to reach that ideal spot .
It was there where the smaller creek flowed into the river.
To give you an idea about the area: The small creek ended in the narrow river which ended in the major river which is about a mile wide.
We ate and drank something and immediately after that we explored the area and cleared a pretty large piece and build a small shelter so we could hang our hammocks and stay dry if it should rain.
It was the dry season, but in the tropics you never know.
We also picked the spot where the permanent shelter would be build, not too far from the creek.
We discovered very much bamboo in the area.
Meanwhile it was almost dark so we started preparing for the night.
Later we build a fire and lit the storm lantern.
We washed up in the creek, ate some of the food we brought with us and went to sleep early.
The next day we had to return home (2 days away from the farm was already too long) and planned to leave at about 2 pm.
The next day we chopped down 9 small forked trees about 6 inches thick which gave us the 6 beams that would form the 4 corners and the support in the middle and 3 (one in the middle for extra support) much longer ones to form the top of the roof of the permanent shelter and give it it’s “A” shaped form .
We had brought wit us an axe, 2 machetes, a saw, a small spade to dig deep holes and as much camping gear as we could carry.
We chopped down as much material as possible to build a large sturdy hut and brought it all to the spot where we would later build our structure.
Time was up and It was time to go home. We left the tools and the rest of the gear behind which was hung on the beams of the shelter covered with plastic.
Because we cleared a path the day before, our way back took us only about 3 hours (no chopping, just walking).
The next week 2 friends (city boys with guts) wanted to spent 10 days with me in the jungle to build the camp and have some camping, hunting, fishing and surviving experience. We carried a lot of gear and useful items to the camp that would also be left in the hut and 2 extra saws
We also brought 2 more storm lanterns and about 2 gallons of petroleum.
We arrived at about 10 am.
First we enlarged the small shelter so we had room for 3 hammocks.
We also gathered much firewood.
Now construction could begin.
We dug 9 pretty deep holes (about 35 inches deep) and placed the forked beams in the holes.
After adjusting a few times everything was pretty level and in line.

We then positioned 2 beams in the forks and 2 beams horizontal on top of these beams on the outside in a rectangular way.
We placed these beams on the outside of the vertical beams because these beams would carry our hammocks and this way the vertical beams would give extra support.
We also placed a very thick bamboo pole in the forks of the 3 longer beams (this was the top of the “A”shaped roof).
Everything was tied together with lianas.
We then called it a day and started preparing for the night.
We had brought food with us so we did not have to cook that day.
Bathing we did in the very clean Coca Cola colored creek.

That night my friends for the very first time in their lives heard a jaguar roaring and they were scared.
To them was as if the jaguar was in the camp.
The next day after breakfast we stared constructing the hut.
All the material was now sawn to the correct lengths with clean cuts
After that we constructed the “A”-shaped roof frame with bamboo poles (bamboo is so easy to work with).

While my friends were sawing the material I went away to catch some fish.
Within an hour I was back with a 20 lbs Wolf fish or Anjoemara as it is called in Suriname.

We then chopped down a lot of about 2 inches thick bamboo, then sawed them to the correct length and placed them all around the structure 4 inches apart tight firmly with lianas (this was to protect us in the future while sleeping from large predators.
Now that the frame was complete we started to chop down palm trees to build the roof from the leaves (we needed a lot).
It took us about 4 days to finish (we did not work 4 days in a row 8 hours a day, but all the hours together it was about 4 days) but the result was a sturdy and roomy construction. We could hang at least 4 hammocks, and still have plenty of room.

We later build another smaller shelter away from the hut to be our cooking area.
Because of the fire used for cooking we made the roof of bamboo which was very easy.
Just split the bamboo in two, remove the inner parts so they form a gutter and place them on each other (one with the hollow side up, the other with the hollow side down and so on) and you have a watertight roof.

This roof was flat one side about 7 feet high and the lower side about 5 ½ feet.

Because of the jaguar we heard the very first night, the second day I gave my friends some split bamboo and showed them how to make a bow, arrows and how to harden the arrow tips in the fire.
We also made some spears from bamboo.
They never held a bow before, but after practicing they were able to hit a target which gave them some peace of mind.
After the roof of the hut was finished we removed. They and I must say me too, felt a lot safer.

To avoid becoming boring, I will tell you more next time.

Keep in touch.

Paul

Photo bamboo roof Wikipedia memphite.com
Photo anjoemara Wikipedia total fisherman

Please keep in mind , there are no pictures of 50 years ago.
All the pictures are from the present to give you an idea about then.