| The Poncho as supplied to the military makes a | | | | and some small stakes or pins. |
| good "rubber" blanket for a ground sheet, useful in | | | | You will find plenty of suitable material at hand. |
| many ways as a blanket, a wrap, a cushion, a | | | | Drive your two stakes the length of your poncho |
| bag, a sail, etc. etc. There is a slit in the middle, | | | | apart, and place your ridge-pole in position, which |
| covered by a hood. In case of rain slip the poncho | | | | should be a little less in height than the width of a |
| over your head and you are protected. It is very | | | | poncho. String two ponchos together by means |
| light. Carry one around with you at all times, even | | | | of the eyelet holes. Throw them over your |
| if you are off but for a few hours. | | | | ridge-pole hood side out and fasten tightly by the |
| The Poncho is used by every military force in the | | | | pins and small pieces of string run through the |
| world so if that doesn't convince you to pay a | | | | eyelet holes at the side. A third poncho protects |
| few dollars at your local government surplus store | | | | one end; the other end is left open for air and |
| then nothing will. | | | | light. This seems very narrow quarters, but they |
| I cannot recommend highly enough the use of the | | | | will sleep two comfortably, and have been known, |
| military Poncho. It is one of the most versatile | | | | by a very slight change, to accommodate three. |
| pieces of equipment ever invented.... If it's good | | | | This simple tent has the advantage of |
| enough for the army, it's good enough for our | | | | water-proof sides, is very light, and being in |
| camping needs. | | | | pieces, is easily carried, and can be made and put |
| If on your own the Poncho will make an excellent | | | | up inside of twenty minutes. |
| one man shelter (bivi) by simply attaching one end | | | | There is much gained by placing two logs parallel |
| to a tree or hedge and fastening the other end to | | | | to each other and setting your poncho tent upon |
| the ground using forked sticks as tent pins. This | | | | them. This gives far more space than appears at |
| only needs to be made high enough for you to | | | | first sight. |
| enter and sleep under. Even the sides can be | | | | If you cannot find logs, use small trees, large |
| fastened to the ground for wind protection | | | | stones and earth combined. |
| making a very snug sleeping area. | | | | Select a cheerful and dry spot for pitching your |
| Just like your cell phone, you never know when | | | | tent. Choose even ground and slightly sloping. If |
| you may need your Poncho. It protects you from | | | | you expect to remain in camp any length of time, |
| sudden changes in the weather. If overheated, it | | | | dig, or cut with a hatchet, a small trench around |
| is convenient as a wrap. If you are chilly put it | | | | your tent. This will prevent the water from higher |
| around you, holding it tight at the throat, and you | | | | ground around you running into your enclosure. If |
| will soon be warm, for, thin and light as it is, it is | | | | the trees are too thick, make an opening so as to |
| air proof as well as water-proof. If fatigued from | | | | let in the sunshine. Do not thoughtlessly cut down |
| overexertion, throw it on the ground, and lie down | | | | more trees than necessary, and in most cases it |
| flat on your back. | | | | will be found easier to find a sufficiently open |
| (Five minutes flat on your back is of more rest to | | | | spot, than to attempt to make one. Camp as |
| the body than an hour in any other position. When | | | | near to a spring or running water as you can, |
| you are resting make a business of it. Throw all | | | | even if you are on a lake shore as running water |
| care and worry, of either home or camp life, off | | | | is cleaner than that from a standing source. |
| your mind. Do nothing, say nothing, think nothing, | | | | Remember that if you always carry a Poncho |
| be nothing. Just relax and recuperate.) | | | | you will avoid the job of making a shelter for the |
| To make a poncho tent for two or three people, | | | | night, avoid getting soaked in a sudden downpour, |
| cut two stakes of suitable length, with a crotch at | | | | avoid sleeping on wet ground and avoid sitting in |
| one end to hold the ridge pole; cut your ridge-pole | | | | the rain at your camp fire. |