So I was reading this month's issue of the backwoodsman (fantastic magazine by the way) and i came across an article on the Whelen lean-to. I really like the nice open design of this shelter and it seems to fix a few of the normal issues with a standard lean-to. It's a single canvas tarp that has an awning and side flaps you can set it up with poles and rope or hang it from standing trees, it seems like an excellent piece of kit. Does anyone have any experience with this shelter option?
Whelen lean-to
- Thread starter ATough22
- Start date
MANIMAL
Guide
nope - but it made me order my first issue of the magazine to check out
i glanced over it. if it worked for Whelen, it should work for anyone. i concur, great magazine i've been a subscriber for nearly 5 years.
Well I'm wanting to get into a more "primitive" routine, and this seems like the perfect shelter for what I'm looking to do. Now don't get me wrong I love all my high tech gear but something about that style of camping is really attractive to me. My work just started carrying the magazine I definitely intend on getting myself a subscription in the near future.
Pbcrazy
Tracker
Aye, I saw that too. I too have been wanting to go a bit more... out-dated 
Something relaxing or peaceful about just using the same old stuff that was used for decades, rather than the latest and greatest.
That being said, I haven't used one, but I like the design. I thought about doing something similar, and simpler from a canvas drop cloth. Fold it length wise so I had 3 sections 3' wide by 12 foot long, then in the middle section, have two 3' equilateral triangles extending from the ends (more like cutting away the fabric), leaving a slightly larger than 6' main body. That way you have, rear panel, awning panel, and ground cloth, all in one, with side panels too. Could be configured as a traditional lean-to, a close and heavy weather lean to, pup tent, etc.
Something relaxing or peaceful about just using the same old stuff that was used for decades, rather than the latest and greatest.That being said, I haven't used one, but I like the design. I thought about doing something similar, and simpler from a canvas drop cloth. Fold it length wise so I had 3 sections 3' wide by 12 foot long, then in the middle section, have two 3' equilateral triangles extending from the ends (more like cutting away the fabric), leaving a slightly larger than 6' main body. That way you have, rear panel, awning panel, and ground cloth, all in one, with side panels too. Could be configured as a traditional lean-to, a close and heavy weather lean to, pup tent, etc.
wrbthe3rd
Scout
speaking of the backwoodsman magazine anybody here on the forum have any old issues they want to part with ?
W
wolfy
Guest
I'd be willing to bet that most of us hang on to them. I know I do and I have all of them since they started.......all except one that I missed when I forgot to renew my subscription one time and they had no back issue available to replace it:17:
Two Rivers
Guide
- Joined
- Dec 12, 2009
- Messages
- 1,332
- Likes
- 38
The Whelen has been my shelter of choice for years. I use the Army shelter half pup tent that I've modified. Not as much room as a full sized Welen but works fine for me. Have been contemplating making one from canvas drop cloths but my pup tent has served me well-en to this point.
StoneHopper
Scout
Give up my Backwoodsmans......NEVER. Go back almost 20 years of it.
Yes, got one, mine is 8'x8' at the front and about 12' from the ridge to the ground at the rear, I use the front flap as an awning and hang a thick bed sheet over the front opening as a privacy curtin, in cold weather I drop the flap for more insulation, and I use a small Coleman cataticic heater for warmth.
I put it away a few years ago, I now use my new Tentsmith's Museum Wedge tent, it's eight feet tall, 11' long and 10' wide, and has a five foot bell on the end.
I really like the Whelen for a one or two man camp, but it got cramped and a little primitive for my wife liking, so I got her a bigger one and It keeps us both happy, my only complaint about the Whelen was the weight, it's made of heavy weight canvas, in a lighter Sunforger material it would be more practical for humping, nice tent, excellent design, and with good stakes it'll hold up in a hurricane.
Hope that helps.
45jack, I really appreciate the share. I just got back from picking up this months mag. walmart was sold out, luckily Big Kmart had it still.
Anyone read Primitive Archer ? It was right next to the Backwoodsman. looked very interesting and showed bow making in some detail.
Anyone read Primitive Archer ? It was right next to the Backwoodsman. looked very interesting and showed bow making in some detail.
What are your modifications? I like the shelter-half as well.
Does a true Whelan have a flap to shed water at the ridge line? I think I'd get wet if the rain was falling straight down!
Last edited:
Roamer
Bushmaster
^^^Ditto! Would like to see how Two Rivers modified a shelter half into a Whelen. Pix please !
IdahoBackwoods
Guide
Years ago, I made a Whelen lean-to out of camo-pattern waterproof nylon. I used it for a year (1975) under various conditions in Utah. The trouble with it was that it had too much "sail" -- it would catch the wind and blow around and snap loudly no matter how taut it was staked down. This was not good in a wind-blown rainstorm.
I've attached a picture of me in the lean-to, talking to myself. The light comes entirely from the candle lantern.
I've attached a picture of me in the lean-to, talking to myself. The light comes entirely from the candle lantern.
Attachments
Sparks
Scout
Whelens are nice. I have all my back issues of backwwodsman sine about 1985 except for a couple that were lent and never returned "I re read them all the time
KYLongknife
Scout
I use to use a Baker tent until I got my 1st Whelen. I am negotiating with a tent and awning company as we speak to reproduce mine and make a second for loan. It makes a great Kohanski super-shelter too.
cloudraker
Guide
Thanks for the hands on view. One of the reasons I am not a big fan of lean-toos as a sleep shelter.
beekeeper
Scout
I have a Sutlers wedge tent (Panther tents) by having two ends that open you can raise one side for an awing to sit under or drop it as a wedge tent. The Sutlers wedge would make a super sized Whelen.
I'd like to try it as a super shelter by hanging clear plastic over the awing side. I think I'll try that when Tobit comes up this weekend.
I'd like to try it as a super shelter by hanging clear plastic over the awing side. I think I'll try that when Tobit comes up this weekend.
I saw this recently in the thread about a DIY canvas tarp. I folded up a piece of paper to simulate the 10x10 tarp. It will make a 5x7 footprint, with a partial floor and a triangular awning. I think the configuration was called the Adirondack.
Last edited:
redoleary
Scout
I have a whelen-esque lean-to that I made from sil nylon. I took some artistic license with it so I could hang my hammock under it and have it batten down really well in a storm. I love this thing, keeps the wind off me and of course the rain, never even been close to getting wet in it. I would imagine the traditional shape would be equally weather resistant.
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 22,431
- Likes
- 57,705
would love to see it... i'm trying to figure out a way to merge a lean-to frame with my hammock setup...
- Joined
- Jul 5, 2010
- Messages
- 22,431
- Likes
- 57,705
thanks. exactly what i needed.
MANIMAL
Guide
just got my very first Backwoodsman issue in the mail. Got it due to this thread about the Whelen - great magazine that I think ill subscribe 1 year to for now and am now on the hunt for a good whelen builder