BASHA BUILDING
FRONTPAGE...
To be able to play HARDCORE 2-5 day games @ S.A.C. players must be able to stay out overnight in any weather conditions. Yet tents are frowned upon, as they can often compromise the team they are harbouring. Indeed players with tents, mainly stay in the SAFE ZONE, which avoids this problem.

A BASHA is more covert, than a tent; mainly due to it being cam pattern, but also as it is much lower to the ground and can be set up in places that a tent would not have enough room (ie. under a bush).

In order to set up this basic/multipurpose shelter, a BASHA (best) or PONCHO (second rate) is required. Indeed any tarpauline sheet with eyelets will do the job. A set of BUNGEES (6+) really helps, along with an array of aluminium tent pegs. Lastly a ball of twine can really come in handy at times.


1) SITE THE BASHA. Look around for somewhere, that offers enough level ground, to at least sleep on. Also, the SITE, must have enough features around it, to allow the BASHA to be secured above ground level. Ruts in the ground or divits are often good, while having 3+ nearby trees is also ample. Although it is hard to find somewhere that is "perfect." Try to look for somewhere with plenty of natural cover.

2) CLEAR THE GROUND. Using an shovel/trowel or you foot; Clear the Ground that will be underneath the BASHA. This stops you sleeping on a bed of uncomfortable logs and rocks. If you have a small ground sheet, then spread it out now and secure it with tent pegs in each corner.

3) PLAN THE ROOF. Get the BASHA out and lay it on the floor, where you envisage, it will be positioned. Make a plan: will the roof be all angled 1 way? Or an A-FRAME? Then work out where each corner will be attached (either with twine, bungee or tent peg). Using bungee's, the BASHA can then be erected quickly. Simply hook the bungee to the eyelet on the basha and around a tree/branch before securing the hook back on itself. Just do each corner quickly, to get the BASHA up and look how it needs to be be altered/repositioned. Remember that a BASHA needs to have have one side lower than the other, for drainage of rainwater.

4) SECURE THE ROOF. Once you are happy with the situation of your ROOF, secure the RIDGE (ie. central loop) to an overhanging branch or tree, using either bungees or twine (if it is high up, then throw the ball of twine over the bough). Any corners that need securing to trees/cover a longer distance away (upto 5m) should be done so with twine. Should there be nowhere to secure the corner, then simply use a tent peg direct or make a guy rope (using either twine or a bungee). The ROOF should aim to be as low as possible, if concealment is an issue/aim.

5) CHECK DRAINAGE. Look at how any rainwater would behave on the BASHA ROOF. Identifying any areas where water might collect. If any such areas are identified, lower that particular corner, until you can see that pooling will no longer be a problem. Indeed, bungee's are best for building BASHAS, as they are quickest to use and also "tension" the BASHA, avoiding sags than can pool water. Make sure that the ground sheet will not get wet from any "run off."

6) GET KIT STOWED. Once you are happy that the BASHA is secured; stow all of your KIT inside, in an organised way. Ensuring that any "run off" will not soak the equipment. The equipment can be positioned to provide cover and a small opening from which to observe.
click here for FIELD KIT
1: SITE THE SHELTER
FIELD KIT
3: PLAN the  ROOF.
4: SECURE the  ROOF.
2: CLEAR THE GROUND
ACTUAL AIRSOFT
5: CHECK DRAINAGE
6: GET YOUR KIT STOWED.
skills....
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skills...
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