Larro goes underground

[txdon]

If you have a roof that blends into the foliage, the Tax man may never find it. Just have the edges irregular.

 

[Larro Darro]

If you have a roof that blends into the foliage, the Tax man may never find it. Just have the edges irregular.

I have an old shed that is tannish brown metal sheeting, and needs to come down. I'm thinking of using some of that for the roof. A few leaves here and there and it shouldn't be visible from the air.

I would like to pour a concrete slab for a roof, but money.

 

[Larro Darro]

I needed to dig three front either on the front or the back. The tree roots in the back were much smaller, so that is the way I went. This is what 110 minutes of digging looks like. I dug out 3X3X12 on the north face. I have 12 more feet to go. But since I hadn't planned on going that far north, there is dirt piled up where I'll be digging. I'm going to use the 3930 and the dirt slip to see about moving as much of that as I can.



I had decided on a tent camping spot, dug a fire pit and started bringing in my pots and pans. I'm thinking of camping later this week, so I was figuring out the best way to hang a tarp when two deer ran through the camp. Another one stayed on the pond side, and I was able to get a picture of her. I'm wanting to hunt those deer later, so I thought it was best to move my camp off their trail. When I was looking for a better site, I came across the abode of another of my underground neighbors. This one looks like it is used for sure.

 

[rd_macgregor]

I suggest you not put your tent over that hole

 

[Larro Darro]

I suggest you not put your tent over that hole

Good idea.

 

[Duwop]

I see the neighbors are looking on the new neighbor, that's real cool. The site is taking shape time to break it in and get the bedroll out and a fire going. To enjoy it as your building is a good idea I think.

 

[Larro Darro]

I spent the first night at my new camp last night. After much walking and looking, I put the camp where my outside kitchen is going to go. I had to move my pole pile, then clean up some of the brush. I did most of that with the machete, saw and loppers. {I seem to have misplaced my nippers} But on the smaller stuff I did get the chance to use my old swing blade. And if nothing else, it gave me an excuse to say, "I like them French fried potaters."



I couldn't lay my hands on my regular tent, {although I got about two truckloads of other camp stuff from my river camp} but I did find one I picked up at a thrift store for a few bucks. It didn't have stakes, poles or a dew flap, but I Macgyvered it with haystring, grapevine and an old tarp. And it was after 1100 when I got my fire hole dug, but I brewed a pot of coffee and enjoyed a couple of cups before I turned in.

 

[txdon]

So the blue tarp keeps the water out and the tent keeps the critters out?

 

[Larro Darro]

So the blue tarp keeps the water out and the tent keeps the critters out?

I hope so. There are a few small holes in the bottom of the tent. I'm going back tonight, so the plan is to lay down a tarp as a ground cover too. I bought a camp coffee pot today, so I can retire the teapot.

 

[Larro Darro]

I used the shovel to work around the edges of the hole this morning. {and last night} Then got a little help from a true blue friend. But the 3930 is too long to maneuver very well in such tight confines, so I'm thinking of trying the boxblade or a grader blade on the B7500. Still haven't got around the trying the dirt slip thingie. I'm hoping it will work when the ramp gets too steep for the boxblade.

 

[hunt4570]

Nice project... looking forward to the read...

 

[Larro Darro]

Nice project... looking forward to the read...

Thanks. I'll be learning as I go. This is a first for me.

 

[hunt4570]

Thanks. I'll be learning as I go. This is a first for me.

Yeah, I do that a lot..

You going to pour a concrete floor in it?

 

[Larro Darro]

Yeah, I do that a lot..

You going to pour a concrete floor in it?

I've been looking into soil concrete. That is where you add dry concrete to the dirt already there, till it up, then soak it down. It has one more step I can't remember {some sort of hardener}, then has to be treated with a water sealer. I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible, and that seems to be a low cost option.

 

[hunt4570]

I've been looking into soil concrete. That is where you add dry concrete to the dirt already there, till it up, then soak it down. It has one more step I can't remember {some sort of hardener}, then has to be treated with a water sealer. I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible, and that seems to be a low cost option.

Cool.I've heard of that never new anyone that tried it. Cant wait to see how it does.

 

[rd_macgregor]

An hour or two with a skid steer and that hole would be ready to go...of course, you'd miss out on all that excercise!
Are you planning on solid walls? If so, what kind of foundation/footing will they have? As long as traffic/load won't be too heavy, I think your concrete-soil mix idea might work...but I don't have personal experience with that technique.

I don't think I have the patience (or energy) to do what you've taken on. I'd be more likely to take a shortcut, like this:
LiveLeak.com - Building In A Bag.

The Concrete Canvas web site shows how you can also cut holes for additional windows, in case you don't like living in a cave.

 

[Garycw]

Looks like a cool project. I've read through most of the post, but still trying to figure out the main purpose of the camp is?
Sorry if I missed something.

 

[Larro Darro]

An hour or two with a skid steer and that hole would be ready to go...of course, you'd miss out on all that excercise!
Are you planning on solid walls? If so, what kind of foundation/footing will they have? As long as traffic/load won't be too heavy, I think your concrete-soil mix idea might work...but I don't have personal experience with that technique.

I don't think I have the patience (or energy) to do what you've taken on. I'd be more likely to take a shortcut, like this:
LiveLeak.com - Building In A Bag.

The Concrete Canvas web site shows how you can also cut holes for additional windows, in case you don't like living in a cave.

Wow! That house in a bag is pretty impressive. When it gets to be mass produced and the price comes down, I might have to have one.

I'm using concrete blocks from an old corncrib for the walls, as far as they go. I will fill some of the block with cob {clay, sand and straw} but not all of them. And I will do the regular concrete footer for the walls, with gravel laid down beside it at a lower depth for drainage. Not exactly sure what I will use to finish the walls with, but some sort of wood. I'm planning on windows up near the ceiling on at least three of the walls. And maybe a small covered peep hole on the north wall {toward the road}.

 

[Larro Darro]

Looks like a cool project. I've read through most of the post, but still trying to figure out the main purpose of the camp is?
Sorry if I missed something.

Summer is long gone and fall isn't here for much longer. My gardening is done for the year, so I have three months to fill. Plus my camps on the river and creek have too much traffic for my taste. And since it looks like the pond is going to dry up again, other than cousins coming down to pick huckleberries in the spring, there is no need for anyone to head that way.

And I want to learn how to build underground. Margie and I have talked about a storm shelter, but she doesn't trust my building and although I'm not one of those crazy prepper types, I wouldn't want folks to know about my shelter. So if I have one, I want to build it myself. If I can build this camp so it doesn't fall on my head, I may get started on a shelter.

 

[Garycw]

Well, whatever the use, i'd like to have one too. Hunting or hidden storage of some sort. As long as I can keep the critters out including brown recluse & black widow spiders. When I was a kid, we had a nice under ground camp"fort". I think it must have been a old cement cistern or something. 10'x10'. Also made what I called soddies. Branch frames covered with sod. I've got a bunch of left over cement #10 blocks to do something with.