If I had to whip up a shelter from a dumpster‑grab, I’d start with the basics and keep the layout as simple as a house‑of‑cards so it’s easy to rebuild if something breaks. First, pick a spot that’s naturally protected—under a cliff, in a slope that faces away from the prevailing wind, and close to a water source if you can find one. That saves a ton on walls and insulation. 1. **Foundation** – use stones you can find to build a low, uneven platform. It keeps the bulk of the structure off wet ground and gives you a stable base for stacking. Lay the stones in a criss‑cross pattern for extra stability. 2. **Wall system** – the classic “A‑frame” works well. Stack fallen branches and spruce them with rags or moss as insulation. Add a layer of bark or dried leaves over the branches, then a final thin coat of packed mud or clay to seal it. Keep the wall height just enough to keep out wind but not so tall that you have to climb. 3. **Roof** – a simple thatch roof angled steeply so rain runs off quickly. Use the tallest branches you can find, weave them with reeds or even plastic bags for a quick waterproofing layer. If you’re in a snowy area, overhang the roof a little to keep snow from sliding right onto the walls. 4. **Ventilation** – carve a small gap at the base of the A‑frame for cold air to escape, and a bigger opening near the top for hot air. That way, heat from your fire stays inside without a chimney. 5. **Living area** – put a low stone or packed earth “fire pit” in the center. Surround it with a few large rocks or a circle of fallen logs to create a small “living room.” Place your sleeping area on the higher side of the A‑frame, a pile of leaves or moss for a mattress, and a rock wall behind it for privacy. 6. **Storage** – build a shallow “silo” out of packed dirt or a log box against the wall. Keep all the scavenged tools and any food you manage to stash in there. Keep the entrance facing away from wind, and add a simple latch made from rope or a bent branch. 7. **Water and waste** – if you can find a stream, direct a small channel to a storage pit. For waste, dig a latrine pit a few metres away, cover it with layers of dirt, and keep it a safe distance from the water source. Overall, the layout is basically a low‑height A‑frame with a central hearth, sleeping area on the upper side, a simple roof, and storage tucked against a wall. Keep everything as modular as possible; if a branch breaks, just replace it with another. The trick is to make every part of the shelter serve more than one function so you’re not hunting for spare material. And if it starts to look like a pile of junk, just remind yourself that even a pile of junk can be useful if you plan the right way around it.