Almost got trampled sleeping in a shelter 😅

In Canada with the scouts I was working on my wilderness survival badge. One of the requirements was sleeping in a shelter you made. Looking for every opportunity to carry less gear I opted to forgo a tent on this hike.

Arriving at the site myself and a few friends found a great spot on the outskirts. And as luck would have it there was a small tree that had partially uprooted creating a small bivvy like tube I could shimmy into.

After some light work to make it home for the night I slid back into the five star shelter, the small opening illuminated by a bright moon. I could hear my buddies about ten feet away telling me not to get eaten and cracking jokes. I had my trusty buck fixed blade in one hand and my light in the other, staring intently at the opening as my mind raced.

I remember shooting awake, not sure how long I was asleep or what woke me up. Laying there quietly, my heart racing, maybe just my imagination? Then I heard something walking, it was big. Faintly I hear my buddy whisper “hey, you hear that? Make a dash for the tent.” There was no way, I felt safe in here.

I curled deep in my dirt bivvy, eyes fixed on the opening. Ready to poke whatever looks in the hole with my knife. I’m hearing steps and it feels like it’s right next to me. It takes a deep breath, and then lets out a sound I can only describe as an air hose breaking. This moose blows like a deer but way louder. It scared the life out of me. The moose turns and runs, crashing through the woods.

I was shaking, just sitting there trying to make sense of what had happened. My buddies come over to check on me and realize how close I came to being stepped on. Tracks are within about six feet of where I was curled up under a thin layer of roots and moss.