Thread: Need help from an experienced camper?

Hi,
I have to write this report about hiking camp trips to the very last detail...
Like, for fires and gathering wood...how much to collect...etiquette wise

Also...what do you do if you're camping and you're on the grounds where camping is banned and you're tired and don't feel like moving

Well, usually we buy wood. If you are somewhere where you can scavenge for it, the key is not to cut any tree down. The tree must already have fallen. You don't want a live tree (green) anyway because it won't burn. So, whatever you can find that is already knocked down is safe to take. You also want dry wood. If it's wet, it won't burn as well. Usually you start with newspaper or kindling (some dry grass, small twigs, etc.). Be careful though, as newspaper, leaves, etc can flake off easily and land elsewhere in the forest. The kindling is usually inside of a log cabin structure. You can do a tepee as well. I prefer the log cabin method. Lay two logs parallel to each other and then two parallel to each other but perpendicular and on top of the initial two. Obviously, as wood burns down, apply more. You don't want to put too much wood on as it will cut off the air supply and kill the fire.

Also, I don't stop somewhere where you cannot camp. A good hiker/camper will plan this out before hand so they do not get into a situation like the one you describe. It's trespassing or squatting if you camp where you are not supposed to.

Also, if you're hiking and camping, make sure others know when and where you'll be in case you do not return as planned.

Bring plenty of water or water purification tablets and warm clothes. You can always take off layers.

Hope this helps.

You want to get a lot of wood...but don't get it in the morning, it will be wet from dew.
Get the wood at dusk. Chances are, if you're camping, you're by a forest
If you "dare" go into the forest and chop some wood. You want to look for dry, dead, or rotten trees.
Sometimes campsites don't allow this so somewhere near, there should be someone with stacks and stacks of already chopped wood that you can buy.
There are two different ways to make a campfire (that I know of): The teepee and the log cabin. The teepee might be more familiar to you. You simply take sticks and put them around the fire in a teepee form. Start with small sticks and build outward with bigger and bigger sticks.
The log cabin way: Take some newspaper, rip it up, and lay it going on way. Once you think you have enough, take sticks of roughly the same size, and lay them the opposite way of the newspaper. Then add another layer of sticks laying them the opposite way of that. (It's kind of like a "Jenga" tower...)

If you're on grounds where camping is banned, it's probably because it's not safe to camp there. Whether it be because they rangers don't want you to become harmed by the animals, or they think that you endanger the animals, you should move. For your own safety.
Hope I helped! =]

Use only dead, dry fallen wood, never live. Never cut down a tree without explicit permission, unless it is 100% dead. Use rocks to make a distinct fire ring, as long as fires are permitted. Make sure you dig a pit at least 12 inches deep and save the sod if there is any. Collect tinder (twigs and such no bigger around than your little finger). Once you think you have enough, triple it (apply to all firewood types). Then kindling is bigger than that, but smaller in diameter then your index finger. Next is the big stuff. Start small and get progressively larger. Make sure the fire doesn't spread beyond your ring. After you are done, remove the larger chunks from the pit and replace as much of the soil from the hole as possible, then place the sod over it in the same shape you took it from. Scatter any dirt that won't fit in the hole over a wide area, along with the larger chunks. Replace leaves that were over your pit. Remove any sign you were there (garbage, tent imprints, etc.) And if you must move, do it. It isn't worth getting in trouble over.