Camping, Hiking, and Backpacking Tips and Techniques

Camp Fires

Camp fires are special and part of what makes camping so enjoyable. They are cozy and peaceful and often quite mesmerizing. The soft glow of the embers, the dancing flicker of the flames, and the sweet smell of the wood smoke tugs at something in the heart of every camper. Camp fires are a significant part of the camping experience, so here are some tips to help keep those experiences peaceful and enjoyable.

1. First, learn to start a camp fire with small kindling and maybe some paper, but never use any flammable liquid such as gas or lighter fluid. You can easily learn to build a camp fire using small twigs or wood slivers as kindling. There are some commercial fire starters you can buy that will help start the fire, but we say again, never use any flammable liquid.

2. Be sure that camp fires are allowed in the area where you are camping. Check with a ranger, camp ground attendant, forestry service worker, or other local official. Building a camp fire in an area where they are prohibited could create serious problems and ruin your entire camping trip.

3. Use an existing fire ring or build one using rocks and small boulders. If a fire ring is not present and no rocks or boulders are available, clear an open space of ground of any leaves, pine needles, twigs, bark, or other burnable material and use this for your camp fire. Be sure the fire site is clear of any over hanging tree limbs or bushes.

4. Keep your camp fire small. Small camp fires are safer, more easily managed, and make the wood supply last longer, too. You can sit a lot closer to them, and it is also much easier to roast marshmallows and make s'mores over a small camp fire.

5. Have a good water supply readily available in case of an emergency, to aid with a burn, and to douse the flames when you're ready to go to bed.

6. Include a special burn ointment and bandages in your first aid kit. Hopefully, you will not need them, but it is much better to "have and not need" than to "need and not have."

7. Finally, when the fire dies down and everyone is ready to climb into their sleeping bags, douse the fire with water and stir the embers. Be sure it is out. Remember, "Only you can prevent forest fires."

Prevent Blisters

PREVENT BLISTERS

1) When buying footgear, ensure your shoes or boots allow room for your feet to swell. Break them in by wearing them around your house, your neighborhood, on short walks, and/or on a few day hikes.
2) Wear good quality socks that will wick away moisture (synthetic or wool – no cotton). Change into a fresh pair when needed. Hang up at night to dry and/or clip to your pack during the day.
3) Reduce friction by smearing troublesome areas with petroleum jelly (lightly) or with a commercial anti-friction product like Band-Aid Blister Block or Bodyglide.
4) Whenever you feel a hotspot, stop and cover it immediately with moleskin, one of the new commercial gel pads, or good old duct tape.

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