Starting a fire when backpacking can be a daunting task – especially if you’ve never done it before. It requires some knowledge, skill and planning.
Here are some helpful tips to get you started.
Gather the Supplies
The first step is to gather all the supplies you need to start a fire. This includes tinder, kindling, and fuel (e.g. wood). Tinder is any material that will catch fire easily such as dry leaves or grass. Kindling is small pieces of wood that are used to ignite the tinder. Fuel is larger pieces of wood that will keep the flame going once it has been lit.
Prepare the Fire Site
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, it’s time to prepare the fire site. Clear away any debris from the area, and make sure there are no combustible items nearby (e. dry leaves or branches).
Once everything is cleared away, dig a shallow pit in the ground and line it with rocks.
Start the Fire
Now that your fire site is ready, it’s time to start building your fire. Start by placing your tinder in the center of the pit, followed by kindling and then fuel on top of that in a crisscross pattern (also known as “teepee” or “log cabin” style). You can use matches or a lighter to ignite the tinder.
Maintain The Fire
Once your fire has been lit, it’s important to maintain it so that it doesn’t go out. Feed additional fuel into the flames slowly and carefully so that you don’t smother them out. Also, keep an eye on wind direction as this can cause sparks to fly in different directions.
Conclusion:
Starting a fire when backpacking can seem intimidating at first but with some knowledge and practice you should have no trouble getting one going! Gather supplies such as tinder, kindling, and fuel; prepare a safe and clear area for your fire; build your teepee or log cabin structure; light with matches or a lighter; maintain by adding additional fuel slowly; and keep an eye on wind direction for safety! With these steps in mind you should be able to start up a warm campfire whenever you need!