I recently returned from a trip in the Boundary Waters, and as usual, it was a good time. But one of the things that gnawed at me, was the trash I found on one of the campsites.
The fire grate was choked with the green branches of living spruce trees. Parts of branches were barely burned; the rest was green. Nearby was a paper birch tree - its bark newly peeled. Not far away there was a large spruce, its dead, shade-killed lower branches picked clean; the green ones above sawn and broken off.
Some people will view this destruction as malicious; I think it’s simply the failed attempt to make a campfire. These campers tried their best, but they just didn’t know how.
If you canoe well beyond the beaten path in the Boundary Waters, or deep into Ontario, fire is easy to make; there is dead, dry wood everywhere - just throw out a burning match and yell FIRE and watch that baby go! But on well-used BWCA campsites, all the “good wood” is largely picked over. Indeed, I would offer that if you can make a one-match fire consistently in the Boundary Waters, you can make a campfire anywhere. And if you can do it consistently in rain and wind, you’ll be a hero to your friends!
My books, CAMPING’S TOP SECRETS and BOUNDARY WATERS CANOE CAMPING illustrate a fire-making procedure that works every time, everywhere, no matter the weather. But a video beats a book on exactly how to do it. Check out fire-making section of my Forgotten Skills Video below!
Enjoy!
Cliff