I was inspired by the Naked into the wilderness threads done by Tres to post a few of my experiences that might help others:
It is much easier to build a large fire than a small, so think big if you have the opportunity to roam around the site a bit for fuel. Don't stress and think of doing it right the first time.
Don't make the pile of wood for the fire too loose and open, try to capture as much of the kindling fire into the wood pile.
Birch bark and the paper like bark on some pine trees make good fire starters.
Dead trees still standing and trees dead/dying from damages often burn very well from the high resin buildup, even when wet. Branches and logs on the ground that feel light and snap/break easily are tempting because they feel dry, but much of the time will burn poorly and with little heat. Fungus from the ground eats alot of the energy/calories out of the wood.
Temperatures around freezing point (as opposed to very cold temps) are deceptively dangerous and alot of the cold damages to toes and fingers happen in this environment. Humid cold goes to the bones and through clothes.
In a shelter cold stagnant air will gather at your feet and when lying down and make you miserable. If building a hut/shelter on snow, dig a "cold trench" that leads cold air out from below. Cover/fill the trench and ground with light branches/sticks.
If the shelter is too small for a fire inside, put the fire by the opening and build a wall of wet logs on the opposite side of the fire to reflect heat back in.
If the canoe rolls over in a lake or river, let the gun go but save the axe. (I have no personal experience here, but I have heard this over and over from old folks)
Never trust a good weather forecast, always believe a bad one.
When covering distance in the field, look back frequently to better remember how the way back looks. It has surprised me a few times how different the hike back can look.
This might be very basic for most of you guys, but it has helped me a few times. Will post more when it pops into my head.
Sincerely
It is much easier to build a large fire than a small, so think big if you have the opportunity to roam around the site a bit for fuel. Don't stress and think of doing it right the first time.
Don't make the pile of wood for the fire too loose and open, try to capture as much of the kindling fire into the wood pile.
Birch bark and the paper like bark on some pine trees make good fire starters.
Dead trees still standing and trees dead/dying from damages often burn very well from the high resin buildup, even when wet. Branches and logs on the ground that feel light and snap/break easily are tempting because they feel dry, but much of the time will burn poorly and with little heat. Fungus from the ground eats alot of the energy/calories out of the wood.
Temperatures around freezing point (as opposed to very cold temps) are deceptively dangerous and alot of the cold damages to toes and fingers happen in this environment. Humid cold goes to the bones and through clothes.
In a shelter cold stagnant air will gather at your feet and when lying down and make you miserable. If building a hut/shelter on snow, dig a "cold trench" that leads cold air out from below. Cover/fill the trench and ground with light branches/sticks.
If the shelter is too small for a fire inside, put the fire by the opening and build a wall of wet logs on the opposite side of the fire to reflect heat back in.
If the canoe rolls over in a lake or river, let the gun go but save the axe. (I have no personal experience here, but I have heard this over and over from old folks)
Never trust a good weather forecast, always believe a bad one.
When covering distance in the field, look back frequently to better remember how the way back looks. It has surprised me a few times how different the hike back can look.
This might be very basic for most of you guys, but it has helped me a few times. Will post more when it pops into my head.
Sincerely
