I am rabid about the issue of campfires on the Appalachian Trail. I do not believe that they are needed by anyone who is hiking. Either bring warmer gear or start your hike later in the Spring. There is no reason for anyone to remove downed wood and burn it for a campfire. There are salamanders and other critters who DEPEND on that downed wood to procreate. How would you like it if someone came and removed the walls of your bedroom? Would you be able to procreate in a room with no walls? Well, Salamanders don’t like it either. Be kind to them and maybe one will name her babies after you.
IF you insist on a campfire, then do it correctly or don’t do it at all.
To correctly create a campfire. First, make sure you’re not too close to trees or vegetation. Clear the area. Remove about 1 inch of earth in a 12 inch by 12 inch square. Set this aside as you will return it to its place after you have finished with the removal of the ‘scorched earth’ from the fire. Build a plateau about 6 to 8 inches high inside the 12 inch by 12 inch square with dirt that you gather in non-obtrusive areas around the campsite (in other words, don’t dig a hole, just borrow some dirt). The edges will be about 11.5 inches by 11.5 inches and angle towards the plateau which will be about 9 inches by 9 inches. Place a piece of heavy duty foil, if you have it, on top of the plateau and create you SMALL campfire. AFTER you’re finished, douse the fire with water and take the edges of the foil, roll them together and then deposit the burned and charred wood away from the campsite in at least a half-dozen separate places. The idea is Leave No Trace. THEN, take the dirt that you gathered and return it to the area where you dug it up. Spread the dirt as evenly as possible on the forest floor. After you’ve done that, return that top-dirt that you set aside when you dug your inch deep fire pit back on top of the 12 inch by 12 inch area. Return rocks, roots, etc to their places. Make it appear that no one has been there.
Now, if THAT is too much trouble; ONE, you don’t really need a campfire or TWO, you think you can get by using the existing gunky campfire pit. SO, if you use the existing campfire pit, the SAME rules apply. Leave it Cleaner than it was when you got there. NO HUGE BONFIRES. I don’t care how cold you think it is, you do NOT need a bonfire. The HEAT goes STRAIGHT UP, not where you’re standing trying to warm your tushie. BRING WARMER GEAR because it will be cold on the mountains of the Appalachian Trail if you plan to start a Thru Hike before May.
Leave No Trace means you haul out what you haul in and a bit more besides (like Ed Garvey did).
And if you plan to do any overnight hiking on any other trail -- same rules. Bring the appropriate clothing and leave the downed wood for the procreating Salamander familes.
OFF the Soap Box.
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