There are various kinds of camp fires that can be made and experimented
with while off on a hike. The log cabin fire, in which two sticks are
laid parallel to each other about nine inches apart, two more laid in
the opposite direction on top of the ends of the first two sticks, the
square made about three sticks high. In the center of this is laid a
small fire of dried leaves and small dried twigs. When the fire is well
started larger twigs should be slowly added until there is a bed of
coals on which can be put short sticks of wood. The cooking utensils can
be stood on the log cabin foundation if it has been made of wood
sufficiently large to withstand the heat of the fire, or they can stand
on a grating placed over the fire. Never cook over a blaze. Wait until
there is a bed of coals.
Another way of building a campfire is to select two large green logs;
place them near together at one end, the other ends 18 inches or more
apart and facing the wind. Build the fire in between the logs. Smooth
off the top of the logs with an axe to form a support for the cooking
utensils.
Where large stones are available make a fireplace by putting two stones
about ten or twelve inches apart at right angles to a large back stone,
or place three stones to form a hollow square, building the fire in the
center. Cooking utensils can be stood on a stone placed over the top of
the fireplace or on a grating placed across the top, or rested on two
iron bars laid on top of the fireplace.
Another fire can be built by placing three medium sized sticks in the
shape of an Indian tepee or wigwam. The sticks must be of about the same
size and placed so carefully that they will not fall into the fire which
is built underneath them. When the dried leaves and twigs have started
to burn well, add a little wood of a larger size, thus gradually
building up the fire. Over the fire three larger sticks can be
placed--those which are three or four feet in length--brought to a
point, fastened with rope and a kettle hung over the fire from the
center.
One of the best woods to use is scrub oak which is distributed quite
widely over the United States. It burns slowly and gives out an even
heat.
Another fire, especially useful in the case of high wind, is built in a
trench, one end of which is deeper than the other, also wider. Start the
fire with dried leaves, twigs, etc., gradually adding larger wood,
finally using logs placed lengthwise in the trench. This type can be
used very effectively for burning garbage, particularly if the garbage
is placed in the trench and the fire built on top of it.
[Illustration: TO "KEEP THE HOME FIRES BURNING," KEEP THE WOOD PILE
HIGH]
Another type of fire which can be used for warmth even better than for
cooking is built in front of three large logs placed one on top of
another in slightly slanting formation. The logs serve to reflect the
heat.
A few suggestions may be helpful to the young camper. Before lighting
your fire have at hand all of the necessary material, dried leaves, tiny
dry twigs, twigs of a larger size, small sticks, and finally your heavy
fuel. Do not smother the fire by starting with too much material and do
not put it out by putting on too much wood at one time. The object is to
have a bed of hot coals over which you can do the necessary cooking
without either smoking the cooking utensils, burning the food, or
burning oneself, or being choked with smoke.
There are various cooking utensils and appliances made especially for
campers which are both interesting to use and most serviceable. One is
the grate with folding legs which can be stuck into the ground, the
grate placed over the fire. Another is the reflector oven made of tin
with a shelf holding a pan, the whole to be set in front of the fire,
and can be used for baking bread, apple cake, etc.
The greatest test for the camper is the building of a fire in rainy
weather when leaves and twigs and wood are far from dry. It can be done
and the greatest joy derived in the doing. Choose an old log which is
not water-soaked. Split it with an axe; split one-half of it again. With
a sharp knife make a little pile of shavings whittled from the heart of
the log. Put them in the center of the log cabin formation. Light them
from underneath (which is the way all fires should be lighted), and coax
the blaze by adding dry shavings as required until there is sufficient
blaze to light the small wood which has been collected. This fire takes
patience and perseverance.
It is sometimes possible in very wet weather to pick up small wood that
has been protected from the rain; also to break off the dead wood of
trees or the small twigs on the ends of the limbs to start a fire.
Under no circumstances should a camper use artificial tinder of any
kind. No paper, excelsior or oil should be used in building a campfire,
and a Scout should need only one match.
Always build a fire where the wind will blow the smoke away from the
camp, and never fail to build it on the bare ground where there will be
no possibility of its creeping through the grass or underbrush into the
woods.
After a meal when necessary to burn garbage, do not throw a quantity
right on top of the fire to smoulder and cause a disagreeable odor.
Rather sprinkle it around the edges that it may dry before being
shoveled onto the coals. When necessary to burn papers, be careful that
a burning paper does not blow into nearby brush or woods.
The questions of fires and provisions for hiking are treated at length
in the Girl Scout Handbook.
A Deschutes River Fishing Trip in the Deep Forests of the Cascade Range
North Western Washington
_We are now in the mountains and they are in us,
kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver,
filling every pore and cell of us. Our
flesh-and-bone tabernacle teems transparent as
glass to the beauty about us, as if truly an
inseparable part of it, thrilling with the air and
trees, streams and rocks, in the waves of the
sun--a part of all nature, neither old nor young,
sick nor well, but immortal._
--_John Muir_
There were ten of us--our chaperones, a man and
his wife; a good all-round camp man, capable of
instructing in camp life, fishing and wood
knowledge of all kinds; our Captain and four Girl
Scouts.
We left Tacoma at seven A. M. by automobile,
driving three hours to the foot of Huckleberry
Mountain from which point we were to hike to camp.
Here we were met by a native of the parts who was
to carry a pack, as we had not enough men to
manage supplies. Pack ponies are out of the
question, for the trail leads for six miles over
fallen trees and through dense growth. After half
an hour, our packs and bed rolls adjusted, we
started off at a good even pace for the river.
For one mile hiking was comparatively easy. Then
we had to cross the river over a fallen tree. The
girls could not do this and carry their packs, so
the men made several trips after which we all
crossed. The time taken in crossing the river was
equivalent to, a good rest, so as soon as the last
member of our party was over, we readjusted our
packs and started on our way.
The trail now led through a dense fir forest with
its scattering spruce and hemlock. For a mile it
led along the high bank of the Deschutes River
where we could look far down into myriads of
jade-colored pools; then for a mile into the very
heart of the woods among masses of glassy,
dark-green ferns, and clumps of feathery, tossing
maiden-hair; through Oregon grape, bright arsenic
green and brilliant red. Here and there we came to
a fairy-like dell, carpeted with red and green
moss, starred with hundreds of flat five-petalled
white blossoms. At the far corner of this nook,
more unprotected where the sun shone, was a clump
of the blue and white butterfly blossoms of the
Mountain Lupine. In one of these dells we stopped
for our luncheon. It was just past that silent
hour of the woods and we could hear twigs snapping
under the feet of moving animals. Birds were
singing and it was the one time of day when there
is a perfume in the dense woods such as we were
in; a drugged perfume of sweet clover, the
flowered mosses and scattered Lupine. Before
leaving we each ate an orange we had been told to
bring, as mountain water taken on a hike winds one
too quickly. During the hike we could chew dried
prunes at any time, but absolutely no water could
we have until we reached camp.
The trail then led back to the river bank and
along it over fallen logs and among trees deeply
laden with hanging silver grey moss. This lasted
for two miles, until the river split, forming a
small island easily reached by stepping stones,
where camp was made.
The very first thing done was to teach the girls
how to make beds, which we did, while the men cut
hemlock boughs; our extra man remaining long
enough for that. The second thing was to pick out
places for our beds and as soon as there were
enough boughs we placed our bags, already made,
upon them. The men then gathered enough wood for
that night and the following morning. Pitch
torches were made and stacked where we could get
them. While they were busy with this heavy work
that had to be accomplished before night the girls
gathered rocks for the oven, and dug a hole for
the cache. This hole was lined with one of the
small tarpaulins, all food placed in it, tarpaulin
drawn over, and slabs of bark then placed over the
hole. This protected food, both from weather and
animals. A shelf was made on the side of one of
the trees on which the baking powder tins were
placed with salt, sugar, part of flour, such
things as coffee, jam, milk, etc., that were
already in tins were also kept on this shelf.
[Illustration: AROUND THE CAMPFIRE]
This work was completed by five-thirty, the cook
oven constructed and second fire made around
which the beds were placed. Dinner over, we turned
in early, being exhausted, in spite of the good
condition we were all supposed to be in for the
trip. We slept in our clothes with cap and bed
socks for extra warmth and comfort. The two men
did not sit up all night, but took turns keeping
up the fire as it needed attention. The only
animals are deer and cougar, the former harmless,
while the latter seldom come near camp except when
it is deserted. They cause little trouble in the
woods, as we never go alone, but always in
couples. They will track a single person, but
_never_ two.
Morning routine commenced with a dip in the river
and change of clothes. As we wear our breeches
when out fishing and our skirts in camp, no extra
heavy wearing apparel need be carried. Immediately
after breakfast the beds are always taken apart,
blankets folded and placed on second small
tarpaulin in lean-to which had been constructed
from large slabs of bark against a tree. This
lean-to kept bedding protected from the atmosphere
and animals, as well as serving a second purpose
of camp orderliness and neatness. A second lean-to
was made for wood, bark and pitch torches. The
first morning it was necessary to complete camp
construction before the fun commenced. Shelves
were made on the river bank for toilet articles,
nails placed for towels, etc., and saplings formed
as a screen for fear of a chance fisherman or game
protector passing by. On the other side of the
island a place was made for washing dishes.
Camp made, we were free to go fishing. So taking a
can of unsalted salmon eggs in our pockets, our
rods, and a v-shaped twig to carry our fish on, we
were off until lunch.
We all assist in making and cleaning up after this
meal. Then an hour of rest is followed by fishing,
learning woodcraft methods of various kinds, or
anything that we may choose to do. Dinner was
prepared while there was still daylight, and then
the best part of camp life began--telling stories
around the fire, studying the stars and singing to
the accompaniment of mandolin and ukulele, always
carried on a trip of this kind.
The large tarpaulins brought are for emergency
only, in case of a thunderstorm. Such occurring we
gather all our beds together into one row and the
tarpaulin is placed over them, under which we lie
until the storm is over. By crawling out carefully
we can gather up tarpaulin and shake it out away
from our bedding and thus we can keep dry without
the shelter of cabin, tent or lean-to.
This is a general routine of a short roughing trip
in the deep mountain forests of North Western
Washington.
The only addition necessary for the ordinary Girl
Scout equipment for a week-end hike is fishing
rods and tackle.
[Illustration: GIRL SCOUT "HAYSEEDS" AND THE STACK THEY MADE]