Building a campfire in the mountains

During the second day of the monthly Zen meditation retreat we hiked up the mountain and built a small cooking fire for lunch. Here’s the quick tutorial we followed:

1. Fire ring – find or build a safe pit / ring.
2. Gather wood
   • Tinder – dry grass, Old Man’s Beard lichen, etc.
   • Kindling – small twigs and sticks.
   • Fuel – thicker firewood to keep it going.
3. Prepare everything before lighting – fire is 90 % preparation.
4. Build a cone (teepee) with the stronger kindling.
5. Light the tinder nest with a fire-steel or matches.
6. Nurse the flame – place the burning tinder into the kindling cone and add air / more sticks.
7. Reinforce with fuel wood once flames are stable.
8. Enjoy the fire – grilled cheese & Swiss Servelat never tasted better!
9. Extinguish completely.
10. Leave no trace – pack out all trash.

May this little bushcraft practice warm both body and mind. 🔥