A Hiking Blog…

Knowing how to make fire is one of the primitive survival skills mastered by mankind. It can be termed as the flag bearer of ancient human civilization. Since ages, a well-built fire has proved to be bliss – it has given the necessary warmth to people around it; provided light in the midst of a jungle; and helped in roasting meat in a forest camp.

Fire has diverse use and by learning to build it you are on your way to master one of the basic survival skills of life. This article provides you some valuable information about the art and logistics of fire building. Read on.

Components of fire

Fire has four basic components. Absence of any one of them will either not allow the fire to burn, or, will prevent it from burning any further. The four components are:

1)  Fuel. This includes wood, coal, gasoline, or any other combustible material.

2)  Heat. The initial amount of heat necessary to ignite the fire is provided by matches or by the rubbing of two sticks.

3)  Supply of oxygen. A burning fire consumes oxygen for combustion from the surrounding air.  

4)  Continued chain of chemical reaction. During the lifetime of the fire, a chain of chemical reaction goes on that produces intense heat and keeps the burning process on.

Four Steps to Fire Building

If you want to build a fire, you will have to go through a four-step process.

First, you need an ignition source. Popular sources of ignition include – matches, lighters, firesteel etc. If you are experienced, rubbing two wooden sticks can also provide the necessary spark. When you go for an expedition, it is recommended that you carry at least three different ignition sources in your survival kit. Waterproof matches, for example are highly popular among adventurists.

Second, you should arrange for the tinder. The role that tinder plays is to catch the initial spark or flame from the ignition source and then transfer this flame to the kindling. Sometimes, the kindling might be wet. The tinder in that case has to burn long enough to dry the kindling first before setting it on fire. The probability of building up the fire quickly increases proportionately with the dryness of the tinder. Tree bark (such as paper birch), dry small plants, grasses, wax, paper, dry needles of coniferous trees are popular tinder materials.  

Third comes the kindling. If the surface to volume ratio of the kindling is large, it becomes easily combustible. When the kindling produces a hot flame, the bulk of the fuel catches the fire. Some of the best sources of kindling include dry twigs, small pieces of wood, and cardboards. Kindling can also be made by cutting a large piece of wood into smaller pieces.

The last, but most crucial component of fire that you need to take care is fuel. Fuel catches fire from the kindling and continues to burn for an extended period of time. Once the fire becomes well-lit, you need to simply add more fuel to the fire to make it burn for an extended period. Dry wood, dry grasses, animal dung, and coal are excellent fuels.

However, there may be different scenarios when you need to build a fire from absolutely nothing. The following are some ideas that can help you to deal such situations.

Create fire with a magnifying glass – If you have a magnifying glass, use it. Just gather some papers and small pieces of dry wood. Hold the magnifying glass in front of the sun to form a small dot on the paper. Within a few minutes you will get a flame.

Create a spark with steel wool and a battery – You need to hold the piece of steel wool and the battery on different hands. To get the spark, touch the end of the battery to the steel wool. This would act as the ignition source for the tinder. With a few attempts you can get a flame.

Create a spark with rock and a knife – Find a flint rock or a quartzite rock that has a point on it. Hold the rock on one hand with the point aimed toward the knife on the other hand. Strike the knife with the rock and sparks would fly. Create a pile of tinder and use this method just on top of it. Soon you will get a flame.

How to ignite wet matches – If you have a flashlight, you are saved. Surprisingly, you can light a wet match stick with the reflective part. Remove the reflective part of the flashlight and push the wet match stick through it. Position the head of the match stick where the bulb is located. Now hold the thing directly facing the sun. Generally it takes some time to get the flame as the process has to dry the match stick and then ignite it. Remember to keep some tinder nearby so that you can set fire to it as soon as the match stick catches the flame.

Thus, now you can now create fire when you do not have a lighter or any ignition source or even if you have a wet match stick!

Every serious hiker has a dream – to hike the Grand Canyon. People who have hiked the Grand Canyon usually express one of the two opposite feelings. They either want to come to the Grand Canyon again at the earliest, or, they swear not to come to it again! Though hiking the Grand Canyon is a different ball game altogether from other hiking trips, it is a wonderful way to experience the rich natural wealth of the king-size canyon. 

Mental Attitude

For hiking the Grand Canyon, you need the right mental set up. The hiking trip is so demanding that people with excellent physical condition, often emerge fatigued. Hiking the Grand Canyon is a test of your physical and mental endurance power. Children, aged persons, and even people with physical disabilities are known to have hiked the Grand Canyon with success. Undoubtedly, these people had rock-solid, never-say-die, positive attitude.

Early Explorations

The first recorded exploration of the region occurred in the mid 1800s, when an army unit led by Lieutenant Joseph Ives came to explore the area. According to Ives, the locality was “profitless” and “valueless.”

Much later, John Wesley Powell became the first to raft the Grand Canyon in 1869.
He, along with his team traveled more than 1000 miles through the canyon in wooden boats. Powell made a second attempt to visit the unexplored part of the Grand Canyon in 1871. He later founded the U.S. Geological Society. In the course of time, the Grand Canyon attracted more and more explorers.

Grand Canyon–a Geographical Overview

The Grand Canyon is in the northwestern corner of Arizona, in the vicinity of Utah and Nevada borders. The Colorado River, flowing through the canyon, drains water from seven states of the U.S. But the hiking site (actually what is known as Grand Canyon) is entirely in Arizona. The major portion of the Grand Canyon is within the Grand Canyon National Park.  The mile-deep Colorado River bisects the National Park into north and south rims. The two rims are different in elevation and have different climatic conditions. The vegetation types are also different.

Tips for Hiking the Grand Canyon

The first and basic activity prior to any exploration is planning. It is all the more crucial for the Grand Canyon. Do not hike alone. You have to get the weather forecast ahead and the places where water will be available. You have to hike intelligently and never ever fall into the trap of over-ambitiousness. You have to climb high in dry, desert-like conditions. Be conservative in planning your hike. If you are suffering from diseases like asthma, diabetes, or heart ailments, you should limit your exertion and exposure to heat.

You need to travel light. Food and water should consume the bulk of your travel pack. You need a pair of well-fitted hiking boots. A flashlight with spare bulb and batteries might prove to be highly effective. You will require sunglasses and sunscreen to beat the heat of the sun. A map, a compass, and a signal mirror will help to prevent you from getting lost. A whistle will help you to alert other hikers in case you are in distress. A first aid kit is an absolute necessity in such rigorous explorations. Waterproof clothing is another essential item. Keep spare dry clothes too in case you get wet.

Do not increase your speed unnecessarily and exert yourself too much. You should be able to talk while walking. Walking along with talking ensures that your legs and body are getting adequate supply of oxygen for proper functioning. You have to take a ten minute break after every hour of hiking. This measure will ensure that the metabolic waste products that are built up in your legs get removed. During the break, eat some food and drink some fluids.

Taking food and drinks adequately and frequently is a must. You have to eat and drink more than you usually do. After every hour of hiking, you need to drink at least a liter of water or sports drinks. To supply the necessary energy, you should have a wholesome breakfast, full-course lunch, snacks every time you drink, and a fulfilling dinner. Remember, the level of exhaustion is so hard that this is not the time for dieting.

Coming back from the hike can be harder than ascent. Plan 1/3 of your time to descend and 2/3 to ascend (for every hour you hike into the canyon, plan on spending two hours to hike out). As a matter of courtesy, give uphill hikers the right of way.  In case you need expert help, you can take the help of guided hikes from the Grand Canyon Field Institute.

Additional Information

Write To

Grand Canyon National Park
P.O. Box 129
Grand Canyon, AZ 86023

Visitor Information
(928) 638-7888

Website: http://www.nps.gov/grca/index.htm