Howie
member
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
[Howie....got me a Jerry Freeman 'blackbird' and 'mellow dog' headed this way. You played either of those? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> [/quote]
Never had the pleasure yet Paul.
We have a lot of dead fall due to the fact that the pine beetle did a lot of damage to the Canadian parks. That is why there is frequently larger diameter logs left at the wilderness camps.
Something that makes me chuckle a little. Here we sit discussing the merit or not of carrying a hatchet. The concern being the extra weight. The parks people I meet are often small females packing chain saws. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> It is their job to cut and clear the deadfall off the trails.
Bearpaw Moderator
Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 1732
Loc: Tennessee
Quote:
But how does one split a log with a saw?
Howie
If you really want a fire in wet conditions, then you carry an axe also. You can split down into a log to get to the dry wood in the middle so you have dry kindling. Once you have solid coals, the fire can dry out the rest of the wet wood.
Nowadays, fires are not generally an essential item when backpacking. 99% of backpackers carry a stove.
But for winter hiking, a fire can be nice. Hence the saw and axe I'm looking at. I've cut enough wood to know I don't want to cut wood with a hatchet. To tiring, too likely to result in injury. Cut with a saw; split with a hatchet.
That's a good point. Some wet places are nice places to camp, but everything is always wet, even when its sunny, like places near waterfalls that don't get much sun. There is usually some deadfall with dry wood inside if you can get to it. It often delaminates easy, but is still hard to get to without a hatchet or large blade. So if you are planning on camping some place like that and you have a hobbo stove or kelly kettle you can bring a small hatchet or large blade or think ahead and bring in some extra squaw wood before you get into the wet area.
Dryer Moderator
Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Quote:
If you really want a fire in wet conditions, then you carry an axe also
If you carry a few fire starters, you don't need bother with the axe and heartwood. I carry "fire bunnies" (put a few in "da Box" last time it came around) which are nothing more than tightly wadded paper towels dipped in melted paraffin. They burn 5+ minutes and will light wet wood just fine. I suppose if you are staying put for a week or more and dead fall starts disappearing, a saw and axe might be essential tools, but not for backpacking.
Howie
member
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
Esbit seems to be pretty good fire starter too. The trouble as I see it. I only need a fire in emergencies such as if it is wet and cold. If it is raining, the wood is bound to be wet, I might want to be able to get the center of the wood. Some of these logs are quite large in diameter. As I said, last time I was out I would have given anything for an axe. I could have likely made do with a saw.
Maybe I should just build the fire around my butane stove <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
Dryer Moderator
Registered: 12/05/02
Posts: 3591
Loc: Texas
Quote:
... I only need a fire in emergencies such as if it is wet and cold. If it is raining, the wood is bound to be wet, I might want to be able to get the center of the wood. Some of these logs are quite large in diameter. As I said, last time I was out I would have given anything for an axe. I could have likely made do with a saw.
Point taken. You need to be equipped for the local you hike. Nothing wrong with hauling a hatchet if that's what it takes, or an axe for that matter. The places I hike, fuel is everywhere. That's why I usually don't bother with a stove or fuel and use tiny "cook fires" instead. Can't get away with that everywhere though. Your butane stove would make a dandy fire starter! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
Howie
member
Registered: 06/02/03
Posts: 481
Loc: Canora, SK, Canada
Fires are not really encouraged most times because of the extreme fire hazzard during the summer months, and so a fire for cooking would not be a viable option. However, proper fire pits are provided and sometimes a guy almost HAS to light a fire. Some years ago I was hiking late in August when the temperature dropped unexpectedly down to below freezing. It was the most miserable night I have ever spent. I was ill equipped and could feel myself getting hypothermia. In that case there was some dead fall around and that fire felt Soooooo good.
Pretty much all of my hiking is done alone and so I feel the need to be as prepared as possible for the unexpected.
The only reason you really need a hatchet is to 1) build a shelter or cabin, 2) chop wood to put into a wood stove. For an open campfire, simply drag the wood and put the end in the campfire. As it burns through, slide more of the limb into the fire. Smaller limbs can be broken by hand or in the "V" of a tree.
The only reason you really need a hatchet is to 1) build a shelter or cabin, 2) chop wood to put into a wood stove. For an open campfire, simply drag the wood and put the end in the campfire. As it burns through, slide more of the limb into the fire. Smaller limbs can be broken by hand or in the "V" of a tree.
There are other times a hatchet is handy, especially in winter. Its always a good idea to carry enough dry sticks to start your next fire, but when the woods are really wet this isn't always that easy. Also in winter travel is slower, so traveling extra for water or fuel is more difficult. A 1 pound hatchet might not ever be essential, but its often handy. There are actually several uses for a hatchet. None are essential, but they add up. My last winter trip I only used it to hammer in one small nail, but I will still bring it again this winter coming.
Hatchet uses 1) hammering small nails or tent stakes 2) making and driving wooden stakes, for tarps or snares 3) chopping and splitting wood fuel, kindling, and tinder 4) making poles for emergency lean-to or debris shelters 5) slashing spruce boughs for emergency bedding, shelter 6) improvising an emergency stretcher or sled or snow shoes 7) chopping a hole in ice for water or fishing 8) you might sleep better at night if afraid of coyotes <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />
Not really needed, but as backup that extra pound on a winter trip might be more useful than an extra pound of shelter, sleeping bag, clothing, or food, assuming you are already well covered in those essential areas. Especially with a large group it makes sense to have one hatchet. If you might get wetter than expected and colder than expected and slower than expected a hatchet can be worth bringing along, as a time and energy saver. I don't use it much, but I don't get into emergencies every trip either, plus I just like bringing it along in winter and I still pack pretty light in total. It depends alot on the type of woods your in. It works for me.
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