building a campfire - sometimes it's just not right

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Posted by bheiser1 on September 11, 2007 at 7:08:52 pm EDT

In another thread recently, there was a sidetrack to a mini discussion about campfires. I know this can be a hotly debated topic - but I'll go there anyway :).

While backpacking this past week, I ran across several places where there were campfire rings. This is one of them: a summit pass, at 8100 feet, with no water for miles around, and with panoramic views in all directions.
http://www.stanford.edu/~bheiser/Images/Misc/bad-spot-for-campfire.jpg

I hiked to another similar pass, also with a fire ring. And, of course, at each campsite by the various alpine lakes I passed, there were more fire rings.

I am not against campfires per se. I build them myself, mostly in cool/cold weather, and only when I feel reasonably comfortable that I have a decent water supply, shovel, and so on handy. I *^&( sure wouldn't build one during one of the driest summers on record, in an alpine environment, with little deadwood around (and what is there needed for the natural cycle of the environment), and with no water for miles around!

WHAT POSSESSES SOMEONE to build a campfire on a summit, or a high mountain pass? And what makes people think they should chop down trees, as I saw evidence of at the alpine lakes, to build fires? I can even see camping there - especially if a tent spot has already been established - there's relatively little new damage if you're careful... but... a FIRE??? Geeeze!

I just don't get it.

OK, rant off...

Let the flames begin! :-)

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