Campfires suck.

**Shotgunred** · 01-02-2012, 15:08

I love Fire!.... polluting the air??? Fire is as natural as the trees themselves.. not invented by man

**Doody** · 01-02-2012, 15:11

I do enjoy a good fire, especially when its cold. I do settle for the itsy birsy fire of my bushbuddy sometimes. Sometimes, but rarely, I am too lazy or tired to build a fire and just trundle off to bed.

**Alamosa** · 01-02-2012, 15:14

I also love a campfire. It just ain't camping without one. Ditto on the smell. Just thinking about it brings back good memories.

You're not even going to bait me into a senseless debate on hurting the eco-system.

I have a fire for cooking and enjoyment and dress for warmth, so melting clothes, burning shoes, etc. are never a problem.

**sargevining** · 01-02-2012, 15:17

Two years of drought in Texas = No Campfires.

Fire Bad

**sr1355** · 01-02-2012, 15:19

Gotta Love A Good Fire!!!!!!!

**SanAntoneTY** · 01-02-2012, 15:21

Originally Posted by Fronkey

I love campfires.

As for the smell of them. I don't mind it at all because after a long hike I guarantee you that EVERYTHING smells better than I do. Campfire smoke beats B.O. any day.

I also bring a separate pair of clothes to sleep in so I don't have to take in any bad smells when I'm trying to snooze.

If you don't like the bad smokey smell in your closet, than why don't you just wash your clothes dude?

Next, the hurting the forest thing you addressed. It's not like we are out there with axes and saws cutting down trees. We are picking up fallen lumber and broken branches off the ground to start a fire.

Finally, a campfire can be a place for warmth and camaraderie. We had an over nighter at Afton State Park a few weeks ago where it was -1F. We sat around the fire sharing stories and good food for the night and had a great time. Try doing that without a campfire.

Fronkey

fronkman I didnt even think of the camaraderie point, thanks for bringin that to attention, i also left out fire can also be a great friend and also helps pass time, I couldnt tell you how many times I have gotten lost staring into a blaze, it settles me helps me think it can also inspire/ give hope in situations

**Refreshing** · 01-02-2012, 15:28

When I camp solo I never use a fire.
When I camp with friends (except on rockclimb trips) we always have one.

Dont get me wrong, I remember one very cold winter trip when I would have traded my left hand for the fire. How many of you have ever camped without one? There is something soo enthrawling about not using fire or electricity and just being out in the wild without distractions. No?

Originally Posted by Shotgunred

I love Fire!.... polluting the air??? Fire is as natural as the trees themselves.. not invented by man

Yes, wildfires are natural but man made fires pollute the air just as much as the exhaust emmissions my car creates on the drive to the trailhead. Ya ya, Im a dirty tree hugger.

**guySmiley** · 01-02-2012, 15:29

I voted: Campfire? What ever my hiking partner wants.

If I'm by myself, I'll almost never have a campfire. It's just too much trouble to be worth it.

It seems like it's almost mandatory while camping in a group. Without one you use up your batteries, and your constantly blinding one another with headlamps. Like was said before. It facilitates a more social atmosphere.

I find the argument that a campfire causes unnecessary pollution AND that fires are as natural as trees equally specious. C'mon! You probably drove a friggin car to the trailhead! But also c'mon! It's not hard to come up with examples of how too much of something can be disastrous, but I'll keep it to camping/backpacking. There is nothing unnatural about hiker poop, but it sill bothers the heck out of me when I come across it, and it can poison a stream or water source.

All things in moderation.

**SanAntoneTY** · 01-02-2012, 15:33

Originally Posted by Refreshing

When I camp solo I never use a fire.
When I camp with friends (except on rockclimb trips) we always have one.

Dont get me wrong, I remember one very cold winter trip when I would have traded my left hand for the fire. How many of you have ever camped without one? There is something soo enthrawling about not using fire or electricity and just being out in the wild without distractions. No?

I can deff. see your point and have never tried it myself but now it sounds so nice I just may be trying this soon on a warmer night just to get the tranquilness you speak of I will let you know how it goes.