Campfires suck.

[olzeke]

OK, I will be another who hates camp fires. I do not make one when camping with my best bud, or when solo. When I am with the wife, she has to have one, but she starts it, tends to it, and puts it out.

I find fires distract me from completely enjoying the wild woods. I like listening to the night sounds, and watching the stars. It is true that most animals will steer clear of a fire, and that is another reason why I do not like them. I would prefer to hear the creatures moving around my camp.

When I am with campers who want a fire, I often find myself drawn in, staring at the coals, and losing track of why I am out there. I have even been known to add a piece of wood or 2 to the flames.

I would prefer not to have one, but will not make that known if others start building one. Some folks think a fire is a requirement. Not me.

[Refreshing]

Well, campfires suck - that's a somewhat bizarre opinion, though I'm sure you know that, Refreshing.

I think I'm going to start a thread about how toilet paper sucks - that it destroys the environment, that mass quantities of water are used in processing it, that it destroys trees and the clear cutting increases erosion. A good corn cob or some leaves work just as well.

If we can eliminate campfires and toilet paper, we may be able to reverse the effects of global warming!

Seriously, though - there are so many things about camping that are environmentally or ethically objectionable. Building a fire seems to be relatively minor in the grand scheme of things.

The lightweight synthetics in the fabrics we wear, the insulation and the ropes we use are made from petrochemicals, just as our water bottles and other plastics are. The extraction of petrochemicals is wreaking havoc on our environment (think Exxon Valdez or BP Gulf Coast disaster).

The mining required to give us the metals we use is so environmentally devastating that the land may never be able to sustain life again - not to mention the poisoning of our aquifers and water sources.

The goose down that is so popular is removed from the geese in a way that could be described as torture.

The hiking trails we use cause erosion.

In the grand scheme of things, a campfire seems pretty benign. I think anything that helps people get back in touch with nature, and therefore develop an appreciation of it, is immensely valuable in this age of mass consumption and environmental destruction.

But that's just my bizarre opinion!

I don't use toilet paper. I use squirrels. It is a win win. I save the environment by not using toilet paper and the squirrels get extra calories for the winter from the peanut remnants that I wiped into their fur.

Refreshing

[weird1]

sorry double post

[foureyedgeek]

Chalk up another campfire lover.

[spaceweaseal]

A campfire just helps me relax after a long day. When I am home I can not stay still but when I am sitting by a campfire I can watch it all night without moving..

[Refreshing]

I find fires distract me from completely enjoying the wild woods. I like listening to the night sounds, and watching the stars. It is true that most animals will steer clear of a fire, and that is another reason why I do not like them. I would prefer to hear the creatures moving around my camp.

THIS!!!!!!

[DuctTape]

Not sure how I would cook bratwurst without a fire.

Plus it is TV.

[sargevining]

Not sure how I would cook bratwurst without a fire.

Plus it is TV.

Sliced and boiled with noodles (in a Jetboil).

[SilvrSurfr]

I don't use toilet paper. I use squirrels. It is a win win. I save the environment by not using toilet paper and the squirrels get extra calories for the winter from the peanut remnants that I wiped into their fur.

Refreshing

Geez, I think I've met some of those squirrels you've been using. They are totally traumatized, not to mention they don't smell too good!

[Fronkey]

Geez, I think I've met some of those squirrels you've been using. They are totally traumatized, not to mention they don't smell too good!

And highly flammable.

Fronkey