How To Survive #1 - Basic Camp Fire and Oil Lamp.

It's getting to the right season for hiking and campfires. There are many different ways to make a camp fire but I have a basic way that produces lots of heat and can easily be cooked over.

First you need to dig out a slight pit. This means the fire gets a little bit of cover from the wind and also air can be pulled in underneath quite easily which lets the fire burn hotter.

Next, stack stones around the rim of the pit. These will keep the fire contained, prevent unwanted things blowing or falling next to the fire and also it will help you keep warm because the stones will heat up

Obviously this next bit is a hit and miss as to where you are and what you have with you, but, especially if it has rained a little, place a few sheets of paper or improvise with dry bark, stacked up pine branches just in the bottom of the pit. This will keep the fire off the ground providing ventilation and stopping the fire becoming damp. 

Collect up your 'Tinder' paper or dry grass works fine, paper will only work with an actual flame. Put a fair amount in the bottom of the pit loosely together, pack them too tightly and air won't get in.

Finally stack thin sticks or kindling in the small direction evenly over your base and then put two small logs on top this is a good supported structure that will hold the fire well.

Go around with your lighting method lighting at the base of your 'tinder'. If you light the top of the tinder it will just go out, fire travels up not down.

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Now you have a good fire keeping you warm as the sun goes down you might want an extra bit of light...

Fortunately you can make a oil lamp with very normal materials.

All you need is - 

A jar - a jam jar works fine, but you could use an empty coke can.

Any kind of oil - I used olive oil but you could use anything, like vegetable oil.

Some paper towel - You can use a rag or lots of tissues twisted together.

Fill up the jar about half way with oil.

Get the tissue, rag, or paper towel and soak it inside the jar leaving just the end normal.

Light the dry bit and the lamp will burn for a good hour or so.

-Louis-