Sixteen Steps to Building a Campfire

1. Split dead limb into fragments and shave one fragment into slivers.
2. Bandage left thumb.
3. Chop other fragments into smaller fragments
4. Bandage left foot.
5. Make structure of slivers (include those embedded in hand)
6. Light Match
7. Light Match
8. Repeat "a Scout is cheerful" and light match.
9. Apply match to slivers, add wood fragments, and blow gently into base of fire.
10. Apply burn ointment to nose.
11. When fire is burning, collect more wood.
12. Upon discovering that fire has gone out while out searching for more wood, soak wood from can labeled "kerosene."
13. Treat face and arms for second-degree burns.
14. Relabel can to read "gasoline."
15. When fire is burning well, add all remaining firewood.
16. When thunder storm has passed, repeat steps.

How to cross a river

One day three men were hiking along and came upon a raging, violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of how to do it.

The first man prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength to cross this river." Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs and he was able to swim across the river in about two hours.

Seeing this, the second man prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength and ability to cross this river." Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in about three hours.

The third man had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength, ability and intelligence to cross this river." And Poof! God turned him into a woman. He looked at the map, then walked across the bridge.

Forest Service Complaints

• A small deer came into my camp and stole my bag of pickles. Is there a way I can get reimbursed? Please call."
• "Escalators would help on steep uphill sections."
• "Instead of a permit system or regulations, the Forest Service needs to reduce worldwide population growth to limit the number of visitors to wilderness."
• "Trails need to be wider so people can walk while holding hands."
• "Ban walking sticks in wilderness. Hikers that use walking sticks are more likely to chase animals."
• "All the mile markers are missing this year."
• "Found a smoldering cigarette left by a horse."
• "Trails need to be reconstructed. Please avoid building trails that go uphill."
• "Too many bugs and leeches and spiders and spider webs. Please spray the wilderness to rid the area of these pests."
• "Please pave the trails so they can be plowed of snow in the winter."
• "Chairlifts need to be in some places so that we can get to wonderful views without having to hike to them."
• "The coyotes made too much noise last night and kept me awake. Please eradicate these annoying animals."
• "Reflectors need to be placed on trees every 50 feet so people can hike at night with flashlights."
• "Need more signs to keep area pristine."
• "A McDonald's would be nice at the trailhead."
• "Too many rocks in the mountains."
• "The places where trails do not exist are not well marked."

Andes Travel (1877)

Owing to the mountainous character of the country, communications between the towns of the coast and the interior is difficult, and commerce very limited. Traveling among the mountains is often extremely difficult and dangerous. There are scarcely any carriage roads; travelers and goods are carried by mule, or on the backs of men. The traveler sits in a chair which is slung upon the back of the Indian porter; and in this manner they cross the most frightful chasms, often upon the slippery trunk of a tree, where a single false step would be fatal.

Warren's Common-School Geography 1877, p 74.

Bear's in Salmon County

After hiking in grizzly bear country in Montana last summer, it was a relief to see the following ad. You'll need the Windows Media Player to see it. Watch it at least twice, you'll probably miss a detail the first time around.

submitted by Chris Cesar

Bush Vows To Remove Toxic Petroleum From National Parks