This article is part of Wilderness Way VOLUME 3, ISSUE 2. You may view more articles here or order this issue or a subscription here.   WW Home Featured Articles Back Issues

Continued When you build your firebed, try to build it in an area away from rocks that you may scar with the flames and smoke. Naturally you want to do as little damage as possible with your experimentation. If you need to build the bed for a real survival situation, things change. In a survival situation, build the bed under an overhanging rock, the rock above your head will absorb heat as well as the ground below. This will result in your sleeping between two heat sources. It is a little like a low grade oven. I have used firebeds in -10o F temperatures with only a piece of canvas as a cover. The sleeping area hovers around 75oF! A few pointers with regard to the firebed and overhead rocks: Check the overhead rock to be certain that it is not just a projection of stone, like a finger, that might break off onto you. The heat from the firebed can cause the rock to fracture and fall; a crushing end for an otherwise good survival story! Likewise, do not set your firebed under sedimentary rock like sandstone with inclusions, such as rocks. These may pop free and hit you in the head! Large leaning boulders, overhangs and boulder piles usually offer the best choices. #1 & 2 - The firebed hole with rocks lining the bottom. The rocks came from the hole itself so they were used in the construction of the bed. Note the "Auxiliary" fire in number 1. #4 - A firebed burning in a rock overhang. The soil is sandy and would not trench. To get the proper depth the hole was quite wide. Note the exfoliation above the bed which is caused by the intense heat. #3 - The fuel should burn the length of the pit so that all of the pit is heated evenly. Note that in this case the ground was VERY hard so the rock lining was left out and the hole only dug to about 5î. The earth is what retains the heat. #5 - During the daytime the properly spread and burned coals will look like this. Note that the bed is away from the stone wall in order to control the wall temperature. If the fire were against the rock, it would be too hot and the sleeper and/or equipment could be burned. The fire could also damage the rock. Once the bed is constructed and the dirt compressed, you can add a barrier to the edges of the bed to keep your insulation from wandering away from you. I like to roll a log up to each side of the bed. Large stones will work as well. The barriers should make the sleeping area look a little like a stone or log coffin. Fill the coffin with pine needles or leaves to make your bed. Wriggle down into the insulation and cover up with a piece of canvas or plastic... Snooze Time!   #6 - The appearance of the coals during the night. #8 - A waterproof covering over the bed and padding will keep you dry. Lots of moisture is released from the soil and/or vegetation. #7 - An ideal rock shelter with a firebed. This is a very warm shelter. #9 - A finished firebed with padding, rock barrier to control sloughing of the padding, overhead stone and a view! #10 - A finished firebed with an overhead debris cover. Note, the cover is constructed after the bed is covered with dirt! If you are in a hurry or do not have any insulation available – winter desert survival comes to mind – just use your canvas or plastic and sleep on the ground. Before you do, lay on the bed the way you plan to sleep. Mark where the small of your back encounters the ground. Spread your hand wide and draw two parallel lines with your thumb and little finger, across the width of the bed where the small of your back will be. The lines will be roughly the same width as the small of your back. Dig small depressions (about 1/2-inch deep) above and below these lines for your rear and back. When you lay down those cups will hold you centered on the bed and the raised area in the center will offer support for the small of your back. They make sleeping on the ground tolerable if not comfortable. The "Head" Hole Another technique for using warmed earth is sometimes called the "head hole," because it requires that you dig a hole about the size of your head. Construction of the head hole follows this order: 1) Find a sheltered spot close to a tree or a large rock. The center of a "V" where large rocks come together is ideal. Trees are less ideal because they generally offer less protection from wind and may suffer damage as the result of your endeavor to stay warm. 2) Sit with your back against the rock, knees up almost to your chest. Mark the ground directly below your knees and between your legs. 3) Dig a hole the diameter of your head and follow the Tooferate rule. At this point the hole is basically just a campfire. After the fire has burned down and been covered with earth, put down a layer of pine needles, some bark or small branches as a cushion/insulator seat. You can also use your pack, rope, or other gear for this purpose. 4) Sit against the rock, knees up, on the cushion. Drape your back, body, and feet with a poncho, a hide, some canvas or a blanket to make a small tent that will channel the heat from the heated earth between your legs into your little shelter. While this technique is not as comfortable as the firebed, it will keep you warm in low temperatures and can be used in hunting stands. I hope I have imparted some useful knowledge for those cold nights.  Good Luck!

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