How to build a fire in the snow

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• stamp out a pit so that your fire will not melt into the snow or cover the bottom with green boughs if the pit does not reach the ground

• collect dry dead twigs and small branches for kindling which should break with a snap

• you can also use larger branches by removing damp outer parts and feathering the ends with your knife or you can use hairy lichens hanging from dead branches and trunks

• in a separate pile, place larger dead branches for the fire, sorted by size

• see what material you have in your pack such as paper or fire starter paste

• place paste or paper, if available, in the pit and a pile of the thinnest, driest materials you have

• light the kindling with the matches or butane lighter you always carry and if it burns well, gradually add larger pieces of wood until the fire is well established

• if the fire quickly flares and goes out, collect a lot more of whatever burned best and try again

• you can also put a candle stub under stubborn kindling until it dries and blazes

• Taken from Snow Camping by Jo Ann Creore