Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-01-01
a SNOW CAMP,


During the summer and part Of the
year when the weather IL moderately
pleasant, sportsman In our North
western forests would, find II an easy
matter to construct his shelter for the
night, but the same party might De at
his wits' ends IN the winter time, when
the snow lies Ave or ak feet deep and
the mercury ranges between 30 and ~
below, to know how to arrange his camp
90 that he would be tolerably safe and
comfortable until morning. It may,
therefore, interest many to learn the
way our surveyors or prospectors 20
about to make themselves comfortable
camp under these conditions.
The surveyor Il generally accompanied
by an assistant, and they carry with
them-besides the usual camping kit-s
tent-cloth Of light duck. This tent
cloth IL sufficiently large to shelter Two
persons when It Ia set up. In selecting
q spot to camp on for the night, prefer
ence Is always given to one where tue
ground Is slightly on an incline. Now,
a snow does not drift In the woods, but
distributes itself equally, Its surface al
WAYS shows tho lay OF the land, although
the snow may be from four TO six feet
deep. The campers, after cutting q
quantity Of wood for the purpose, build
a large fire directly on the surface OF the
snow. This huge bonfire Is longer than
| It Is broad, and covers space which
they know from experience will be sufii-
GENTLY large for the placing Of the tent.
The way the wind Ia blowing has been
ID ha tenafad that lie
length will be In that direction, so that
when the tent Is put up the wind viii
strike IL in the rear. While this fire Il
we'll under way the men are busily en-
gagged cutting spruce and hemloci
boughs TO be used for tent flooring and
bedding, after which they prepare theil
supper on the FIRE, which Is now suili
GENTLY reduced to be In good shape FOL
cooking purposes.
By the time they have flushed theii
meal the fire has, by melting the snow
beneath II, bdrned down TO the ground
The water from the melted snow has rur
of, owing to the incline " the land nne
the heat Of the fire has caused the groune
TO be left comparatively dry and warm
The pir thus formed In the snow Il
from four to six feet deep, the sides o.
which afford the campers ample pro
lection from the wind.
| By this time the fire has got so Low
that IL IA almost out, but what live coal
remain are TAXED into pile TO the lowe
end OF the pit (the one opposite TO wher'
the tent IL to stsnd), To serve rs founda
ton for the fire that Is to be kept goio,
all night, for bright fire Ia front Is es
sential to keep Wild animals at re
spectful distance. The camp fire mus
also be 40 located 10 regard TO the win,
that the sparks and smoke from 1t ar
driven away from the tent.
The campers then take the bough
they have collected and place them owe
the spot from which the fire has jus
been removed. On top of these the.
make their beds and set the tent up owe
all. To do this the ends OF two crotche'
sticks from five TO six feet long ar
driven into the ground for the front ant
rear end OF the tent; on these tw
crotches cross pole l. placed, and owe
this the tent cloth is stretched an
pegged down nj the corners, sides an
rear, IL ~ Ing provided with cords NJ side
and ends for that purpose.
After attending TO the fire by piing o.
il enough green wood To keep IL goin,
all night. they enter their tent, close tn
flaps In front, and, warm, dry and vel
fed, they retire for the night 10 sleep oi
bed the equal OF any spring mattress
In the morning there Is still heat r.
manning In the camp, and the fire
front has burned down to mass q
Goals. just right for cooking breakfas
ion.-Amateur Sportsman.