Damm, Codger changed that topic quicker than you can say "KevinTheGrey!"
Ummm, yes, where were we....Cold and Wet. Tenjewberrymuds.
Two great tastes that go together like Fart & Church. Cold & wet.
Assuming wilderness, away from creature comforts, I look at it like a ticking clock. Miserable, followed by more miserable, followed by a dose of hypothermia later. Time is of the essence, and the tasks won't get easier, so collect your thoughts, pick your first two or three tasks, and recite them to yourslef several times, "Get a fire going, make shelter, make hot drink".
"Get a fire going, make shelter, make hot drink". "Get a fire going, make shelter, make hot drink".
As you gather firewood and prep things for a fire, move briskly, don't just slum around. A little exercise and increased heart rate is OK short term, knowing you will have fire soon. Don't skimp on this baby, it's gonna have to warm you up, dry your clothes, and heat your water.
Location location location. Plan the fire and shelter location in your head, think about possible wind, rain, where the sun will set, and where it will rise.
It warms up quicker in palce that receives the morning sun as soon as it's light, can make the difference of 10 degrees vs, being in the shade.
Always have all your fire starting material within reach, tinder, kindling, fuel.
You can move it to it's primary spot once it's lit, so, pick a nice dry place, out of the wind. Next to a big ol tree, on a flat rock. the flat rock allows a quick way to move it. if you are moving your fire, have a bed of fuel there ready to catch.
You can also move your fire a short distance using two large sticks, like mega-chop sticks. DON'T do this if it's very dry out, you'll start a forest fire.
We are talking Cold and Wet here.
Once you have a fire cooking, take a moment to warm hands and feet.
heck, take 5 or 10 minutes, you are livin large now with your Gangsta-Fire.
You can get the water warming task set-up, and allow it to do it's thing while readying shelter. OK, assume you have no metal container, but you do have a 16 oz. plastic water bottle with clean water. No problem, set it close, beside the fire, it'll pick up radiated heat and be warm in 10 minutes.
If it's warm to the touch, then it's warm enough to warm your insides.
You'll probably need the hydration anyway. Don't gulp, give the water and warmth time to absorb.
While collecting firewood, you also spotted and grabbed the begginings of your shelter too. So, you are multi-tasking, adding to the fire, heating and drinknig water, and getting shelter built.
Once you have decent fire, it's all downhill from there. Also remember the heated Rock trick. Pile rocks by the fire, then move them to your shelter when you go to sleep.
make a stand or tripod next to the fire. Now that you've warmed up a little, hang that wet jacket/coat to start drying, and continue with the shelter.
Next Scenario: Same, except it is drizzling rain. Now this is where the fun begins.
