WHEN to stop & set up camp?

B

bug

Joined
Dec 30, 1999
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Some time ago I read or watched something (I believe by Doc Ron) about using your hand as a watch. You held it at arms length, I believe with the fingers spread. I believe this was 15 degrees or, more importantly, one hour. Then you held your, say, right hand, arm outstretched with the thumb touching the sun. Then you counted how many spread hands (hours) the sun was from setting.

This was used to determine WHEN to stop and camp. Can anyone please verify if I have it right? If so, how many hours before sunset should we stop? If not what's the right way?

Thanks,
bug
 
I don't know about the method you refer to, although it sounds like something to learn more about. As far as timing, that entirely depends on what your set up consists of. A dome tent and fuel-cell stove will allow you to set up camp half an hour before dark. Tarp camping, like I do, requires more time to cut or gather poles, gather wood, build a fire, etc. So I try to set up camp by mid-afternoon. I don't know how to judge hours, so I just keep an eye on the sun and when it is about half-way between mid-day and sunset I stop.
 
If I remember Ron's technique, you hold your closed fist at arm's length and vertical (thumb up, fleshy part down), and count the number of fists between the horizon and the sun.

Since everyone's arm length and fist size differs, each of us will have a different number of minutes that each fist stands for. Ron I think said he had a 1-hour (big fist, and/or shorter arms) fist. That is, if he measured 3 fists between the horizon and the sun, that meant he had about 3 hours till sunset. I have a 45min. fist. That means if I count 3 of my fists between the horizon and the sun, I've got 3 x 45mins or about 2hrs. 15mins. till sunset.

How do you tell how big your fist is? Simple... Go out sometime in the mid to late afternoon, note the time, and go count fists (yours), then look at your paper and see what time the sun really sets today. Now take the difference between the time you counted and sun-set time divided by the number of fists and you get your "fist time size". So lets see...

It's 4:30 in the afternoon...

I count 4 of my fists between the horizon and the sun...

My paper tells me the sun sets at 7:30 this evening, that's 3 hours away, or 180 minutes...

180 / 4 = 45... So I have a 45 minute fist...
 
Put your hand out with the palm facing you and the pinkie finger on the horizon,each finger is roughly 15 minutes;i.e.if the sun is 4 fingers from the horizon it will be 1 hour before it sets.Try it this evening it really does give a good estimate of remaining daylight.
 
I rarely set up camp before the sun sets, which gives about half an hour before full dark (which I define as when I can't see to set up camp any more). I do often locate a camp spot earlier in the day if I am in a wet and heavily forested region in which finding a camp spot is difficult. In desert regions I don't worry about finding a camp spot and usually just set up in the dark. My wife and I don't spend much time hanging out, however, so our camps are just cook dinner, sleep, eat breakfast and move on with a minimum of hassle.
 
Put your hand out with the palm facing you and the pinkie finger on the horizon,each finger is roughly 15 minutes;i.e.if the sun is 4 fingers from the horizon it will be 1 hour before it sets.Try it this evening it really does give a good estimate of remaining daylight.
Click to expand...

This is pretty similar to the "fist" technique, and for obvious reasons comes with the same caveat. Hands and fingers differ widly in size as do arm-lengths. Thus the relative size of the hand (fingers or fist) at arm's length will vary from person to person. You have to learn ONCE how much time is represented by <i>your fingers</i> or fist.
 
I set up camp in the early afternoon, or even at lunchtime.

This leaves time to swim, hunt, read, play with the kids, cook a nice dinner, wander around, and generally have fun.
 
If you really want to complicate the question, try camping inside the arctic circle in late June or July. The first time I was so euphoric from the constant sunlight and incredible remoteness that I didn't stop for a couple of days. It can be very confusing!

In the lower 48 I like to allow a couple hours before dark for all the reasons previously mentioned.
 
DWK ..yep that's right you camp when you get tired..you'll wait a long time for the sun to go down in AK..My motto is " sleep when you're old"
 
willis, I first read about that technique in one of Don Paul's books. He called it the "fat finger" method. I have 20 minute fingers.

GD
 
Bug,

Think about how well you know the environment and what you need to accomplish. If you can pop up a shelter and a fire in 30 minutes then you can hike further. If you can do so with minimal light then even further. It all depends on how comfortable you are in the area you are going and if you can "read" the environmental factors, from weather to where the water is to how quickly you can build a fire. I might add safely to that.:D The whole finger method is good but I just go off judgement and where I want to stay that night. I usually know where I am going and about what time I want to end up there. Not because I need time for me to prepare but time for my students to prepare as doing all of the above will take them more time, thus I am helping them get settled.

Take care and God bless!
 
Depends on the size of the group, Usualy at least 1 hour before sunset is good, gives you time to set up the tents if you are using them or tarps etc. Gives you time to get a good fire going and time to recon the surrounding area looking for water sources and avenues of escape in case of any kind of emergency. Personally i do not like stopping without at least 30 min to recon the area in full daylight. Getting to know your enviorment may just save your life.
 
Thank you Jamie. Also a consideration is how long it takes to set up in Naha and what you brought from Kadena.

Take care,
bug
 
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