Northern Rangers: How to make a campfire

Fire. Without it you can't roast marshmallows.

It doesn't seem like camping with one.

And as Bear Grylls always says, fire is an instant moral booster.

But how do you make a good, sustainable campfire?

You know, one without gas.

Well don't worry. The Northern Rangers are here! Check it out below:

Northern Rangers: Mount Fremont Lookout Trail

Above Sunrise on Mount Rainier lies the Mount Fremont Lookout Trail.

This trail is about 5.5 miles round-trip and offers breathtaking views of Mount Rainier, alpine lakes, meadows, valleys and even the occasional wildlife.

The Mount Fremont Fire Lookout was built in 1934 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It is just one of four lookout towers that remain in the National Park.

According to the plaque at the lookout, due to the exposure of a lookout tower, many are prone to lighting strikes. And shortly after it's completion, the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout lost its roof to a high wind storm.

This tower used to serve as a way for watchers to spot smoke and fires and report them by telephone. However, after World War II, aerial surveillance replaced many lookout towers. Despite this face, the Mount Fremont Fire Lookout Tower is occasionally staffed, as they are still fully equipped to be lived in.

Getting to the trailhead

From the White River Entrance to Mount Rainier National Park, drive up the road about 14 miles. Park at the Sunrise parking lot and proceed toward the picnic area. Hike past the picnic area to the trail.

Several trails share the same trailhead off the parking area. Follow the Mount Fremont Trail and the Frozen Lake Trail signs. Please stay on the trail. Off-trail hiking is not allowed in the Sunrise area.

About the trail

The route is well-marked with signs, even at the juncture where five different trails converge. It begins at a gradual slope and steepens for a about 1/4 mile. From this point to Frozen Lake, about 1 mile, the trail stays fairly flat. It then climbs from Frozen Lake to the Mount Fremont Lookout Tower.

The terrain varies from the dust of the trail to flat rocks.

There is a complete tour up the trail in the video we made on our hike below.

Got Snow? Melt it!

I'm at my parents house now for Christmas Eve, and my mom asks me to shovel the drive. I say no problem, throw my boots on and head outside. While shoveling, I think to my self that there should be an easier way to do this. Like maybe a blowtorch, or better yet a flame thrower. Then I say, "No Casey, that would just be stupid."

Well, I guess this guy thought it was a good idea:

Man melting snow with blowtorch ignites home
He wanted to clear back porch, instead he's got $30,000 in damage

NEW BEDFORD, Mass. - Fire officials in New Bedford, Mass., say a man using a blowtorch to melt ice on his back porch ended up setting his house on fire, causing up to $30,000 in damage.

Fire Capt. Scott Kruger tells The Standard-Times of New Bedford that no on was injured during Monday's incident at the three-story home.

Kruger says the man was using a torch hooked up to a 20-pound propane cylinder. He got too close to the building's wood frame and ignited the vinyl siding. The fire quickly spread into the building's second- and third-floor apartments.

It took 25 firefighters to subdue the blaze that damaged bedrooms in the upstairs units, and caused damage to the structure and wiring.

The homeowner will not be charged.