Growing up in Texas, all we ever did was car camp. We used the same fire pit multiple nights, and built large, roaring fires. We also burned all of our trash with the exception of bottles and cans. We were adamant about LNT. No shreds of anything left anywhere; including the fire pit. We took pride in leaving our campsite much better than when we arrived, even cleaning out the fire pit and leaving a stack of firewood near by.
My question for you fine people is two part.
1. How often did you build a campfire on your AT thru hike?
2. Be honest on this one!... Did you burn your trash?
I know the official LNT says no burning trash. I just can't quite understand why you wouldn't at least burn your paper, and things that would burn quickly? It seems to me that if you leave absolutely no trash when you leave, then it wouldn't matter one way or another to the next hiker, and personally, I'd rather not fill up the landfills anymore than I have to. Also, I often use paper to start the fire that would've otherwise been garbage. Are other hikers going to look upon me as some monster if they see me doing this?