Firestarters

[Irving]

So I was able to finally test out my road flare the other night. I forgot to time how long it lasted, but I'd say that 30 minutes was about right. It was very easy to light. I didn't experiment with putting it out, as I used it to light my fire instead.

Also, tonight, I pulled out my magnesium fire started again and used it with cotton balls. It was so easy I was amazed. One swipe and the cotton was on fire. So now my little pack has my fire starter and a large pill bottle full of about 12 cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly. Pretty confident in my ability to at least get a semi steady flame with this set up. Now I just need to work on making reliable tinder without having a phone book handy to crumple up the pages.

[steveopia]

Now I just need to work on making reliable tinder without having a phone book handy to crumple up the pages.

Duh . . . just pack a phonebook or two.

[Irving]

Kind of late, but I was able to start a fire in an actual fire pit with only tinder I collected around the fire pit and the PJ & cotton balls + fire starter.