Another wet weather tinder !

pitdog

pitdog

Joined
Apr 13, 2007
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I think most people on here carry some tyre inner tube as a wet weather tinder, I got to thinking the other day I wonder how the actual tyre itself would work.
As it was a wet day today I figured I'd pack a small roll of bike tyre I'd cut up and give it a try.
First off I needed some fatwood to take a spark from my ferro-rod, check out the stump behind Snicker that's all fatwood !

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

A close up of some I broke off and placed in the top of the stump:

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

Back to the trail to find a good spot to try it out:

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

Some monster maple leaves on the floor !

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

I found a good spot and shaved off some fatwood to take a spark I then cut a 3/4" bit of the rubber from my roll:

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

Once the fatwood had caught I added the rubber. Note this is on a wet mossy surface which is totally opposite of what you want, I wanted to test it in the worst conditions though:

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

The rubber burned nice and hot for just over 4 minutes which would be plenty of time for it to get some wood started:

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

Back on with the hike I came across these berries, anyone know what they are ?

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

I also came across this awesome looking red coral fungus, I often see a sandy brown couloured version but this is the first time I've seen it this colour !

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

And before ya ask....yeah of course I took a bunch of fatwood home with me !!!!
 
Thanks for sharing the tip. Its always great to hear somebody else's ideas on stuff like this, and a great way to recycle some old tires
 
Interesting test Pitdog. I think I'll stick with tubes though. They are way lighter and everyone knows they have 101+ uses.

Thanks for posting that red coral fungus picture. That is beautiful and totally unique.
 
Awesome pics and test. So do you think inner tube is better then an equivalent amount of fatwood?
 
Shotgun said:
Awesome pics and test. So do you think inner tube is better then an equivalent amount of fatwood?
Click to expand...

Per equal sized pieces the rubber will burn for longer and under wetter conditions.
An equal amount of tree resin will burn for longer than both however !
 
Thanks about the inner tube tinder reminder . I totally keep forgetting that , as I always use PJCB's and fatwood. Cool thing is though ,all my firesteels are on my sheaths with a ranger band :thumbup:

The bike shop near me has a cage in the parking lot where people can throw out their flat tubes. There's thousands usually in there , free for the taking , all different sizes. I'm gonna put some strips in my fire kit tonight.
 
pitdog said:
...

Back on with the hike I came across these berries, anyone know what they are ?

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By pitdog2010 at 2010-10-27

...
Click to expand...

Hello pit,

I cant see the leaves very clearly to tell whether they are toothed or not but from what i can see it looks like its part of the Prunus spp. (cherries)

Specifically i think you are correct in that they are Chokecherries (Prunus virginiana)

Choke cherry (P. virginiana) grows to 8m tall, with broadly oval leaves with a sharp tip and red to crimson to black fruits, 8-12 mm across. Grows along fencerows, streams and forest edges in all provinces and NT.

Food wise they can be cooked and strained to make jelly (requires pectin) and can also be used in pies, muffins, pancakes, etc but requires the tedious work of removing the flesh from the seed/stone.

Medicinally, choke cherry bark was used in tea to treat coughs, colds, sore throats, pneumonia, diarrhea and as a strengthening tea.

Crushed leaves, or bark can also be used for the killing of insects.

The wood is good for carving.

The ripening of the berries coincide with the beginning of the salmon run so its an indicator of what season in the year it is.

Dried choke cherries could be kept for a long period of time and provide essential nutrients during winter months.

Please becareful as the seeds, leaves, bark and wood all contain/produce hydrocyanic acid and could lead to cyanide poisoning.

The only raw part you can consume is the flesh of the fruit but the seeds can be cooked to destroy the toxins.


Hope that helps.


Thanks for sharing the pics. :)
 
hey pitdog,

I don't presume to know West Coast plants, but we have Chokecherry (P. virginiana) growing all around here and it doesn't look like your picture.

As far as Chokeberry, I checked the USDA and it doesn't look like it grows in your area, at least if you're referring to Aronia melanocarpa. (scroll down to see distribution map).

Maybe go back and get some better detail, regarding leaves and fruit attachment. Also, do they have the calyx bits ("crown") on the bottom, opposite the stem?

Doc
 
Last edited:
Awesome photos as usual Pit, some great looking fatwood and man you guys must have some HUGE Maple trees up there.
 
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