We are finally getting some much-needed rain. We had a good steady rain this morning, and then this afternoon it tapered off to an intermittent drizzle for awhile. I've been itching to get out and practice building a fire in the rain, so I thought this was a good opportunity. There are some open woods by a creek not to far from my house.
The puddles around the parking lot show that anything laying on the ground will definitely be wet!
Droplets of water standing on the grass, a light drizzle still falling intermittently.
There was lots of BAD firewood - rotted logs laying down were like a sponge absorbing water.
The dried grass seeds were wet, not going to be able to get them to take a spark.
There are no pine trees in this area, so no chance of finding fatwood, and I don't think there are any cedar trees (for bark) in the area either.
My gear I took - I was looking for an excuse to try out my new ESEE 5. Also had one of my Izulas, the ESEE fire-kit with cotton and fatwood shavings inside, water bottle, and Dr. Pepper to satisfy my addiction
I found some dead saplings that were still standing upright and began collecting them. Also found a hollowed-out shell of a tree that was pretty dry on the inside, and decided to use that to collect my shavings.
I used my ESEE 5 for some of the shavings, then switched to the Izula to make some more.
I did also have one of those "emergency ponchos" (even thinner plastic than a trash bag) that I consider to be single-use, but they take very little space and are easy to fit into my PSK. I had to cover my shavings with it to keep them dry.
I spent quite a bit of time making shavings, figured I might need quite a bit to get the rest of the twigs going.
Success!
It was very peaceful to be by myself in the woods relaxing by the fire as it got dark.
For next time, I need to practice building a fire when it is really pouring hard and windy, not just wet and drizzle, but I'd definitely have to have a decent poncho or tarp to spread out so I could have someplace to keep my fire preparations dry! I liked the idea one of the poster's here had, of using the pencil sharpener to make shavings from a stick, could even do it inside a plastic bag and start the fire there if needed, I may try that.
The puddles around the parking lot show that anything laying on the ground will definitely be wet!

Droplets of water standing on the grass, a light drizzle still falling intermittently.

There was lots of BAD firewood - rotted logs laying down were like a sponge absorbing water.

The dried grass seeds were wet, not going to be able to get them to take a spark.

There are no pine trees in this area, so no chance of finding fatwood, and I don't think there are any cedar trees (for bark) in the area either.
My gear I took - I was looking for an excuse to try out my new ESEE 5. Also had one of my Izulas, the ESEE fire-kit with cotton and fatwood shavings inside, water bottle, and Dr. Pepper to satisfy my addiction


I found some dead saplings that were still standing upright and began collecting them. Also found a hollowed-out shell of a tree that was pretty dry on the inside, and decided to use that to collect my shavings.

I used my ESEE 5 for some of the shavings, then switched to the Izula to make some more.

I did also have one of those "emergency ponchos" (even thinner plastic than a trash bag) that I consider to be single-use, but they take very little space and are easy to fit into my PSK. I had to cover my shavings with it to keep them dry.

I spent quite a bit of time making shavings, figured I might need quite a bit to get the rest of the twigs going.

Success!

It was very peaceful to be by myself in the woods relaxing by the fire as it got dark.

For next time, I need to practice building a fire when it is really pouring hard and windy, not just wet and drizzle, but I'd definitely have to have a decent poncho or tarp to spread out so I could have someplace to keep my fire preparations dry! I liked the idea one of the poster's here had, of using the pencil sharpener to make shavings from a stick, could even do it inside a plastic bag and start the fire there if needed, I may try that.