Fire and rain

peripatew

peripatew

Joined
Jul 31, 2007
Messages
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Well, I'm watching the new Surviverman, and it's not yet over. I'm a little distracted from watching it, and I missed some info I was curious about. I thought I'd ask for those who are watching it, and for those who already know this.

He had a good fire going, but it started to rain, so he did something to protect the fire with a log. I just wasn't sure what he actually did? After the rain stopped he made a "coal carrier" or some type of giant cigar looking thing to transport the fire I believe. I'd like to learn more about both of these techniques as I live where there is a lot of rain.

SO:
What are ways to protect the fire from rain, when rain starts after your fire is going? (he was careful to keep some tinder, kindling, and wood dry in his tent)

What are ways to "transfer" a fire, meaning keeping a coal going for a prolonged period of time when you might not have the means to make another fire?

Thanks!

L!
 
He put a Punky log over the coals which protected them and gave it enough fuel to keep going.

The cigar thing was three layers of cedar bark wrapped with cord. The outside was just strips of the bark, the next layer was slightly shredded strips, and the inside was packed tightly with very shredded up cedar bark. He put the coal inside. I too was a bit distracted, so I might have missed something, but that is what I got from it.
 
partially rotten but with enough "woodiness" to it to still provide fuel. If dry, the punky part can easily be crumbled to powder by hand and used as tinder.
 
There is a really good description of the fire bundle in Larry Dean Olsens "Outdoor Survival Skills". Once ya make one or two you'll ahve it down pat.

The idea of a punky log is that it would hold coals and smolder rather than burning up, also the fire could penetrate deeper into the log, more protection from rain.
 
One of the easiest 'slow matches' you can use is the female flowerhead (the brown cigar-like top) of a dead Cattail (Typha spp.). In still air, a 6 inch flowerhead smoulders for about 2 hours, so if you have an 8 hour trip - 4 Cattail heads.

Doc
 
DOC-CANADA said:
One of the easiest 'slow matches' you can use is the female flowerhead (the brown cigar-like top) of a dead Cattail (Typha spp.). In still air, a 6 inch flowerhead smoulders for about 2 hours, so if you have an 8 hour trip - 4 Cattail heads.

Doc
Click to expand...

Doc - this would make a great photo essay sometime - any interest in demonstrating it?
 
kgd said:
Doc - this would make a great photo essay sometime - any interest in demonstrating it?
Click to expand...

Not a problem. Might do it this weekend. If I forget remind me. It's not rocket science, though. The only somewhat difficult part is to get the Cattail smouldering in the first place. I found one of the easiest ways for me was to cut the top of the Cattail off (to get a flat surface) and place a piece of smouldering Tinder fungus on it.

Doc
 
I love this forum, literally every few hours i learn something new!

< off to harvest cattails
 
Further to kgd's request - the Cattail slow match

I had to work today, so I am doing it now in real time. I started it in my apartment.

A picture with the top cut off (to sit the lit tinder fungus on)

topcutoff.jpg


True Tinder fungus:

truetinderfungus.jpg


I took a small slice of the tinder fungus, lit it, and placed it on the top of the Cattail.

tinderfungusontop-about8.jpg



Once I got it going, I took it out to my balcony where it still is. This picture was taken at 8:06 pm (23 minutes ago)

eightosix.jpg


This one at 8:18

eighteighteen.jpg
 
Last edited:
8:34 pm.

8-34.jpg


Note: I am knocking the ash off so the picture will show up better.

Also note that it is moderately breezy out there tonight.

Doc
 
8:50 pm

8-50.jpg


I probably should have measured this before I started but it was about 4 - 4-1/2". The breeze will decrease burn time as well as the fact that I am knocking the ash off. The ash would help protect it from the breeze.


So I went out at 9:08 - all gone!

allgone.jpg


But wait! What's that I see?

cantseeitwiththeflash.jpg


Damn, can't see it because of the flash. Let's try this:

almostmissedit-9-12.jpg


There it is hiding amongst the ashes.

So it burnt for about 1 hour and 6 minutes. It was about 4 - 4-1/2" long. It was moderately windy and I kept knocking the ash off, making it burn faster. I also think there is some variation in burn time between one head and another due to moisture content, genetic makeup?, bug infestation, and who knows what. Anyway, I hope that's what you wanted kgd. I'm sorry it wasn't done in an outdoors setting, but if I put things off..........................

BTW, I cut the top of the Cattail off with my Spyderco Manix in Forest Green :rolleyes:

Doc
 
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Thanks Doc! As always I appreciate the education.
 
Thanks, Doc. Cattails out the wazoo around here, I'll be trying this. Lots of cedar too, so I'll be trying that.
 
The thread is alive.....Its......ALIVE............

Well - this was a goody to bring up from the depths - nice tutorial Doc. I remember the slow match you made at Lewis' place last summer. Worked great!
 
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