Mistwalker
Gold Member
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2007
- Messages
- 19,038
Another reason I really like the Match Cap from Exotac Inc. is that the design of it, and the fact that it was specifically designed around REI Storm-Proof matches, lends itself to survival under very atmospheric conditions, even with one hand injured and not functioning.
This was how the day looked.
And the material I had to work with.
You need to search for material up off of the ground; find standing dead trees and fallen branches hung up in other tree limbs. You want to hear an audible “snap” to know the insides are dry enough to work for this.
On days like this I like to use larger limbs or logs to block lateral radiation of the heat and vector that heat where I need it, up through the damp fuel. With an injured hand that becomes more difficult, but you can find something you can manage even if you have to break it over a log. Then make a base of twigs to keep the fire material up off of the wet ground.
You want to gather a lot of small twigs the size of, and just larger than a tooth pick, and several just a bit smaller than a pencil, then some about pencil size and a little larger in order to form a base of coals hot enough to dry out larger materials. The more of this smaller material the better.
Lay your materials on the twig base in a way that you have a little space underneath it to hold a match.
Pin the Match Cap against one of the side logs with your foot, unscrew the cap, and turn the cylinder so you have the striking surface where you need it. Then strike the match and quickly hold it in the hollow under your lay. This part needs to happen quickly so I didn’t take pictures of striking the match here, but it is done just as the first pictures in this post illustrate.
Now, under dry conditions one of these flare-like matches is usually sufficient to ignite a proper fire lay. Under these conditions that’s not the case. It will take more than one held in the same spot with the first few drying the material and finally the last one igniting it.
Fire starting in the rain has a different dynamic than in dry conditions. In dry conditions air space can be your friend because the heat from burning dry branches creates a drawing effect rapidly pulling the flames up through the lay. Under these conditions you are having to work to over come a lot of moisture and maintain your heat. As the smaller fuel burns you’ll need to push the lay down into the heat and add oxygen to help it along.
Keep adding smaller fuel and oxygen, and it will eventually dry out enough that it will burn. Once you have a good base of coals going the work gets much easier.
Now, it's not like I didn't have a knife with me, it just didn't come into play for this.
.
This was how the day looked.
And the material I had to work with.
You need to search for material up off of the ground; find standing dead trees and fallen branches hung up in other tree limbs. You want to hear an audible “snap” to know the insides are dry enough to work for this.
On days like this I like to use larger limbs or logs to block lateral radiation of the heat and vector that heat where I need it, up through the damp fuel. With an injured hand that becomes more difficult, but you can find something you can manage even if you have to break it over a log. Then make a base of twigs to keep the fire material up off of the wet ground.
You want to gather a lot of small twigs the size of, and just larger than a tooth pick, and several just a bit smaller than a pencil, then some about pencil size and a little larger in order to form a base of coals hot enough to dry out larger materials. The more of this smaller material the better.
Lay your materials on the twig base in a way that you have a little space underneath it to hold a match.
Pin the Match Cap against one of the side logs with your foot, unscrew the cap, and turn the cylinder so you have the striking surface where you need it. Then strike the match and quickly hold it in the hollow under your lay. This part needs to happen quickly so I didn’t take pictures of striking the match here, but it is done just as the first pictures in this post illustrate.
Now, under dry conditions one of these flare-like matches is usually sufficient to ignite a proper fire lay. Under these conditions that’s not the case. It will take more than one held in the same spot with the first few drying the material and finally the last one igniting it.
Fire starting in the rain has a different dynamic than in dry conditions. In dry conditions air space can be your friend because the heat from burning dry branches creates a drawing effect rapidly pulling the flames up through the lay. Under these conditions you are having to work to over come a lot of moisture and maintain your heat. As the smaller fuel burns you’ll need to push the lay down into the heat and add oxygen to help it along.
Keep adding smaller fuel and oxygen, and it will eventually dry out enough that it will burn. Once you have a good base of coals going the work gets much easier.
Now, it's not like I didn't have a knife with me, it just didn't come into play for this.
.
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