Importance of practice

[Rockywolf]

So I decided to get in some "snow" time today and practice with a new BOB. It was coming down pretty good, yet was almost 30 F. Very beautiful and not at all cold. Brought the RD6 I recently got from Justin, and 2 smaller fixed blades. Turned out I only need the Ranger!

(I need to get with the program and remember the camera).

The main objective: get a fire going in snowy conditions. If possible cook a hot dog in a cup over the fire. No wood gathered, I would have to find it and get to the dry stuff.

I live on a 95 acre ranch in semi-rural Minnesota. I was just going to stay in the yard near our fire pit. I scrounged some wood from the burn pile, using the RD6 to chop off a 2 inch diameter by 3 foot branch. The outer bark was wet, so I used the Ranger to slice off the bark and make some nice curls to burn. I was also trying out some fire paste for the first time. Problem #1 arose-getting at the fire kit in my butt pack. I had wedged in a 4 inch fixed blade and so I had to take off my gloves, dig out the knife, then the fire kit, then find a spot in a pocket or back in the bag for the knife. Too time-consuming! My hands were cold by then and snow was falling harder. Problem 1 solved by switching the smaller blade with a more compact one!

Fire paste, wood shavings, and about 10 tries on the Light my Fire and I was in business! I kept the fire going for about 15 minutes by continually shaving off pieces from the wood I harvested from the burn pile. Problem #2 -time factor. I was not able to cook the hot dog (ran out of time) and was reminded by nature that I would have been better off gathering more wood initially. The set up took longer than I thought and setting things in the snow means knowing exactly where you set them and/or having a bright color so the darn things don't disappear in the snow!

All in all it was a fun little exercise and taught me that knowing where things are in my kit and testing the heck out of them is very important.

Steve

 

[CShepherd]

Great idea and thanks for sharing your successes and failures (well at least set backs). Once springs gets here me and my daughter are going to build a shelter in the backyard and camp out for the evening. She's only 3 so I have to wait for a bet warmer weather.

Also want to get out and practice some more fire making techniques.

Later,

Charlie

 

[alco141]

i have had my daughters out in the sub freezing weather and had them start fires using a doan tool some cotton balls, they learned how to build the fire in the cold and wet woods, so it was a valuable experience for both of us. gave us some time outside also.

alex

 

[EmsRescueGuy]

Thanks for sharing your experience. sounds like a good exercise. Trips like this are are great to work out out the kinks in techniques and kits.

 

[ROCK6]

Problem #1 arose-getting at the fire kit in my butt pack. I had wedged in a 4 inch fixed blade and so I had to take off my gloves, dig out the knife, then the fire kit, then find a spot in a pocket or back in the bag for the knife. Too time-consuming! My hands were cold by then and snow was falling harder. Problem 1 solved by switching the smaller blade with a more compact one!
Steve

This is where practice makes perfect. I've run into similar issues; depending on your location, you need to prioritize what you need for you quick access pockets or outer pockets.

I like quick access to my:
-Siltarp or rain jacket
-Water filter
-Firekit
-Hiking snacks

Really depends on the season and location, but your essentials need to be quickly and easily accessed. Glade to here you get out and flush out your outdoors kit...

ROCK6