Pair rescued on rural road

[normaM]

Cross heart. Never. Not even when we had a wood burning fireplace. I know you are supposed to wad up small children or something, then stack some dry wood on top
When I lived Glenmore area, had a drunk hostess couldn't get the firepit burning like she wanted, I looked over to see her coming with a jerry can of gas. Told my friends move now! Blaze so high the fire dept came out.
Melted two plastic lawn chairs
I would never find myself stuck on some back road.. my idea of roughing it is no room service in a Hotel. A novel of my Life could be titled " Call of the Urban"
No need to wander into the back country to be devoured by a giant rabbit or something

[Queen K]

I am trying to remember if I ever started a fire besides in the oven when I forgot the tea towel was hanging partly inside.

Nope.

OT, you got that group sign up sheet yet?

I feel for that couple, they had to find a way to get their vehicle out today. I hope they have BCAA or it's a pretty penny.

[oldtrucker]

Maybe I should start up a basic bush skills class for city people.

Now would certainly be the time to do it. In all seriousness, I think you're onto something. You'd be giving people something to do outside during this pandemic. Like girl/boy scouts for all ages but without the long-term commitment.

An acquaintance of mine started an outdoor fitness class for kids and it immediately went gangbusters. Not exaggerating. Parents have to get the kids out of the house to burn off some energy and give the parents a break.

Throw an ad on kijiji and see what happens.

3 day course. 2 nights
1 change of clothes. 1 wool blanket each, 1 steel can/ military mess kit,hunting knife, pack of matches (with only 6 matches remaining in pack-makes it real)- in 1 small back pack. (I'd include a proper survival kit for everyone with snare wire, fish line hooks etc)
1 day of snacks- the real food comes off the land. Snaring/fishing/ berries/roots
Leave cell phones, city attitude, and political correctness at home.

[Queen K]

No guns?

[60-YEARS-in-Ktown]

No fires.. Don't know how to light one ..
When we were logging in the winter we had one everyday , and a grill usually to get your sandwiches toasty brown and cheese meltted.. and sometimes if the boss was gone we would toss a full aerosol paint can in the fire and jump into our trucks to watch... .... and quite a few 1/3 full starter fluid cans met a fiery fate as well....... a banging good time...

[oldtrucker]

No guns?

I was going to go with no but...Ya....one for the guide(me) to carry in case Mr. bear or cougar doesn't like my version of political correctness.

[Queen K]

Pretty sure I understand the start small with grasses and small branches, then kindling can't be hard to do. Just never actually did it. Maybe next time I find a fire pit in some rec site campground I'll try my hand at it for fun.

The pair who got rescued may not have had anything to use, not everyone carries matches, lighters and butane.

[Ken7]

https://www.castanet.net/edition/news-s ... htm#318557

I wasn't there but you would think that if the stranded people were on a forest service road, they would have built a fire if they were so cold. It's not like there isn't endless firewood up there.
Have people lost the ability to build a fire? Or did too many people quit smoking and they no longer carry lighters or matches?

As sick as it may sound, I actually look forward to getting lost or stuck in no cell service areas just for a excuse to build a fire, do some shootin', stay the night and be in a place no one can bug me.

Interesting post for sure. I have to admit, I might not have a lighter anymore in my vehicle. No longer smoke. I'm sure if I had battery I do have a spare wire I could short the battery out with.

I'm now placing old style wooden matches into my truck. Thanks !!

[oldtrucker]

I'm now placing old style wooden matches into my truck. Thanks !!

Get the 2 colour strike anywhere type.
Dip the ends in nail polish for water proofing.

I've got a friction fire once.Once. That's it. If I had to do a friction fire to survive -I'd be dead.

[Boosted632]

If you venture into the woods in the winter solo you're not real bright

I do it quite often actually. Intentionally too. Never said I was bright.

I do as well but im prepared to be there not dressed for a sunday drive in september

[Ken7]

I'm now placing old style wooden matches into my truck. Thanks !!

Get the 2 colour strike anywhere type.
Dip the ends in nail polish for water proofing.

I've got a friction fire once.Once. That's it. If I had to do a friction fire to survive -I'd be dead.

Go ahead and dip your wooden matches in wax. They will become waterproof and all that.

I was always told wax..never heard of nail polish...

[Ken7]

Brain fart, when I travelled late at night 6 hrs on highways. Smoked then always had a lighter. My father used to pass me a 26 of BREW. He'd recommend, if your fuel line iced up, pour three ounces into the tank. If you end up in the ditch, a sip every now and then will warm you up....

Oh those good old days.

[TylerM4]

I got the feeling that the couple who were rescued were Elderly.

Agreed tho - Gotta be some kinda dumb to venture out like that and not be prepared to spend the night if you have to.

I was in boy scouts for years and have had a lifetime love of camping and hiking. I've tried every kind of fire starting tool/product that exists including making my own fireproof matches with nailpolish and wax.

Know what I keep in my kits as an emergency fire starter? A disposable bic lighter in a waterproof container. Don't get sucked in with fancy gadgets and life hacks. Sometimes the simplest answer is the best. People will say "Lighters don't work when it's really cold". I say "30 seconds stuffed in your armpit will fix that". People will say "They don't work when they get wet" - I say "keep it dry then".

[oldtrucker]

Go ahead and dip your wooden matches in wax. They will become waterproof and all that.

I was always told wax..never heard of nail polish...

It should work as well. Never tried it. Get a magnesium block and a pocket knife-no matter how cold and wet....it will light up if you can get a spark on it.

Last year I applied to be on history channel 'Alone' I was all gung ho thinking about the $500,000 prize but I would have to video every aspect of my life- now in everyday life- before even being selected. Being alone in the wilderness-no anxiety about it at all, but I do get anxiety with the camera stuff- weird eh? So, that was the end of that idea.

[seewood]

Both my vehicles have a knife, multi tool, bit of wire, emerg. blanket. One might even have matches. I've started fires with the cigarette lighter, although some vehicles today don't have them.
I've cut the top 2" of my sock for both TP and fire starter.

X-country wax bag I take with me every time I go out has matches and a bit of tp. Day hiking pack, same.

Really not difficult to build and make a fire. Try it a few times...