Decided to conduct a field test of my pop-can alcohol stove at the end of 2-hour hike. I was under a park shelter with no walls and wind was gusting maybe 5-10 mph. My pop-can rig is so light first it blew off the picnic table when I getting my fuel bottle top unscrewed. Finally poured the denatured alcohol in the center of the stove and was ready to light up by dropping a smaller-type wooden match in the alcohol.

Even though I have a windscreen for the stove it took me about 8 matches before I kept one lit and into the alcohol before the wind could blow it out.

Any ideas on other ways to get a flame down into the center of a pop-can alcohol stove, especially in windy conditions? I'm thinking about testing cotton swabs with petroleum jelly, lighting it with a Bic. Thinking the Bic might take the wind better and if the cotton swab w/ jelly can last a bit longer than my tiny matches. Also thinking of trying my Coghlan Lifeboat-type matches.

I'm becoming a believer in trying my gear out in various weather conditions. Not only is just fun but it gives insight into how your physical condition has a big effect on your ability to use survival equipment. Stupidly I skimped on water consumption -- took only a few sips of water about halfway through my hike. I think the dehydration made me (mildly) hypothermic. Certainly I felt the lactic acid build-up in my muscles, and I also had some difficulty gripping and striking my wooden matches.

Lesson learned: ignoring essentials such as hydration early on in an emergency could mean you won't have the capacity or reserves to save yourself when you know you're in a tight spot.

Greg