raydarkhorse,

I think I get what you are saying and agree whole heartedly. Hopefully relevant but maybe more of a rant than anything so I apologize in advance.

I went XC-Skiing a few weeks ago and we opted for the comfort of a rented cabin instead of toughing it out in the snow. More of a social event for the group than anything. Because of the simplicity of the trip and cabin accommodations we had a few book learned outdoors people along in addition to real experienced outdoors people.

We got back to the cabin late so I volunteered to start a fire in the fire place. We had ample cut, split and seasoned wood stacked neatly in the woodshed ready for our use. We had matches, lighters, newspaper…mort than enough stuff to start 100 fires. Pretty much the most ideal situation you will ever come across for starting a fire.

I gathered all of the appropriate items to get this thing started and went to work. I figured just a minute or two and we could all start warming up. Then not 30 seconds into crumpling newspaper for tinder one of the armchair outdoorsmen started advising me that I was doing things wrong and he had never read anything about the way I was going about things. Well usually that’s ok and I would be happy to kindly guide a person through proper fire starting techniques but the attitude I had been getting all day from Mr. know it all had finally gotten to me.

I backed away without a word, handed him the matches and said please show us how it’s done. (he had NEVER started a fire before as I found out later) We all watched him work in vane for about ½ hour before I finally asked if it would be ok if I gave it another shot because we were all getting a little cold.

I started the fire and I am sure I embarrassed him but I guess he did get somewhat of an education.

In retrospect I feel a little bad about it and I should have taken some time to explain a few things to him but boy I’ll tell ya he sure had a high and mighty opinion of himself and his book learning skills the whole day and it did feel a little good to bring him back to reality.

All said I think a few of the people with us learned that just reading about a survival process is a lot different than actually doing something.

End of Rant.

I will try and be more patient in the future but man he was under my skin.

Cameron