To Build a Fire - Jack London

Posted by: brandtb

To Build a Fire - Jack London - 03/13/19 01:43 AM

To Build a Fire

DAY HAD DAWNED COLD AND GRAY WHEN the man turned aside from the main Yukon trail. He climbed the high earth-bank where a little-traveled trail led east through the pine forest. It was a high bank, and he paused to breathe at the top. He excused the act to himself by looking at his watch. It was nine o’clock in the morning. There was no sun or promise of sun, although there was not a cloud in the sky. It was a clear day. However, there seemed to be an indescribable darkness over the face of things. That was because the sun was absent from the sky. This fact did not worry the man. He was not alarmed by the lack of sun. It had been days since he had seen the sun.

https://americanenglish.state.gov/files/ae/resource_files/to-build-a-fire.pdf

Posted by: hthomp

Re: To Build a Fire - Jack London - 03/17/19 05:27 PM

One of *THE* inspirations for my “bomb proof” fire making kit, which contains many options for tinder and ignition!
Posted by: quick_joey_small

Re: To Build a Fire - Jack London - 03/23/19 10:56 AM

Why do people include several sorts of tinder in their kits. Is there not one 'best' one? I notice the USMC survival kit has a magnesium block only.

qjs
Posted by: Herman30

Re: To Build a Fire - Jack London - 03/23/19 11:20 AM

One would think that alco gel (like Fire Dragon) would suffice.
Posted by: gonewiththewind

Re: To Build a Fire - Jack London - 03/23/19 11:49 AM

If I have the option of only 1, it would be cotton balls and petroleum jelly. Others burn hotter, longer and some may be easy to get going, but cotton balls and petroleum jelly is the most reliable I have used.
Posted by: Burncycle

Re: To Build a Fire - Jack London - 03/29/19 02:49 AM

Remember reading that in school.

Also why I have a small road flare, among other things!
Posted by: WesleyH

Re: To Build a Fire - Jack London - 06/09/19 01:07 PM

Regarding road flares. Olin corp, now known as Orionsignals makes a convenient 2 pack of 7 min flares for the purpose of fire starting. I know you used to be able to pick them up in Walmarts outdoor section for something like $5.00 for a package of two.

I am not seeing them on walmarts page, but then I didn't go through all 18 pages of "fire starters." although they did have this interesting device you will no doubt recognize.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Emergency-Fir...inder/735422234

The Flare type starters are available from Orionsignals:

https://www.orionsignals.com/product-groups/fire-starters/product/97.html

Either way, they are handy and efficient fire starters. I have a few packages of them that are approaching 10 years old or so. I'll have to dig them out and see how well they have aged.

Ah, what I wouldn't give for a pre 1990 box of Diamond Strike anywhere matches. These days, they are strike NOWHERE!