A Glow in the Dark: Starting a Campfire

READERS COMMENTS

Tim, if you got paid for writing that article, you should give the money back. I agree with Steve C, "To build a fire" hits the nail on the head, Practice, Practice, Practice, is always the best medicine,... BP- I still love you though:)
Posted: Aug 17, 2008 Jay

Cool stuff. I frequent the woods often and I always carry alternative sources of fire making. Specifically, flint and steel set, strike anywhere matches, and a magnesium stick. All in various pockets. I also came up with the idea of scraping off an ample amount of the magnesium stick and keeping it in a water- proof match container. Just in case I have a cold weather emergency. Can you imagine being wet and shivering trying to scrape off enough magnesium to build a fire?
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 John Stevenson

This article reminded me of this I already knew. Some of us forget from time to time, but lucky for us we have Backpacker.com.

Thanks for everything guys.
John, US Army Dog Handler, Fort Rucker, Al.
Posted: Aug 08, 2008 John

Criticism is fine, but how about offering alternatives. Anyone can critique but if you want results, offer up some of your own.

For instance, the cedar is incredibly dense, as such, on a rainy day, locating a cedar tree is a gold mine. Use the dry wood in the "heart" of the tree as tinder or even kindling. On dry days, the whispy bark of the cedar makes excellent tinder.
Posted: Aug 07, 2008 Jimmy

I agree with you guys. I have to admit that the only reason I continue to subscribe to Backpacker is for the pictures and gear reviews. Rarely do I actually learn anything new about backpacking/camping from it. For that you're better off reading Boys Life from the Boy Scouts ;)
Posted: Jul 28, 2008 Ian

this site is getting old,same people, same advice,how about expanding beyond entry level?
Posted: Jul 27, 2008 Dennis

If this is all you have to offer. I can get more info almost any place. I dont need backpacker. You folks can do better and your readers deserve better. Give us a good piece on this subject. but everyone need to understand nothing beats practicing.
Posted: Jul 21, 2008 Doug Melton

Are you serious? That does no one any good. Of course you need to find dry wood. And if im in a survival sitch, last thing im thinking about is leaving a burn ring...
Posted: Jul 20, 2008 Dark

I expected more information than a few short paragraphs. Pretty lame.
Posted: Jul 19, 2008 Bob

great info... for pre-schoolers
Posted: Jul 17, 2008 Anonymous

This topic has so much potential and was a real disappointment to realize it was relegated to about 3 short paragraphs and 3-4 sentences. The best comparison I can make is expecting to hear the winning Lottery numbers, only to get cut off after "The winning numbers are..."
Posted: Jul 17, 2008 JAWZ

10-4 that Allen Force. Your secrect is also mine. You can cram a ton of cotton balls into a film can. I've watched a single cotton ball burn for minutes using this method.

Cheers
Posted: Jul 17, 2008 Mac

Nothing new in the article, but thanks Clay for the tip about cotton balls. That was worth reading.
Posted: Jul 16, 2008 Trail Runner

Disappointing! No useful new info--everyone knows those things.
Posted: Jul 15, 2008 Susan S.

That's it?
A bit of a let down don't you think?
Cotton balls dipped in vaseline and stored in a film canister is the secret to my success...
Posted: Jul 14, 2008 Clay M.

Duh!
Posted: Jul 14, 2008 Allen Force

This is a decent tip for the city boy, but this could have been broadened in many ways.

Always try to carry a small bottle of alcohol based hand sanitizer, it works wonders for starting a fire in damp weather, aside from its obvious uses.

There are many forms of flint strikers that are small and easily clipped to a belt loop or backpack. This little tool takes a bit of getting used to but once perfected it can be a life saver in any weather.

Im sure many of you can come up with quite a few more tips to add.
Posted: Jul 13, 2008 Sandmunky

You've got to be kidding. Use dry wood & stay out of the wind? That's your tips for how to "Light a Fire in Any Weather"?? I think it's time to send Tim H. camping somewhere a little more challenging than a KOA Kamping Kabin.
Posted: Jul 11, 2008 Searchboy

While I would agree that it is something that every Boy Scout should know, most of the the information contained in Backpacker 101 is. In some cases there is additional information but therein is why I as a Scoutmaster subscribe. I would, however, have appreciated at least the same information in this story as I can get from the Boy Scouts and would commend for the writers information the Boy Scout Handbook or the Fieldbook, both of which are Bibles for outdoor excursions. Overall this magazine rocks and is as great source for the advanced backpacker as it is for the beginner. I commend you for your efforts and thank you for, "keeping on keeping on."
Posted: Jul 10, 2008 Dann Flaherty

My advice is to practice at home in all kinds of weather. It sounds simple enough - to build a fire - but most people haven't tried in the rain, snow or humidity. Jack London wrote a great short story called 'To Build a Fire' which every backpacker should read. So read up and next time it rains, go out to the back yard and try your hand at this ancient skill. Then you'll be better prepared for when you need it.
Posted: Jul 10, 2008 Steve C

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