I'm sure forum members often get's fustrated trying to convey how hard the trees are in their regions, I'm also sure there are members here that feel fustrated trying to convince us how dry their hiking areas are, well I'm often fustrated trying to explain just how wet my area is.
When trees fall down here they don't go ' Thud ', they just sorta go ' Splish ' and instantly turn to wood mulch when they hit the floor !
More often than not you can topple pretty big trees just by leaning on them, heck if you had a Chili the night before then you can probably topple smaller trees by farting near them !!!
As much as I love getting out in the woods, even I was struggling to motivate myself when I saw yet more heavy rain today. It's beyond a joke now, I can't remember the last dry day ! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />
There should be another level on here saying " Fire.....yeah good luck with that !"
This isn't a nice little creek, it's the main trail !
I'd noticed someone had posted this morning about good tinders for their ferro-rod so figured if my tinders worked in this weather then they will work for anyone !
First I located some dry Cedar, even in the wettest weather you can often find a dryish spot on a tree in dense forests.
Next was to add some Balsam resin~
Some extra dried pine resin will also help~
Finally a little Fatwood, not the best I've seen but it will do. I would also split this down as secondary tinder if I was planning on making a proper fire.
Next task is find a slightly sheltered spot or create a shelter over your fire area. I found a spot that was somewhat sheltered~
Now the fun started. My fire steel was a Going gear type which I suck at using. It throws huge molten ball type sparks but they tend to miss my tinder by about 6 feet. I think if I'd closed my eyes and spun around while striking the ferro-rod I'd have increased my chances of hitting the tinder !!!
I did actually hit it on around my 3rd strike but it just smouldered and went out. A few strikes later it did the same again. My tinder was now getting wet. I'm guessing it was after about 12 strikes that I finally had success~
Snicker looked like a drowned rat !
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Luckily Maisy loves the wet !
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And yours truly near the start of the hike with my knife !!!<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />
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My knife today was a non-Busse-kin knife so please don't ask about it !!!!