The Esbit type fuel tabs wrapped in vaseline soaked cotton balls light easily and burn hot for about 9 minutes. I put a lighter in every pocket of my pack , 1 in my shirt pocket and 1 in my HPG recon.
When my wife and I get stuck w/ a rainy day we use the stuff in our packs to build a fire. In conditions like Okanagen shows it has taken up to an hour to get a real fire going. I keep a 2 ft square piece of aluminum foil as a dry base and put up a quicky tarp 1st.
Keep a chem handwarmer w/ your kit so you don't fumble the critical actions.
I use yellow dishwashing gloves in my aid kit instead of disposable.These help keep your hands dry and somewhat warm while collecting and prepping your wood.
I find firestarting skills to be perishable as well as essential.
mike r
