Skill: Light a One Match Fire

In Jack London’s short story To Build a Fire a greenhorn gold prospector falls through river ice and relizes he must build a fire or perish. He meticulously coaxes a flame from some kindling, but his fate is sealed when melting snow falling from an overhanging spruce bow smothers the flame. 

Starting a campfire on a rainy summer night maybe not be a matter of life and death, but try telling that to the cold, wet, hungry mob that’s waiting for dinner. Fear not, with a single match and the following tips you can have a roaring blaze in no time. 

Instructions

To avoid a reluctant, smoky fire that needs constant attention, take he extra time to collect good firewood. The biggest mistake is using wood that isn’t dry enough, that is, wood that hasn’t been dead long enough. When woo is dry the bark has already fallen off or can be easily removed…

 

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