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kimbur96
12-24-2016, 20:09
Did my first winter overnight in Rocky Mountain National Park. My bic lighter failed miserably. I had a few back up matches so eventually I did get some fire and could light my stove. I have since learned this is common with bic lighters, something about the gas not vaporizing.

So what do you use in cold winter conditions for lighting your stove or fire?

rotorbrent
12-24-2016, 20:18
Keep lighter in inside pocket to be warmed by your body heat as well as in your sleeping bag at night. Same for stove canisters or one oz alcohol at night for your morning meals

TNhiker
12-24-2016, 21:03
^^along with this----one can always use matches............

swisscross
12-24-2016, 21:09
Winter means fire steel.

MuddyWaters
12-24-2016, 21:09
fire steel works good for lighting stoves, and is easier to work with frozen fingers that barely work than a lighter.

kimbur96
12-24-2016, 21:54
Winter means fire steel.


fire steel works good for lighting stoves, and is easier to work with frozen fingers that barely work than a lighter.

ok thank you. I have a ferro rod my dad gave me. Only ever seen it used with vaseline and cotton balls. I'll try practicing with the stove.

zelph
12-24-2016, 22:02
Strike anywhere matches.
I store mine in a flashlight handle.
Flashlight uses Tritium tubes that are rated 20 year life span. No batteries needed. It was a DIY project.
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Bronk
12-25-2016, 09:44
A bic won't light if its cold. Like others have said, put it in your pocket to keep it warm or if its already cold put it under your arm for a few minutes to warm it up.

Tipi Walter
12-25-2016, 10:02
I carry three mini-Bics with me on every winter trip and they WILL work at 0F or -10F---you just have to keep them dry and warm the one you're using in your hand for a short while. I have two bics in my ditty bag and the third squirreled away as an emergency Bic just in case the buttons gets depressed on my other two and all the fuel leaks out. This happened on one trip.

Here's one way to secure your "emergency" Bic---place it in one of those McNett's repair tape containers (along with some needle and thread) and store somewhere in your pack. You'll probably never need it. The container keeps the flame button from ever getting accidentally depressed. Oh and btw, I always remove the child-proof metal band on the flint wheel---makes for much easier striking.

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/20-Days-on-Medicare/i-HtVsV5w/0/XL/TRIP%20166%20Pt%202%20022-XL.jpg

cmoulder
12-25-2016, 10:10
The childproof band is still on the one in the photo, but I know what you mean. :) They can be really annoying.

How to remove it? one might ask... Grab the little hoop with some needlenose pliers and yank it hard. (I used to snip it first at the base, but even that is not necessary.) Bend the little metal tabs back down on the top of the lighter and you're good to go.
37593

Tipi Walter
12-25-2016, 10:34
The childproof band is still on the one in the photo, but I know what you mean. :) They can be really annoying.

How to remove it? one might ask... Grab the little hoop with some needlenose pliers and yank it hard. (I used to snip it first at the base, but even that is not necessary.) Bend the little metal tabs back down on the top of the lighter and you're good to go.
37593

Btw, the band is not on the bic in my pic . . . .you are seeing the back of my stored needles and thread---

https://photos.smugmug.com/Backpack-2015-Trips-161/20-Days-on-Medicare/i-gH8LTMf/0/XL/TRIP%20166%20Pt%202%20021-XL.jpg

cmoulder
12-25-2016, 10:50
Ah, OK... mea culpa for my photographic delusion... the shadow from the little recess on the thumbwheel. :o

atraildreamer
12-25-2016, 12:46
Strike anywhere matches.


When I was a Boy Scout, I used to take Ohio Blue Tip strike anywhere matches and coat the match heads with candle wax. The wax make them waterproof and lets the match burn for a longer time, which made it much easier to start a campfire.

zelph
12-25-2016, 13:45
Strike anywhere matches.


When I was a Boy Scout, I used to take Ohio Blue Tip strike anywhere matches and coat the match heads with candle wax. The wax make them waterproof and lets the match burn for a longer time, which made it much easier to start a campfire.

I mixed magnesium powder with the wax and then coated the matches with it. Makes for an interesting fire starter.

Venchka
12-25-2016, 16:56
Strike anywhere matches.


When I was a Boy Scout, I used to take Ohio Blue Tip strike anywhere matches and coat the match heads with candle wax. The wax make them waterproof and lets the match burn for a longer time, which made it much easier to start a campfire.

I searched for strike anywhere matches in East Texas last summer. Nowhere to be found. Who sells them these days? Did the Nanny Police or OSHA or EPA outlaw them?
Wayne


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Hikes in Rain
12-25-2016, 17:19
Hard to come by, but they're still out there: https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_10?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=strike+anywhere+matches&sprefix=strike+any%2Caps%2C763&crid=2ADFO4XVGOJN

Sarcasm the elf
12-25-2016, 19:24
I searched for strike anywhere matches in East Texas last summer. Nowhere to be found. Who sells them these days? Did the Nanny Police or OSHA or EPA outlaw them?
Wayne


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Oddly enough I bought a box at Wholefoods about two years ago.

rocketsocks
12-25-2016, 23:28
I get em from my local Army Navy store.

Venchka
12-25-2016, 23:44
Thanks y'all. I'll beat the bushes a little harder.
Wayne


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atraildreamer
12-26-2016, 11:04
I searched for strike anywhere matches in East Texas last summer. Nowhere to be found. Who sells them these days? Did the Nanny Police or OSHA or EPA outlaw them?
Wayne


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They are highly restricted, but still available.

zelph
12-26-2016, 12:26
Find some on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Diamond-STRIKE-ANYWHERE-Large-Wood-KITCHEN-MATCHES-cigar-camping-survival-02123-/131251230831?hash=item1e8f2ed86f:m:mFR0IPgtnA7S5dT RwtWBHbQ

Sarcasm the elf
12-26-2016, 19:03
Thanks y'all. I'll beat the bushes a little harder.
Wayne


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Venchla - They are available on amazon if you are interested:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004B5KAF0/ref=pd_aw_sim_200_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8A9DQN4J22R6ZYQ9MAYG

EDIT: I somehow missed that the amazon link was posted yesterday :o

bikebum1975
12-29-2016, 00:53
ok thank you. I have a ferro rod my dad gave me. Only ever seen it used with vaseline and cotton balls. I'll try practicing with the stove.

I only use a ferro for starting my stoves. Practice at home its a learned skill like any others they are worth having a backup to

ScareBear
12-29-2016, 08:04
Fire steels work perfectly in cold weather for stoves.

That said, keep your BIC in your....ummmm.....underwear for 5 minutes before you need it and you are good to go...

Instead of strike anywhere matches, why not throw a few of these in your pack? They would probably light in a storm on Mt. Washington.....they burn underwater, though I've yet to find a need for that...lolol...they give off a nasty odor though, so don't get a lung full when using them...

https://www.amazon.com/UCO-Stormproof-Matches-Waterproof-Windproof/dp/B00345Q1WE/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1483012882&sr=1-4&keywords=storm+matches

ScareBear
12-29-2016, 08:08
Just got one of these in the gag bag for the Holiday...I am actually going to give it a try...review to follow...

https://www.amazon.com/Everstryke-Match-Pro-Lighter-Waterproof/dp/B01BXA8U7K/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1483013258&sr=8-2&keywords=everstryke+match+pro+lighter

Venchka
12-29-2016, 08:57
Venchla - They are available on amazon if you are interested:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004B5KAF0/ref=pd_aw_sim_200_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=8A9DQN4J22R6ZYQ9MAYG

EDIT: I somehow missed that the amazon link was posted yesterday :o

I found a shelf full in a real hardware store in West Jefferson, NC. I bought 2 boxes for $2.75. They are the Greenlight new and improved wannabe matches. I'll test them when I get back to Texas.
Thanks for all of your help.
Wayne


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QiWiz
12-29-2016, 16:21
I use butane lighters in the winter. Just warm the lighter up in your pocket before trying to use it. I usually tuck mine under my watch band when I'm starting to get set up to cook.

rocketsocks
12-29-2016, 16:23
I like good ole matches...keep em dry boys!