My true outdoor stories out of Africa....

[Observe]

Just a small spark can light a BIG fire !

[Observe]

Started the spark for tonight's charcoal fire-starter with my EDC Multi-tool Wave saw blade and ferro-rod permanently with it [and with the help of an invisible small pinch of Vaseline on one tissue] here in this place without any wood....

[Observe]

Something 'survival' to think about....
So class,focus now,as here are some interesting info on these two specific shown fire starting tools....��������
[there are many other fire starting tools/methods as well- ]
According to my research on the net--
1] Both the ferro rod and Bic can be used for +_ 3000 strikes/fires.
2]The Bic flame can burn for +_ an hour [mini Bic +_ 20 min]
3]Due to evaporation problems, a Bic is not very effective below 0 C as the fuel will freeze and vapors became weak.
4]The ferro rod can be used reliably with the same intensity of spark in all weather conditions--[now , making a fire in all weather conditions with it is something else]
5]The flame of a Bic is about 3500-4000 C [+_ 7000 F] depending on the altitude.
6]The sparks from a ferro rod is consistently about 3000 C [5000 F] on average --more than enough to start a fire if you know what you are doing.
7]Starting any fire with the help of a little bit of petroleum jell [Vaseline] makes life just so much easier, and it is multipurpose and weigh next to nothing in your pocket.[pic]
8]For the normal/average hiker/rough camper or hunter the Bic is the practical first choice with the ferro rod as the must have back-up.
9]One shown fire tool is not 'better' than the other in my circumstances, but a Bic makes life [fire] just so much easier.
10]Remember that a Bic has lots of moving parts and as a non-smoker, it can dry up without noticing...,
11]while a ferro rod will rust and even became brittle over time if not kept and stored dry [here use the protective Vaseline in your pocket for that also..]
12]Carry both ,together they do not weigh much in a pocket.
13] PRACTICE !

14] Just think about it, if you can keep ONE fire [coals] protected and burning for 50 days [+?] like that guy on ALONE,[rainy,wet,windy and cold conditions] and given that you can get a potentially +_ 3000 fires out of either shown tool, then theoretically,having a fire should not be your biggest problem [though a priority] during a camp/survival crises....

[Observe]

[kickstand]

For some reason, the attached pics are not showing up today .

[Observe]

They work on my pc,but I've resized them and hopefully you can see them now?

[kickstand]

Yes, all working properly now, thanks!

It sounds like you've spent a bit of time in the
U.S. May I ask when & how long ? I don't mean to be too intrusive, just curious.
If you did spend any time over here, did you ever make it to the Southwestern portion, i.e Texas/NewMexico/Arizona? Does South Africa have anything spicy like red chile? I know that if you've never had it, it's impossible to say if you have anything similar.

[Observe]

yep,they do grow them commercially down here , but no, I've never acquire a taste for them.
Too hot for me...
No, but would love to visit your part of the world one day.

[Observe]

[kickstand]

Which brings us to another nosy question... what is your weather like?
Here in southern New Mexico , we are in an arid, desert climate . We stay warmer and drier than the majority of the U.S. What passes for "Winter" is just really starting to kick in, with overnight temperatures dipping into the mid 20°F (~-4°C), and our daytime highs are around the 60°F (~15°C) mark. Towards the end of January/beginning of February is usually our coldest times, with a normal low / high range of ~15°/ 35°F (-9°/ 2°C). These are the norms...in 2011 a Polar trough (or whatever they call it) hit and had us down to -15°F (-26°C). That was a rough year, and we suffered a lot of damage to equipment and flora.

Summers here get a bit warm. It's not unusual to have 20 to 30 days straight of over 100°F (~37°C) temps, but our relative humidity hovers right around 10 to 12%, unless there is a thunderstorm brewing . We average 9 to 10 inches (22 to 25cm) of rain a year, and usually get 1 to 2 inches of snow a year, which is almost always melted off the following day. We have been in a pretty nasty drought for the past decade or so.

How does that compare to your living conditions ?

[W.Lynn]

There are different levels of quality among the types of corn grits. Some, when you sample them, make you wonder if they might be abrasive enough to sandblast metal projects with. Others cook up very creamy and pleasant.

I like them with some cheese, and at dinners, perhaps even a bit of green onions.

[Observe]

Oh, it become VERY hot here in summer!
Between 55-60 C ! [130-140 F]
You avoid being outside as far as possible and the a/c is your friend !
Winters are a mild 15-25 C [60-80 F]

[Observe]

A prosperous and happy new year to all my 'primitive minded' friends here on this page from me as well.



I am back now in sandland after a wonderful but quick and short visit to my beloved family and friends back home, where I stayed at the very southernmost tip of Africa.



I traveled 9000 km x 2 flying and 1000 km + by car in 9 days !
Struisbaai [ Agulhas ] got a beautiful 25 km long continuous unspoilt and totally undeveloped white sand beach in picture as far as the eye can see from left to past the end of the picture on the right side [also no rocks at all]
-- where the Blue Whales come to breed in the bay.
I WALKED IT FROM START TO FINISH-- [but NOT back] !
All the time while hiking I looked at 'what if ' possible emergency campsites, food resources and other 'survival' possibilities that 'primitive' minded guys like us just naturally do...

I can tell you, at an unfamiliar location like this for me, distance can deceive the eyes, as I never ever thought it was that a long distance, and our water did not last, especially under the hot summer sun.....
That's why I were very grateful that my 'not so primitive' minded son- in- law got his mobile with him to arrange for the women folk to pick us up by car on the other side many hours later and really very tired and thirsty !

.....always be prepared and all that, hey ?.....



LOOKING DUE SOUTH TOWARDS ANTARCTICA AT THE PLACE WHERE 2 OCEANS MEET.....

[W.Lynn]

Lovely photos friend, thanks for sharing them. Glad you had a good visit with your family. A safe, happy, New Year to all of you.

[Observe]

Nearly,but no chance given....Limpopo
A very nice outing though !