Missing hunters in Colorado

[xziang]

The old stand by that’s not used a lot is char cloth.Nice to have to supplement your fire kit.
It will go with just the spark of a wet bic.

Best thing I learned for a fire kit was on this page. Cotton balls lathered in vasaline and keep in air tight container or even zip lock bag. (Just be aware eventually they might dry out 6 months later or so)

 

[Dr.Spaniel]

There is a big difference between getting wet from sweat versus getting wet from the elements. The issue isn’t getting wet, per se. The issue is getting wet in a continuous downpour - when cold rain/sleet/snow is continuously cycling through your outerwear and leaching your body heat.

This. Anyone who’s talking about moving around to keep warm has no idea what happened to these kids. Char cloth is an excellent fire starter, if you’ve had hundreds of reps getting it moving then into the birds nest and then into a nest of particularly selected kindling. You can’t stay warm in this weather “moving around” and anyone saying otherwise should re access their wilderness survival capabilities. A set of dry clothes is a must. Always.

 

[5MilesBack]

You can’t stay warm in this weather “moving around” and anyone saying otherwise should re access their wilderness survival capabilities.

I'm not talking about days and nights on end here folks. You only have to stay warm enough long enough to get back to the truck, sheesh. And like I already stated, IF that's not an option then build a fire until it is. Lots of ways to skin that cat too........I love the road flares as they work great with ease, but weight weenies would never carry that many extra ounces. But the most important thing is to keep your head in the game.

 

[Dr.Spaniel]

You only have to stay warm enough long enough to get back to the truck, sheesh.

This is the thinking that gets you dead.

 

[5MilesBack]

This is the thinking that gets you dead.

Then build a stinking fire already. SMH

 

[keen_image]

Hope they find them safe.

Same...scary

 

[ElDiablito]

Same...scary

Too late for that…..

 

[ElDiablito]

Char cloth is an excellent fire starter, if you’ve had hundreds of reps getting it moving then into the birds nest and then into a nest of particularly selected kindling. You can’t stay warm in this weather “moving around” and anyone saying otherwise should re access their wilderness survival capabilities.

If you had to rely on char cloth to start a fire in that area on that weekend, you’d be dead. Everything was absolutely soaked. And this is coming from a guy who has hundreds of reps with char cloth….

 

[Pacific_Fork]

Too late for that…..

Obvious bot scammer trying to get post count up joined 10 mins ago.

 

[Dr.Spaniel]

If you had to rely on char cloth to start a fire in that area on that weekend, you’d be dead. Everything was absolutely soaked. And this is coming from a guy who has hundreds of reps with char cloth….

I totally agree.

 

[Bobrobheimer]

I am thinking it will turn out to have been lightning- from my selfish perspective this seems worse since it becomes more of a bad luck thing that could have gotten any damn one of us - as opposed to a matter of choices that could have been made differently or preparations or gear or skills. Though either way I think it’s gotten us all thinking about the risks of being out there and I added some fire starter and lighter to my bino harness just last night (for the dreaded pack drop/stalk scenario that shouldn’t be taken lightly)

 

[Dr.Spaniel]

Obvious bot scammer trying to get post count up joined 10 mins ago.

The information was correct.

 

[Coopsdaddy]

Char cloth is not a fire starter.
It’s a way to get an ember when all else fails.
Let’s get that out.
Just the same as a bow drill.
It’s a last resort that is way easier than a bow drill or hand drill.With no weight or space issues.

This. Anyone who’s talking about moving around to keep warm has no idea what happened to these kids. Char cloth is an excellent fire starter, if you’ve had hundreds of reps getting it moving then into the birds nest and then into a nest of particularly selected kindling. You can’t stay warm in this weather “moving around” and anyone saying otherwise should re access their wilderness survival capabilities. A set of dry clothes is a must. Always.

No one said it was the best,it’s a suggestion that weighs nothing that can get an ember when your lighter goes to shit.
You should have a nest or pile of kindling anyway.
It weights nothing.
Lighter x2
Cotton ball/vas,fuel tabs or equivalent
Fire steel
Charcloth wrapped in a square of tin foil sealed up.
Use tin foil as a fire bed if ground is wet.

 

[Idaboy]

Those poor guys, just terrible, pray for their families

 

[Fowl Play]

One thing I’ll mention since I’ve experienced it firsthand. Your phone screen likely will not work in a downpour. As soon as that screen gets wet, it can no longer distinguish your finger from water and will not register taps. You will not be able to open OnX, won’t be able to zoom, won’t be able to do anything easily to use it for navigation. Just keep this in mind. Get your bearings early and cover that screen when pulling it out. (Also carry backup maps, compass, etc) I have been caught in non-life threatening downpours where my phone was basically useless for navigation because of it.

Newer phones are getting better at this, but still have issues.

 

[Dr.Spaniel]

Char cloth is not a fire starter.
It’s a way to get an ember when all else fails.
Let’s get that out.
Just the same as a bow drill.
It’s a last resort that is way easier than a bow drill or hand drill.With no weight or space issues.


No one said it was the best,it’s a suggestion that weighs nothing that can get an ember when your lighter goes to shit.
You should have a nest or pile of kindling anyway.
It weights nothing.
Lighter x2
Cotton ball/vas,fuel tabs or equivalent
Fire steel
Charcloth wrapped in a square of tin foil sealed up.
Use tin foil as a fire bed if ground is wet.

Ok
It’s only September. Have fun and be safe everyone. Lots of hugs and kisses to your loved-ones on your way out the door.