Below Zero Hike and Fire

I recently got a chance to spend some time up North, and I thought it would be a good opportunity to test out some winter clothing, as well as my ability to make a fire in extreme cold conditions. The temperature was around 10 below zero, with the wind chill as low as 20-25 below.

In conditions like these, exposed skin can become frostbitten in a matter of minutes, even less if your skin is wet. I made sure I was well covered, and set out on my hike.

Deeper in the woods, the wind chill became less of a factor, but it was still bitterly cold.

This depression in the snow was made by a deer bedding down here the night before. I bet that was a cold night.

I found this spot with lots of firewood around. I look for lots of dead standing wood because it stays relatively dry even in rain and snow, and burns well.

I hung my pack to keep it out of the snow, and got ready to attempt a fire.

First, I laid a base for a small fire. I needed to work quickly, the cold was starting to set in.

Next, I gathered a kindling bundle. Dead twigs found at the bottom of spruces and firs make good kindling. They light up readily because of their resin content, and the fact that the dense upper branches shield them from rain and snow.

There wasn't much of any usable tinder around, so I had to make my own in the form of feathersticks (with my new Condor Bushlore!) I had to remove my gloves for this part, and this was the best I could do with my hands rapidly going numb. Hopefully, they're fine enough to take a spark.

After a few tries with the ferro rod, I got them to ignite. I then gently placed my bundle of kindling over them, making sure not to snuff out the flame.