That one person

[looey]

You know the one that can never managed to light the camp-fire to save their life? That's me! I have tried the lean-to method but I am missing something here and before the next outing (I would prefer to not lose another bet) I would love to hear some suggestions.

[sarahbean]

Good kindling, dry wood and wooden matches is all it takes. I'm not sure what the lean-to method means but if I'm building a wood fire, I form like a teepee in the center with three smaller pieces of wood (say 2 inches diameter) with the larger logs radiating out from there. On and amongst those larger logs, put lots of dry kindling with more right in the teepee section. Couple of matches in the kindling and blow on it a little and you should be going in no time.

[2coastcamper]

The first thing you need is kindling. If you can't get the tinder to light, you're not going to have a fire.

There's a type of moss called old man's beard that's great for this if you want to show off and make a fire with only things found in nature. It hangs off trees, and looks like, well, an old man's beard. Other tinder you could use include newspaper, cardboard, pine needles or dry/dead grass.

Get that tinder going, then slowly add the kindling (the small sticks, about the size of chop sticks). Once you've got that going tee-pee some medium-sized sticks, and they should catch fire just fine.

Of course, you can also build it all at once. Tinder on the bottoms, with kindling sticks made in a tee-pee around it. Then, the medium sticks in a tee-pee above that. Light the tinder, and it should all go up.


...

Oh, by the way ... a lean-to is a type of shelter, not a campfire technique.

[campclose]

These are all great tips for starting a campfire. You know what I say, when all else fails try fire starter logs. They have something on them that makes them ignite quicker and burn. I've never used them but I have seen other people use them often.

For me, we start with newspaper (crumpled up) and kindling wood, light them and get it going. Then we put really dry wood around the fire in a teepee formation. This works the best for us. Be sure to have plenty of dry wood to keep feeding the fire.

[HereToday]

I think that wax is one of the reasons the fire logs burns so well. When I am out of dry kindling at home, I'll use one to get the fireplace going for hours. Some burn in colours, that's always fun.

[failghe]

Some people use dryer lint with candle wax. The dryer lint lights up fast and the wax keeps it burning. Dry kindling I think is the key, leaves, pine needles, sticks, the Spanish Moss also burns quickly. Start small and build up the fire. Be sure it is getting plenty of oxygen.

[Buster]

How about dry leaves, dry twigs, and a lighter? I am not too shy to bring a lighter with me camping. Sure, I'll try other methods of lighting a fire just to prove I can do it. But when all else fails, I just flip my Bic.

[justontime]

This may not be good news, but some people just never get it. My daughter is like that, she is very academic but when it comes to practical skills there is no hope. At 20 she still can't put up a tent, light a fire or do a number of other basic tasks. I think the secret is to keep trying and if you are camping with someone who can light a successful fire, make sure you do all the work and they just guide you, people learn better from doing than from watching.

[camotoe]

I take two logs maybe the size of your forearms. Place them about 8-10 inches apart. Take three or four sheets of crumpled newspaper (not crumpled too tight). Place the papers between the logs. Take some small sticks (kindling) about the same diameter as pencils, but a bit longer. Place these above the crumpled paper, spanning both logs. Light the paper in several places. As the paper burns, it will ignite the kindling. Have plenty more kindling at your side, and as the fire grows, be prepared to continue to add dry wood on top. The pieces should gradually become larger. Sometimes if it's sluggish, you can help things along by blowing at the base of the fire, or use a paper plate to "fan the flames". Fire needs to breathe...be sure it has plenty of air and dry fuel (sticks). Keep the fire concentrated in one area, rather than allow it to spread out too much. Good luck. I know you can do it!

[JimBarb]

I was taught to include a whacked-up fire log (one of the store bought ones) and ziploc it into 1/2 dozen bags and pack it with my gear.

Put a piece of the fire log in the pit, build your wood "teepee" over it, and then use a piece of paper to light the firelog underneath it all.

If it will work in the Seattle area where the forests are perpetually damp, it should help you, too.