One Log Fire Challenge

[Marvell]

Here's one I use on longer courses for those who have really like fire. It's designed to teach people about fire lighting and fire management.

Take a dead (not rotten) log, about a foot long and about three inches across and burn it to nothing whilst still making it last as long as possible.

You do it with only a knife and a sparker. No external tinder and no other fuel or kit.

The method basically involves breaking it down a bit, feathering bits and getting the fire lit and then lighting the rest.

Yes, you could match stick it all, but it would not last long. But equally, you could make bits too thick and it either not light all through or not all of it burn to ash.

It's a fun, repeatable challenge. Have a go.

Maybe do it with a mate at the same time and see which one can make theirs last longest.

[Shewie]

I like it, I'll try to remember to time it when I have a go.

[Martin]

Sounds like a fun idea. We'll have to try this one at a future meet. :)

Martin

[paul standley]

Hey Marvell,

That's a challenge, a good one for a solo winter camp when you need to keep busy to keep warm.

Good on you for being in the RNLI.

My father in law and a couple of my brother in laws used to be on the lifeboat out of Appledore years ago...respect...

Paul.

[Mouldsy]

That is like a task that I had to do on a woodsmoke course,we were given a log about the same size and one match plus a litre of water, the task was to boil the litre of water useing only the log and the one match of course we also had a container for the water, it was a very interesting challenge and taught you how to prepare and look after your fire it is a good task to practice.

[Sleepy]

Might have to do this at the weekend (if I've got enough daylight) instead of my bow-drill plan.

Can I use a batton?

Would it be cheating to use silver birch (comes with tinder)?

Won't be seeing how long I can make it last though, I'll be using it to make a bigger fire as I want the warmth during the night and for it to still be alight in the morning - denying me a brew in the morning is a BAD idea lol.

[Metal mug]

Sounds like a fun idea. We'll have to try this one at a future meet. :)

MartinWill there be a prize? - I know a log! :D

[bushcraftybob]

im going to give that a go next time im away ..

[paulthefish2009]

that's a great challenge. it's so wet round here at the moment that I think I would struggle to find anything dry enough though. Paul

[OakAshandThorn]

Same here. It was snowing for awhile yesterday, and then it turned into rain. Now everything is a slushy mess...

[InTooDeep]

Will there be a prize? - I know a log! :D

haha thats awesome :)
i wish here in newfoundland there were more people who shared my love of bushcraft skills and constant learning about nature... there are plenty of trappers, hunters and fishermen, but they all seem to have the same basic set of "just enough" knowledge to keep themselves alive for 24 hours... it seems like 1 out of every 4 people in the UK have this urge to practice bushcraft, you guys are lucky to have what seems to be a close knit community of bushcraft lovers...


/jealous canadian lol

[beermaker]

Like the sound of this - when the weather's a bit more clement I'm going to try it with the kids at work as an "educational activity" :D

[Kernowek Scouser]

Missed this first time around, definitely something that would be fun to have a go at, perhaps I'll give it a try at this years RV.

Just out of interest Steve, what is the longest folks have managed to keep the log going on your course?

[rawfish111]

Teaching the mrs and kids various fire related stuff atm and this sounds an excellent challenge that we can all try together, cheers

[AdrianRose]

I've seen this challenge/exercise kicking about on YouTube for a few years but never gotten around to doing it.

Think I'll have to have a go this year.

Ade

[Bernie]

Anyone done this? What sort of times are we looking at for different woods?