Storm Wolves make fire in the rain

Last time we met, the Storm Wolves were greeted with a shining winter sun. This time around, we were met with the light rain more typical of our region. Our focus being the Art of Fire, this presented us with the perfect opportunity to take our fire lighting skills to the next level. Last time we were out each of the boys were given a single wooden match. This time the group was given a book of paper matches with only four matches remaining, and challenged to ignite a small fire. First however, we had to find an appropriate location.

Planning and navgation

Heading over to the map, we figured out where it was we had been last time we visited Lookout Mountain and a general area we thought we might like to set up our base camp. A course of action decided upon, we headed out along the trail. We stopped and checked out the remains of a deer that had died some weeks ago and discussed what could have happened to it. Only the spine and skull remained and we decided that coyotes must have been feeding on it for so little of the deer to remain.

Investigating a deer carcass and wondering what could have happened

With the boys leading the way, we soon arrived at our destination and cut off the trail to look for a place to set up shop. Once we thinking about setting up and lighting a fire, the first thing everyone noticed was how much wetter it was today than last time we started a fire. It was obviously going to be more difficult to get the fire going this time around. After deciding on a location and doing a little site preparation we discussed what it would take to light a fire in these conditions. Our mentors, Tim and Jedidiah, showed the boys how to collect and prepare bundles of the finest Western Hemlock twigs for kindling, and everyone went out in search of this necessary fuel.

Setting up shop

Kindling

Once we all reconvened with our twig bundles, we realized that the difficulty wouldn't end there. Now we actually had to get them to light. We reviewed some of the lessons we learned on our last outing; remembering that the three pillars of fire are oxygen, heat, and fuel, as well as that fire will always travel upwards through fuel. And so began the process of ignition. One, two, three matches were used with limited success. The fourth match was used and although fire caught in the twigs, it didn't hold. We all came together and discussed the difficulties of fire and where we would go from here. One of the boys remembered he had some wooden matches and everyone decided the wanted to keep trying. The twig bundle we built was rearranged and improved, and with just a single wooden match fire sprang to life in the kindling. We started laying on finger thick wood we had collected earlier and after a few minutes added some wrist thick wood.

The final paper match

Building up

With some team efforts at stoking the flames and arranging fuel, our fire became self sustaining. As is apparently now tradition, we all dug through our packs to find anything we could to roast. This time included such gourmet delights as peanuts, orange slices, a cheese stick, and a granola bar. After making sure our fire was fully extinguished and erased we headed out happy with our accomplishments and looking forward to our next adventure with the Art of Fire. Next time we'll be heading out to Pine and Cedar Lakes for an epic day of hiking and exploration!

Be sure to check out the rest of the pics from this outing here.

Storm Wolves Head to the Beach

For their first dedicated winter outing the Storm Wolves beat all odds and denied fate, meeting up at the Lost Lake trailhead under the burgeoning sun of a clear winter day. As always, we opened the day with a circle to discuss the direction of the day and what we would like to accomplish. We are usually graced with a diversity of ideas, but perhaps because of the warm sun, all minds were focused in a single direction: the beach. We all agreed to head down the trail to Clayton Beach to explore, track, and once there, to discuss the Storm Wolves skill focus, the Art of Fire.

Hiding amongst the rocks

Heading out, we climbed up and onto the ‘dragon’s spine’, a classic explorer’s route above the primary trail and out of sight. Remarkably, even with a group of 9 boys making little effort to be quiet, we passed by and above several other groups withouth being seen. The hill was profuse with the signs of Douglas’ squirrels enjoying their winter larders, so we might not have been alone in this observation. Other signs of wildlife were prolific as well and when we dropped down off the dragon’s spine we were even accompanied by a deer mouse, uncharacteristically visible during the day, for the span of about 100 ft. Approaching the beach the boys were faced with the prospective railroad tracks. As mundane as it seems to simply walk over the tracks, the boys unanimously elected to go under the tracks, slipping through the culvert and emerging on the other side. Breaking through the trees at the beach we were greeted by a receding tide. We scrambled over rocks and waded through shallow water looking for a place to set up base camp, finally settling on an outcropping of sandstone overlooking the bay.

Sand hills are irresistible

As many (or possibly most) of the Storm Wolves outings have been accompanied by harsh weather it felt good for everyone to bask in the sun and relax a bit as we clambered over the the sandstone and along the beach. As some of the boys set up driftwood hideouts amongst the rocks some of the others noticed that where our approach had been blocked by water there was now open beach, and that a lone crab had been left high and dry. We returned the crab to the water and went about setting up sticks, marking the sand, and taking measurements to record the progress of the tide.

Figuring this fire thing out

After lunch we decided to head down the beach and see what it took to get a fire going. Each of the boys was given a single match and challenged to work together to create a small self sustaining fire. They broke up into several small groups which each put a small fire structure together. The first few matches fizzled out quickly. As less and less boys had their own matches more and more discussion went into how each match should be used. They discovered that although the matches could easily conjure fire, it was difficult to maintain it. Fire structures were improved as more refined materials were collected and matches were carefully placed rather than tossed in without forethought. As the last few matches were used the boys all came together as a single group. Flames caught in shredded cedar bark and valiantly attempted to ignite a pile of small twigs, but, just as things seemed to be going well, they died out. We all came together and discussed how vital fire could be and how the times when you need it most are also the times when it can be most difficult to create and maintain. We talked about some of the physics of fire and techniques for making ignition easier as well as agreeing that the fire wasn’t really lit until it could keep burning without help. After this everyone was issued another match. The fire was rebuilt and this time greater care was taken. After a few more attempts, a small self-sustaining fire came to life. As usual, the magnetic nature of fire drew everyone together and we all agreed it would be great to have something to cook over the fire. We made due with what we had and roasted some orange slices. After extinguishing the fire and cleaning up we circled up to talk about the day and give thanks. Chief among the many expressions of gratitude was that, in stark contrast with history, we enjoyed a full day of peaceful weather. For our next outing we will be returning to Lookout Mountain to more fully explore the forest we first visited this fall.

Success!

Be sure to check out the rest of the photos from this outing here.