Step 3 of 14 · Build a Campfire That Lights First Try
Gather tinder the size of threads
Gather tinder the size of threads — step 3 of 14 in Build a Campfire That Lights First Try. Tinder must ignite from a single match flame — that means material no thicker than a toothpick, preferably thinner.
Free outdoor skills tip: Gather tinder the size of threads (step 3 of 14 from "Build a Campfire That Lights First Try").
Tinder must ignite from a single match flame — that means material no thicker than a toothpick, preferably thinner. Birch bark peels into papery curls. Dry grass bundles into a bird-nest shape. Cedar inner bark shreds into fibres. Dryer lint from cotton clothes works in a pinch.
The key test: hold a single piece to a match. If it catches in under 3 seconds and holds flame, it qualifies. If it smoulders and dies, it is too thick or too damp. You need a bundle the size of a softball — do not skimp.
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