Sources of Dry Tinder in very wet situations

Hi all, I would like to compile a list of sources for dry tinder in places that are very wet because of extended bouts of rain.

I'll start it off by repeating what Jon said in one of his audio tapes, and I will add more as I think of them and come across new ones.

Large Fallen over trees, dry punky wood.

Tags: bow, burn, drill, ember, fire, kindling, punk, tinder, warmth, wood

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Permalink Reply by PEZ on September 25, 2009 at 5:17am: I have always been able to find some fine twigs that remain dry on hemlock trees. Still attached to the trunk at about shoulder height.

Also, if you have birch in your area, you should try making a fire with paper birch bark. Great fire starter, burns long - not like paper.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Linda on September 25, 2009 at 8:50am: Dead limbs on standing trees are generally better than fallen limbs. PEZ is correct about the twigs on hemlock trees - we always search those out. I've heard that you can stuff damp moss or other materials under your shirt and you body heat will help dry it enough to use...; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by frank doss on February 23, 2010 at 12:40pm: Hi, some tinder thats always dry,and helpful when making bowdrills, is cedar shavings i find
the branch im going to use for the spindle and baseboard and wheni split it it is always dry inside
then with my knife at 90 degree angle i shave off enough tinder. A fun game is to make the entire
bow drill kit from the same tree. ofcourse the shavings of the inside of any branch are usually dry
inside. just that cedar is my favourite for bow drill. Another good one is cedar bark fluffed up then
mixed with pitch to make a sticky little ball,i usually rub this in dirt, or put usnea all around it,
it really helps to start a fire when its raining out.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bruce Carron on March 16, 2010 at 12:57pm: When it's been raining steadily for days and the wind has been blowing 40 knots and even hemlock twigs are soaking, there is always fire the from the tree between living and dying. Shaved it's even better. And if in doubt about it being wet enough, one can always drop it in a creek for a while, take it out, shake of the excess water and make a fire.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by PEZ on March 16, 2010 at 2:40pm: Bruce, why is this? Does the sap harden in the wood and make it waterproof or something? Can you explain a little further? Thank you.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ryan on March 16, 2010 at 2:54pm: "And if in doubt about it being wet enough"

Not sure I understand what you mean by this, can you please expand? Thanks!

Ryan; ▶ Reply to This