#fire-starting
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Posts tagged with #fire-starting
Why does the MSR PocketRocket 2 not work when using a waterproof match in 5°C river water?
I was out on the river at about 5 °C, tried to start a fire with my MSR PocketRocket 2 using a waterproof match from a 2nd‑gen UST‑200 kit. The stove just sputters and won’t light. I primed the fuel line exactly as the manual says.
Is the PocketRocket supposed to need a dry match, or does low ambient temperature kill the catalytic coil? Also, does the 1.5 L titanium canister need a pressure check at that temp? I’m using a 230 g canister that reads 8‑10 psi.
Could the match head composition be the issue? Any fixes or explanations would be appreciated.
oops i messed up my fire start test
so i tried to light a fire with a match and a wet rock in the woods. i thought it was a slick trick, but it blew my gloves up and left me staring at a smoldering mess. real lesson: dry tinder first, never trust a wet rock. keep a spare match in a waterproof bag. sorry for the drama, learned it the hard way.