Acquiring clear ice is the challenge. The first time that I made fire from ice I bought an ice block from a dispenser and then cut, shaved, and formed a lens using a pruning saw. My warm hands smoothed the surface.

I always had trouble trying to create clear ice at home. I was able to find clear ice at a nearby stream where I fashioned a nice lens but the same weather under which the ice formed was also cloudy and prevented the solar capability of sunshine.

While surfing the web I saw an advertisement for a clear ice making device for beverages that could make a sphere. I have used a glass sphere as a lens to make fire and so decided to acquire the ice maker so that I could demonstrate this remarkable fire craft method.

I acquired the clear ice kit and was happy with the resulting sphere. As I rubbed it in my hand the frosty surface became clear and usable.

Here are some observations and suggestions when using ice.

– Once the ice is exposed to sunlight it will begin to melt so the ice will begin to shrink and drip. Prop your tinder at the edge of an elevated support so water drops will miss the tinder and not pool next to it.

– While holding the ice lens be careful to allow full exposure to the sun’s rays to maximize the effectiveness of the focal point on the tinder.

– As with all optical methods it is best to select dark material for tinder and if it is fiberous, pinch it tight to create a flat surface on which to focus as there is no focus on fluff. The condensed material also transfers heat and helps to create a coal.

My next goal is to cut the ice sphere in half to increase the focal distance. It will be fun to have this capability for my personal use as well as the ability to demonstrate to others.

NOTE: Size/diameter makes a difference in an optical tool. Using a 2″ ice lens is difficult to ignite tinder. I used some charcloth with my tinder successfully. A 5″ ice lens for example would not require that advantage. Also, make sure that the skies are clear before you venture out to use this method.

– For water proof storage: Packing clothes and other items inside plastic bags within your backpack or luggage will help sort and retrieve things more easily. The contents will stay dry if you drop your pack or bag in water or are caught in the rain for an extended period of time.

– To expedite travel bag inspections: When traveling by public transporation where security inspections take place your luguage contents can be easily inspected by security personnel and will remain intact. I keep non-approved items in a separate bag so that it can be easily removed and left behind before-hand, however, it remains in my bag if I travel privately.

– As a clothes washer: A large bag can be partially filled with water with a bit of soap. Next, insert a few clothes items that need washing. Gently toss the bag from hand to hand to agitate. Clothes can be rinsed the same way with plain water.

– As a canteen: Water can be carried in a sealable plastic bag that when opened at the corner provides a spout from which to drink. It can be placed inside a second plastic bag for an extra measure of protection against leaks. For transport it can then be kept inside a cloth bag or pocket, providing it with support and added insulation.

– As a cooler: A bag filled with ice can keep it’s contents cool for many hours. This works best with sealed items like cans or bottles.

– As an ice pack: A bag can be partially filled with water and frozen around an object or instead you can just fill it with ice.

– As a funnel: You can cut a tip off of the bottom corner and pour contents into the top. This has worked successfully for adding gasoline into a car tank in a pinch.

– As a tinder carrier: Keeping tinder dry could prove to be critical when traveling in a survival situation.

– As a water lens for making solar fire: By filling the bag with water, squeezing out the air, and forming it into a ball, you can focus light on a sunny day well enough to start a solar method fire (yes, I’ve done this…).

– As a fishing float or buoy: You can attach a fishing line or anchored line to an inflated bag to either fish or mark a spot for submerged items.

Perhaps you have used sealable plastic bags in other travel or emergency situations. Please leave a comment from your experiences.

At that time I didn’t carry a lighter with me as I do now, but the thought occurred to me that if I held a flame under the key and heated it up that when I inserted it into the lock the heat would transfer and loosen the parts inside the cylinder. So, I went to the office of the motel where I was staying and asked for some matches. Sure enough, the heated key did the trick. Of course, these days cars can be unlocked via remote, but for older models, that may not be an option.

For cold climate veterans, this may seem trivial, but I would love to hear your comments on other cold weather solutions that you have used.

Many folks who are reading this grew up in snow country and have learned to prepare and adjust to the extreme cold. But there are many more who have not experienced the effects of hypothermia such as violent shaking and reduction of motor functions. This leads me to suggest that it would be beneficial to familiarize yourself with frigid conditions in a safe and controlled environment in order to gain this valuable experience and knowledge. If you don’t live in snow country, try stepping outside some early morning and hose yourself off, clothes and all. See how long it takes to begin shivering and try to perform survival tasks. Wear gloves and see how it effects your dexterity. How well do you function when using a striker bar, or when striking a lighter, or when opening a pocket knife? Perhaps your tool selection might change if you experience difficulty in the process.

Hypothermic conditions are magnified when you are wet and exposed to the elements, so remember to stay dry and insulated. And if you’re starting a fire, build it on a dry surface. It helps to light an intermediate short-term fuel like a candle or a tire inner-tube strip to provide heat while the tinder that surrounds it dries enough to sustain a fire.

Any comments offered from actual experiences are most welcome. They could prove to be invaluable to our readers.

I was thinking about how many ways that I have made fire… but really, there are five ways (see Ken’s five fire categories) but each way has many means to accomplish it. Take for instance, the OPTICAL way uses light, but the means to accomplish making a fire include a flashlight reflector, car headlight reflector, silver mixing bowl, modified CD, soda can, makeup mirror, glass paper weight, lens shaped ice, pocket Fresnel lens magnifier, glass magnifying lens, etc.. Also, water filled items include soda bottles, plastic bags, condoms, flower vase bowls, clear light bulbs, and more. The point is to concentrate heat in a spot long enough to cause combustion. It’s really a lot of fun to figure out different methods, and of course, in a survival situation, it could save your life!