[pct-l] To Flare or not to Flare

[linsey]

Dear Altathunder,

A flare seems so  heavy that I never considered carrying one although I share a desire to carry fool proof emergency firestarter.  Among the myriad emergency firestarting solutions I carry, my kit contains what I consider my secret weapon:  pre-drilled magnesium shavings.  I core drilled my (heavy) magnesium block and carry a substantial amount of just the shavings in a sealed bag which is much lighter and easier to deal with in wind then trying to shave a mag block in a survival situation. 

Sincerely, Lollygag 

PS  Some of the other redundant firestarting tactics I carry are listed below, perhaps it's obvious that I live in the rainy state of Washington...

matches
lighters
waterproof matches
mini Swedish fire steel
waxed tissue off of homemade cereal bars
bag balm (or vaseline) coated cotton balls
alcohol based hand sanitizer
Heet
Esbit
char cloth/tinder (sealed)
pre-drilled Magnesium swarth