One skill and a tiny tool could save your life in the outdoors

BANGOR DAILY NEWS • March 26, 2026

Every winter, I read about hikers who died on snowy mountains not far from my home. As an avid hiker, I think long and hard about these tragedies, searching for a way that things could have unfolded differently. What could have saved the person? Wearing ice cleats? Packing an extra jacket? Carrying a map? Hiking with a friend? This line of thinking recently led me to ponder a crucial skill: fire building. On a cold winter night, having the means and knowledge to build a small campfire just might save your life.