Butane's vapor-point is the problem, not the ignitor......
Any butane-powered device will have this same issue.

Mike B.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Michael Elliott" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2008 11:26 AM
Subject: Pesky lighters

> Okay, this barely qualifies as having any Vanagon content whatsoever but
> here goes anyway: Mrs Squirrel and I use BBQ/fireplace lighters like the
> Scripto Aim N Flame* when camping because the long snoots are useful for
> lighting the stove and essential for poking into and lighting mantle-type
> oil lanterns. For most of the year they work just fine, but this winter
> I've been spending the occasional night up at 7,000 feet, where the piezo
> ignitors commonly used on those lighters start not working so good, and
> where the below-freezing temps reduce the pressure of the butane or
> whatever fuel is in them. In short, they click and they click and no flame
> comes out.
>
> I could use wooden kitchen matches, but they are a bit messy and smell
> kinda stinky (he said, fastidiously).
>
> So I'm curious to know if any of you folk who live in the high places and
> cold weathers have anything which works real good and is pokeable (for
> them lanterns)?
>
> ================
> * I find the statement on Scripto's website
> (http://www.scriptousa.com/lighters.html) that "Whether appearing on a TV
> show or at your local campfire or barbecue, Aim N Flame is instantly
> recognizable" to be vaguely troubling. They crave attention? It never
> occurred to me that the Aim N Flame might want to be recognized. How much
> more about the secret inner emotional world of the Aim N Flame do I not
> know about? What if we have to start worrying about the feelings of all
> our lighters?
>
> --
> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> 71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> 74 Utility Trailer. Ladybug Trailer, Inc., San Juan Capistrano
> KG6RCR