A carbide lamp is actually a very good light when it comes down to it. It provides a nearly optimal beam of light when fitted with a clean parabolic reflector and set to produce a large flame. The characteristics that make this beam of light so much better than the beam of a conventional electric headlamp is that the beam is very smooth and tapers slowly from the bright center to the dimmer edges. It makes it easy to see the big picture. You are less likely to miss your footing because the path from your feet to where you are looking is always smoothly lit.
Carbide lamps are also nearly indestructible.
That's not to say they won't go out after you drop one. But if it does, you just recover the lamp from where it lies and light it up again. But all things considered, a good carbide lamp is a reliable companion. In the mid 70's I started heading off to distant lands on expedition caving trips. Long rope drops through water falls.