Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

Chris Speir

The Primitive Camping & Bushcraft podcast, hosted by Chris Speir from Speiroutdoors, offers practical tips and insights to help outdoor enthusiasts enhance their wilderness skills. Each episode dives deep into topics from Chris's book, "Primitive Camping & Bushcraft," covering everything from essential gear and survival techniques to building a community of like-minded adventurers. Perfect for both seasoned pros and beginners, this podcast equips listeners with the knowledge they need to thrive in the great outdoors.

  1. From Gimmick to Essential: Campers Share Their Favorites

    6d ago

    From Gimmick to Essential: Campers Share Their Favorites

    What piece of gear did you think was a gimmick until you actually tried it? That simple question generated a flood of responses inside the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group. In this episode, Chris dives into the conversation and explores the common theme behind the answers. Topics discussed include: • Hammocks and better sleep • Camp pillows and comfort in camp • Trekking poles and reducing strain • Fire starters and the "cheating" debate • BIC lighters versus traditional fire methods • Thermacells and mosquito control • Grayl water filtration systems • Gorilla Tape and field repairs • P38 and P51 can openers • Why comfort is not a weakness • Primitive versus modern gear • The philosophy of solving problems outdoors The biggest takeaway? Good gear isn't the story. The problem it solves is the story. Join the conversation in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and let us know: What piece of gear did you think was a gimmick until you actually tried it? Remember: "In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6 Explore More from Primitive Camping & BushcraftAll my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:www.speiroutdoors.com Stay Connected:Join Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group:  www.facebook.com  📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft ☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast 🎙️ Podcast Episodes 🎥 YouTube Channel     Follow my Speir Outdoors Channels:Youtube - www.youtube.com/@speiroutdoorsFacebook - www.facebook.com Have questions or want to connect?📩 Email: admin@speiroutdoors.com

    26 min
  2. Primitive Camping by Kayak

    Jan 26

    Primitive Camping by Kayak

    In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris Speir breaks down why kayaks are one of the most overlooked tools in primitive camping. This is not about extreme whitewater or stunt paddling. It is about using waterways the way people always have to move gear, reach remote camps, and think differently about access. Rivers and lakes become highways, and a kayak becomes a working tool rather than a toy. Chris shares real experience kayak camping on Black Creek in Mississippi and at Shepherd State Park, covering how kayak travel changes the way you plan routes, pack gear, and select campsites. He explains why kayak camping forces discipline, how it reshapes your gear choices, and why dry bags, load balance, and route planning matter. The episode also connects outdoor skills with stewardship, drawing a parallel between caring for your gear and Paul’s careful transport of resources in the book of Acts. Whether you paddle, hike, or drive in, the lesson is the same. Plan ahead. Secure your load. Carry what serves the mission. If you are interested in primitive camping, bushcraft, or finding new ways to reach quiet places off the beaten path, this episode will give you a practical framework for kayak based camping without fluff or hype. Explore More from Primitive Camping & BushcraftAll my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:www.speiroutdoors.com Stay Connected:Join Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group:  www.facebook.com  📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft ☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast 🎙️ Podcast Episodes 🎥 YouTube Channel     Follow my Speir Outdoors Channels:Youtube - www.youtube.com/@speiroutdoorsFacebook - www.facebook.com Have questions or want to connect?📩 Email: admin@speiroutdoors.com

    34 min
  3. Shelter Done Right

    12/05/2025 ·  Bonus

    Shelter Done Right

    In this Fundamental Friday lesson we break down shelter from the inside out. Chris starts with clothing as your first layer of protection and how fabrics behave in heat, cold, and wet conditions. From there we move into shelter site selection using U.S. Army standards: finding level ground, spotting widow makers, judging water levels, avoiding rockslide or avalanche zones, and positioning yourself near resources without exposing yourself to predators or biting insects. Next we move into the hands-on builds. Lean To Attach the tarp to the ridgeline using two prusik loops and toggles. Stake the back corners tight to the ground to form a sloped wall. Angle the wall into or away from the wind depending on the weather. Simple, fast, and sheds rain well when tightened correctly. A Frame Lay the tarp lengthwise over the ridgeline so both sides hang evenly. Attach the center tie-out on each side with prusik loops and toggles. Stake down all four corners to create a triangular shelter with better wind and rain protection than a lean to. Diamond Fly Turn the tarp diagonally and drape one corner over the ridgeline. Fasten that corner using a prusik and toggle. Pull the opposite two wings down and stake them to the ground. This creates a tight diamond shape that works well over hammocks or on the ground, giving more coverage and airflow. Adirondack Lay one corner of the tarp over the ridgeline and attach it with a prusik and toggle. Go behind the tarp and stake out the tie outs directly opposite the toggle points to form the back wall. Fold the far corner inward for a small groundsheet. Stake the front corners to create angled side walls. Flip the top panel over the front and tie it off to a tree to add headroom. This setup reflects heat from a fire straight into the shelter and is excellent for cold weather. Plow Point No ridgeline needed. Take one corner of the tarp and tie it up to a tree about seven feet high. Stretch the opposite corner out behind you and stake it tight. Stake the remaining two corners to the ground to form a low sweeping triangle that sheds wind and water and sets up in under a minute. Great for fast shelter or sudden weather. Explore More from Primitive Camping & BushcraftAll my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:www.speiroutdoors.com Stay Connected:Join Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group:  www.facebook.com  📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft ☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast 🎙️ Podcast Episodes 🎥 YouTube Channel     Follow my Speir Outdoors Channels:Youtube - www.youtube.com/@speiroutdoorsFacebook - www.facebook.com Have questions or want to connect?📩 Email: admin@speiroutdoors.com

    20 min
  4. Cold Nights Don’t Lie

    12/01/2025

    Cold Nights Don’t Lie

    This episode digs into a cold night that didn’t go the way it should have gone. A simple overnight trip with Dave turned into a long reminder that winter camping will expose every weak spot in your gear and your planning. I took my military issue extreme cold weather sleeping bag, my Helinox ultralight cot, my wool blanket, and my down puffy blanket from East Hills Outdoors. On paper, everything looked solid. In reality, the setup had one flaw that turned the night miserable. We walk through exactly what went wrong and why I froze in a bag rated for forty below. We break down how sleeping bags actually work, why compressed insulation fails under your back, and how convective cooling pulls heat out of you faster than you expect. We also get into the difference between top insulation and bottom insulation, why a cot lifts you but never warms you, and how wool blankets and puffy blankets fill the gaps that modern synthetics don’t always cover. You’ll hear the honest field lessons learned that night, including what I should have done differently, how I now build my cold-weather sleep system, and why even seasoned campers get humbled when they overlook the basics. If you’ve ever slept cold, fought drafts, or misjudged a winter night, this one hits close to home. Gear and topics discussed Extreme Cold Weather Military Sleeping Bag Intermediate Cold Weather Bag Helinox Ultralight Cot: https://amzn.to/3XuLun8 Get out the Gear Down Puffy Blanket: https://amzn.to/4osn48K Military Wool Blanket: https://amzn.to/44Dtr1S Convective Cooling Insulation R-Value Cot vs Ground Setup Winter Sleep System Layering Primitive Camping Rations: All Products | Primitive Camping Watch the camping video on Speir Outdoors https://youtu.be/l0O36IDCvRY Grab the book and meals at Primitive-Camping.com Explore More from Primitive Camping & BushcraftAll my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:www.speiroutdoors.com Stay Connected:Join Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group:  www.facebook.com  📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft ☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast 🎙️ Podcast Episodes 🎥 YouTube Channel     Follow my Speir Outdoors Channels:Youtube - www.youtube.com/@speiroutdoorsFacebook - www.facebook.com Have questions or want to connect?📩 Email: admin@speiroutdoors.com

    35 min
4.9
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The Primitive Camping & Bushcraft podcast, hosted by Chris Speir from Speiroutdoors, offers practical tips and insights to help outdoor enthusiasts enhance their wilderness skills. Each episode dives deep into topics from Chris's book, "Primitive Camping & Bushcraft," covering everything from essential gear and survival techniques to building a community of like-minded adventurers. Perfect for both seasoned pros and beginners, this podcast equips listeners with the knowledge they need to thrive in the great outdoors.

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