Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

Chris shares his honest process of rethinking his pack—what gear matters, what gets left behind, and why less is often more in both bushcraft and faith. He dives into the real-world testing of three different camping bags, reviews the Rothko European Rucksack, and explains why tools should serve, not define, a man. Scripture focus is Matthew 6:19–21.

Pull Start fire link: https://amzn.to/3ZkFqyQ

What You’ll Hear:

The problem with pack...

Chris returns to Camp Wut-Da-Heck for a raw, unfiltered discussion about the most essential survival tool in the outdoors: your knife. With the wind blowing and fire smoke in the air, he unpacks not just the gear—but the deeper truth behind what makes a knife worth trusting. From field-tested blades like the Morakniv Garberg to his personal favorite, the BPS Bushcraft II, Chris lays out what separates a flashy showpiece from a real...

Fireside Talk: Overnight Kayak Trip on Black Creek

In this special long-form episode of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast, host Chris Speir is joined by his good friend Dave for an unfiltered, unscripted fireside chat on the banks of Black Creek, Mississippi. Recorded during an overnight kayaking trip while testing out Vibe Kayaks, this episode blends bushcraft knowledge, spiritual reflections, and campfire storytel...

Today we’re camped under the tarp at Camp Wut-Da-Heck, rain beating down hard and frogs cutting loose in the woods, digging into one of the truest tests of primitive camping — starting a fire with wet wood and just one match.
Chris walks through real-world fire-building skills forged from hard days in the field: how to find dry material when it feels like nothing’s dry, how to split and feather soaked wood, and how to build a fire l...

Episode Highlights:

Why Chris pulled back from social media and content creation

The heart behind the new Camp Wut-Da-Heck and its connection to his friend Scooter

What’s changing with the podcast and YouTube moving forward

Replacing quick “hacks” with real stories, real skills, and real purpose

Announcement of upcoming audio-only episodes recorded outdoors under tarp

The launch of “The Waypoint” community + email newsletter

Faith reflect...

Chris takes us deep into his cooking gear pile, sharing real-world insights on cookware that works in primitive camping—from the heavy hitters like cast iron Dutch ovens to lightweight titanium pots. He covers a wide range of gear including coffee percolators, salvaged aluminum pots, antique Coleman cook sets, and even modular bushcraft kits that double as mess kits or survival storage. If you’ve ever wondered what to bring for bac...

This week, Chris covers his favorite campfire meals, highlights some lightweight gear finds from an antique store, and discusses how you don’t need the latest tech to enjoy the outdoors. He also introduces his top-used camp kitchen tool roll and gives a shoutout to Creek Camper.

Topics Covered:

Why the podcast moved to a new YouTube channel: The Primitive Camper

Meal planning for 3–4 people: $10–11 camp meals

Cooking gear talk: old-sch...

Show Notes:

New YouTube Channel Announcement

• Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast videos have moved to a dedicated YouTube channel, The Primitive Camper.
• Explanation of how analytics, views, and engagement drive content strategy on social media.

Weekend Fire Incident: Lessons in Outdoor Cooking Safety

• Chris shares a harrowing experience with a grease fire while cooking filet mignon.
• Step-by-step recount of the fi...

Introduction

• Chris shares updates on his book Primitive Camping & Bushcraft, its rising Amazon rankings, and current discounts.
• Encourages listeners to check out the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Coffee Blend.

Freeze-Dried Foods

• Overview of freeze-dried food options like beef stroganoff, scrambled eggs, and beef stew.
• Discussing the cost-effectiveness of purchasing bulk freeze-dried ingredients vs. store-bought camping me...

Topics Covered in This Episode:

• Beef Jerky: The ultimate protein source for the outdoors—how to slice, season, and dry it to perfection.
• Dehydrated Eggs: Scramble and dry your eggs for easy, lightweight breakfast options.
• Tomato Chips: Bold, flavorful, and perfect as a snack or cooking ingredient.
• Squash & Zucchini Chips: A crunchy alternative to store-bought chips, made from fresh produce.
• Onions & Mushrooms: Lightweight, ...

• Transitioning from fire-building to food preparation in survival and bushcraft.
• Following along in Primitive Camping & Bushcraft book (Page 182).
• The importance of food and how it ranks in survival priority.

Why Food Matters in the Wild:

• While food isn't an immediate survival necessity like shelter, water, or fire, it becomes critical over time.
• The body requires key nutrients for energy, cognitive function, and organ healt...

Episode Overview:

• Recap of previous fire-related episodes: bow drill, fire kits, tinder, and fire-starting techniques.
• Introduction to fast fire-starting hacks using easily accessible materials.

Fire-Starting Hacks Covered:

1. Fatwood:
   • What it is, where to find it, and why it’s the best fire-starting material.
   • Demonstrating fatwood shavings and ferro rod usage.
2. Cattail Fluff:
   • How cattail fluff acts as flash tinder an...

Fire is one of the most important survival essentials, and having a reliable fire kit can make or break an outdoor adventure. In this episode, Chris Speir takes a deep dive into assembling the ultimate fire kit, discussing essential fire-starting tools like BIC lighters, ferro rods, char cloth, magnification lenses, and fatwood. He shares personal experiences, practical tips, and insights on how to ensure you can start a fire in an...

Episode Highlights:

• Introduction to the Bow Drill: Understanding what it is and how it works
• Debunking Myths: Fire doesn’t come from rubbing sticks together—it comes from friction and heat
• Breaking Down the Components
  • Hearth Board: Choosing the right softwood for success
  • Spindle: Selecting the ideal length and diameter
  • Bearing Block: Why fatwood and resinous materials are game-changers
  • Bow: Finding the right curve and choosing the...

In this episode, Chris Speir discusses the critical skill of fire-starting for outdoor enthusiasts and survivalists. Starting from basic fire principles to advanced tools, Chris provides detailed reviews of popular fire-starting devices like ferro rods, arc lighters, and magnesium blocks, sharing personal anecdotes and practical tips to ensure you’re prepared for any situation. He emphasizes the importance of practice, resourcefuln...

Welcome to Season 2 of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Podcast with your host, Chris Speir! In this episode, we dive into the essentials of fire-building from the book Primitive Camping & Bushcraft. From psychological benefits to practical techniques, Chris shares insights into the mesmerizing power of fire and how to master its creation, even in challenging conditions. You'll also hear a recap of recent camping adventures and le...

Show Notes

• Episode Highlights:
  • Recap of water filtration topics covered in previous episodes.
  • Deep dive into commercial water filtration systems:
    • Squeeze filters: Features and use cases.
    • Gravity filters: Effortless filtration while you multitask.
    • Grail GeoPress: The ultimate water filter for clean drinking water anywhere.
    • Straw filters and their emergency use applications.
  • Pros and cons of various filtration syste...

Introduction:

• Chris shares the exciting news of his first grandson, Hudson, being born.
• Announcement of the holiday schedule: one more episode before the podcast breaks for the holiday season and resumes in the new year.

Natural Water Filtration Techniques:

• Tripod Water Filter:
  • How to build a tripod with basic materials.
  • Layering grass, charcoal, and sand to filter water.
  • Tips for making the water clearer and im...

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Why Chemical Disinfection?
While not my preferred method, chemical disinfection is a reliable backup when you need to ensure water is safe to drink in the wilderness. Learn how iodine and bleach effectively kill biological contaminants like bacteria, Giardia, and viruses.

How to Use Iodine for Water Purification

• The correct ratio of iodine to water based on temperature and clarity.
• Why iodine-treat...