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Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

Chris Speir

Primitive Camping & Bushcraft is a weekly podcast hosted by Chris Speir, outdoorsman, author, and founder of the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft community. Each episode explores practical camping skills, bushcraft, gear that actually works, lessons learned from the field, stories from the campfire, and conversations inspired by thousands of outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're building your first fire or refining decades of experience, this podcast is about learning, sharing knowledge, and enjoying life outdoors.

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20 episodes
Avg 28 min
English

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#76
July 13 · 29 min
Batoning Wood: When It Makes Sense and When It Doesn't
Batoning wood is one of those bushcraft topics that quickly divides the camp, but the real question is not whether the technique is good or bad. Chris breaks down the different viewpoints, when splitting wood with a knife actually solves a problem, and why good judgment matters more than proving what your knife can handle.
#75
July 6 · 47 min
What Is the Point of Bushcraft If Modern Gear Works Better?
Modern backpacking gear is lighter, stronger, and more comfortable than ever, so what is the real point of bushcraft anymore? In this episode, Chris breaks down the difference between camping, primitive camping, bushcraft, and survival while explaining why knowledge, practice, and preparation still matter more than whatever gear is sitting in your pack.
#74
June 29 · 37 min
The Backpack Debate: What 500 Comments Revealed
A simple Facebook post about a backpack sparked nearly 500 comments and revealed that the real discussion wasn't about gear at all. From ultralight hikers to military veterans and bushcrafters, the conversation uncovered how experience shapes what we carry and why wisdom often weighs less than equipment.
#73
June 22 · 27 min
Would You Build a Raised Bed for Camping?
A simple photo of a raised bed sparked a surprisingly deep discussion inside the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group. In this episode, Chris Speir explores the debate over raised beds, hammocks, comfort, skills, insulation, and why the real question isn't whether a raised bed is worth building, but what problem it's trying to solve.
#72
June 15 · 27 min
Mosquito Control: What Actually Works?
Mosquitoes can turn a great camping trip into a miserable experience, and every outdoorsman seems to have a different opinion on how to deal with them. In this episode, Chris Speir explores common mosquito control methods, discusses years of experience using Thermacell products, and explains why the best solution is often the one you'll actually use.
#71
June 8 · 26 min
From Gimmick to Essential: Campers Share Their Favorites
A simple question in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group sparked a huge discussion: what piece of gear did you think was a gimmick until you actually tried it? In this episode, we explore the surprising answers, from hammocks and camp pillows to Thermacells and fire starters, and discuss why good gear isn't about gadgets, it's about solving problems.
#70
June 1 · 30 min
Are Hiking Chairs Worth Carrying? The Group Weighs In
This week I dive into one of the biggest discussions happening inside the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group: are lightweight hiking chairs worth carrying or just extra weight? We look at real comments from group members, talk gear, comfort, multi-use items, and why there is no single right way to enjoy the outdoors.
#69
January 26 · 34 min
Primitive Camping by Kayak
Primitive Camping by Kayak looks at how traveling by water changes the way you plan routes, pack gear, and choose campsites. This episode breaks down why kayaks are practical tools for reaching remote camps and how river travel forces discipline, intentional packing, and smarter camp decisions.
Dec 5, 2025 · 20 min
Shelter Done Right
Shelter is the first fight you win in the woods, and this episode walks you through clothing, site selection, and five proven shelter builds using both natural material and a tarp. Each build is shown step by step so you can recreate it in the field without guesswork.
#68
Dec 1, 2025 · 35 min
Cold Nights Don’t Lie
I break down a cold night where my military grade sleeping bag couldn’t save me from a simple mistake in my sleep system. This episode shows exactly what went wrong, what the cold taught me, and how to build a setup that actually keeps you warm when temperatures drop.
#67
Nov 28, 2025 · 13 min
Fundamental Friday: Camp Lighting Systems
This episode walks through the solar lanterns, crank lights, and backup power sources I actually use on the river and in the woods. You’ll hear the pros, the failures, and the honest field results so you can build a lighting setup that keeps your camp safe and workable at night.
#66
Nov 24, 2025 · 39 min
Solar, Inflatable, Rechargeable. The Camp Lights That Never Quit
This episode breaks down the lighting system I rely on after years of forgetting flashlights and stumbling through camp in the dark. I walk through the exact lanterns that earned a permanent place in my pack, how they work, and why they matter for safety, comfort, and night movement.
Nov 21, 2025 · 9 min
Trusting the Compass When the Woods Get Thick
A straight walk through real woods shows how far a simple baseplate compass can take you when your phone dies and the map is all you’ve got. This episode breaks down the gear, the method, and the honest limits so anyone can move through timber with confidence.
#65
Nov 17, 2025 · 34 min
Topographic Maps and Compass Skills Most Campers Overlook
While hiking five miles out with no cell service, Chris lost his only map and had to rely completely on a pre-set compass bearing to find his way back to the truck. In this episode he breaks down the basic navigation skills that saved him and shows how simple compass knowledge can keep anyone from getting dangerously off course.
#64
Nov 10, 2025 · 28 min
From Ember to Blaze: Lessons from the Bow Drill
In this episode of the Primitive Camping and Bushcraft Podcast, Chris takes you from the smell of fair food and meeting listeners to the quiet focus of bow-drill fire craft, walking step by step through how to turn a single ember into a steady flame. Along the way, he shares a listener story about family, faith, and purpose in the outdoors, showing that tending your fire is a lot like tending your soul.
Nov 7, 2025 · 14 min
Is Your Fire Kit Missing These 5 Essential Bushcraft Tools?
In this Fundamental Friday episode, Chris breaks down the Primitive Camping Fire Starter Kit piece by piece, showing how to use fatwood, ferro rods, char cloth, and fire plugs to reliably start a fire in any condition. He demonstrates each tool’s purpose, explains how the tin itself can be used to make new char cloth, and shares practical fire-starting tips for every camper or bushcrafter.
#63
Oct 27, 2025 · 31 min
That time I forgot my light
A quiet evening hunt turns into a full blown adrenaline dump when Chris realizes he forgot his flashlight and something massive is growling in the dark. What starts as a gear lesson about always carrying light turns into a deeper reminder that real confidence in the dark comes from the Light you carry inside
#62
Oct 20, 2025 · 35 min
Burning More Than Wood: How to Keep Your Energy in the Wild
Chris dives into one of the most overlooked parts of primitive camping—fueling your body. He breaks down how to plan meals by calorie count, what foods actually keep you going in the field, and the four rules every camper should follow to stay strong, alert, and ready for anything.
#61
Oct 13, 2025 · 30 min
Seasons Will Always Change, Will You Change With Them
As the weather cools and the leaves begin to turn, this episode looks at what it means to change with the seasons instead of resisting them. What started back in early spring is coming to full reality in just two short weeks, and the timing couldn’t be more fitting.
Oct 10, 2025 · 8 min
Camping Meal Experiment: Freeze-Dried Beef Stroganoff That Actually Tastes Amazing
Chris walks listeners through his newest freeze-dried camp meal experiment — a hearty beef stroganoff with ready-to-eat pasta that requires no boiling or extra cook time. Filmed and tested beside a riverside campfire, this episode blends practical bushcraft cooking, real-world experimentation in the wilderness.

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