Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

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.

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.

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.

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.

In this week’s Fundamental Friday, Chris demonstrates practical ways to pre-filter nasty, stagnant water before boiling or running it through a commercial filter. Learn how to stretch the life of your gear with simple bushcraft hacks using a filter bag, a handkerchief, a coffee filter, or even a K-cup.

In this episode of Fundamental Friday, Chris winds down a primitive camping day by cooking Spam in a skillet, cleaning up with hot water, and setting up camp lanterns for the night. From improvised pillows to versatile lights, this session highlights the small comforts that make roughing it enjoyable.

In this Fundamental Friday episode, Chris demonstrates how to filter water with a gravity system, set up camp with a sleeping pad and wool blanket, and prepare dinner on a compact wood-burning stove. From clean water to sizzling Spam in a skillet, this video highlights how to balance survival essentials with comfort in the woods.

Hike along as we spot natural insect repellent (American beautyberry), gather dry pine-straw tinder, collect and filter water, and choose a safe campsite away from widow-makers. Then I show exactly how to pitch a lean-to: setting a ridgeline with bank line, using a marlinspike toggle, tightening with a trucker’s hitch, and attaching the tarp with prusik loops and stakes.