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 packing too much gear

Breakdown of three camping bag setups

Review of the Rothko Canvas Rucksack

What gear stayed and what got cut

A field-tested packing list under 25 pounds

A biblical challenge: pack lighter spiritually too

Why your real weight should be carried by Jesus

Mentioned Gear & Links:

Rothko European Rucksack

Pathfinder Bushpot + Skillet

Grille Geopress Filter

Nightcat Lay Flat Hammock

East Hills Jungle Explorer Hammock

Lucy Solar Lantern

Membrane Solutions Water Filter

Cold Steel Special Forces Shovel

Pull Start Fire (sponsor)

Challenge for the Week:
Lay out your gear—and your heart. Ask: what actually earns its weight?

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

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📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com

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 workhorse. He shares stories of gear that’s been abused, sharpened, re-used, and never let him down.

But this isn’t just about steel. As Chris digs into Hebrews 4:12, he draws a powerful parallel between a sharpened edge and the Word of God—both capable of cutting through confusion, fear, and the noise of life. He challenges listeners to not only sharpen their blades, but their faith—to be ready when the real test hits.

Whether you’re a seasoned bushcrafter, a weekend camper, or someone just trying to find clarity in the wilderness of life, this episode brings it all together: real tools, real lessons, and the truth that what works—stays.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

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📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com

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 storytelling in a way that only the outdoors can inspire.

This is more than just a conversation — it’s a slow burn. The fire pops, crickets chirp, and two friends talk about gear, survival, faith, and the outdoors with the kind of honesty that only comes when the cameras are low and the stars are out.

The top 3 items they’d take on a primitive camping trip (spoiler: T-bone steaks make an appearance)

What to do if you lose all your gear halfway down the river

How to use willow bark to make cordage

Scariest outdoor experiences (wild hogs, gators, getting lost as a kid)

Funny camp mishaps and dumb injuries

The worst camp meal (or why Armadillo Stew is better than you'd think)

Reflections on faith, creation, and feeling close to God in the wilderness

One piece of advice they’d leave their grandkids about living outdoors

Why everyone thinks they can start a fire with sticks (but most can't)

The real reason you should always wear a life jacket

Whether a knife and tarp are really enough to survive for a week

The importance of learning how to use a compass and topographic map

What most people get wrong about camping and survival

This episode kicks off the Fireside Talk series — raw, campfire conversations that are part survival, part spiritual, and fully human. Whether you're paddling down a river, hanging a tarp, or sipping coffee by your own fire, this one's for you.

Join the conversation in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group. Let us know what your top 3 items would be… or share your own story of faith in the outdoors.

“We don’t go camping to run from life. We come out here to slow down and recharge…
So grab another log, throw it on the fire, and remember this:
In all your ways, acknowledge Him — and He will direct your path.”

Thanks for sitting by the fire with us.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

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📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com

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 lay that breathes life into soaked sticks when the rain just won't quit.

But this episode isn’t just about survival skills — it’s about the mindset it takes when comfort fails and grit has to kick in.
Between thunder cracks and raindrops hammering the tarp, Chris shares hard lessons learned about trusting your preparation, finding strength when you're waterlogged, and leaning on more than just gear when life gets heavy.

Drawing from Isaiah 42:3, you’ll hear a powerful reminder that even when storms leave you soaked and spirit-heavy, God sees the dry core inside you — the part that's ready to catch fire again.
Because whether it’s in the woods or in life, one spark, one small act of faith, can reignite everything.

If you've ever wondered if you could still cook your meal, warm your bones, or stand your ground when the storm comes in sideways, this is the episode you need.

In everything you do, acknowledge Him.

Mentioned in this episode:

Field-proven fire-starting techniques for wet conditions

Finding and using fatwood, birch bark, and pine resin

Building a fire lay that breathes in wet weather

Why preparation beats bravado when the storms hit

Faith encouragement based on Isaiah 42:3

Here is the link to the all weather matches I discussed: https://youtu.be/HsMzcpZbEAA?si=L4PBGfGx6S5IQhG8

In everything you do, acknowledge Him.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com

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 reflections tied into Easter and spiritual waypoints

Preview of future episodes, release schedule, and how to stay connected

Mentioned in this Episode:

Primitive Camping & Bushcraft book – now available on Amazon

Primitive Camping Coffee – now available in multiple sizes

Camp Wut-Da-Heck – new home base for Speir Outdoors content

“The Waypoint” Facebook Group & Email Newsletter

Call to Action:
Subscribe, leave a review, and pick up the book or coffee through the links at www.speiroutdoors.com. New episodes drop Mondays at 6:00 AM.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com

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 backwoods cooking—or why some gear stays and others get left behind—this episode lays it all out with practical, time-tested experience.

What You’ll Learn:

Pros and cons of stainless steel, titanium, aluminum, and cast iron

Why a coffee percolator might just be your favorite pot

The evolution of Chris’s favorite cooking pot (spoiler: it’s cooked armadillo)

How to repurpose antique gear for modern bushcraft

Setting up for camp cooking without carrying the kitchen sink

Next Week's Topic:
Stoves, ovens, grills, and bush pot ovens—plus what’s next for the podcast as we shift gears from the book to more real-world outdoor adventures.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

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📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com

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-school copper skillet and cold-handled Snow King skillet

Shoutout to Creek Camper for inspirational content

Classic percolator coffee paired with Primitive Camping Blend

Storytime: camp goulash with dad growing up

Gear rant: titanium vs aluminum vs stainless steel

The truth about “latest and greatest” gear—do you really need it?

Top gear that’s stood the test of time: BPS knife, Grail GeoPress, Titan Lumenade, LockB Tool Roll

Tour of the camp kitchen roll: seasonings, spork with ferro rod, olive oil, bouillon, and even a can opener

Update on building the new Basecamp outdoor studio

What’s coming next on the channel

Mentioned Gear:

Cold-handled skillet (Snow King Baking Powder)

Aluminum copper-bottom skillet (Made in France)

Vintage percolator

LockB Tool Roll

Primitive Camping Blend Coffee

Titan Lumenade Lantern

BPS Bushcraft II knife

Tapiris spork with ferro rod

Grail GeoPress water filter

Call to Action:

Subscribe to The Primitive Camper and Speir Outdoors on YouTube

Rate the podcast and leave a review

Send in your camp cooking ideas or questions

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com

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 fire, his reaction, and how the fire department responded.
• The importance of fire safety when cooking outdoors.

Introduction to Outdoor Cooking

• Cooking as an essential bushcraft skill and a way to relax after a long day in the outdoors.
• Discussion of cooking temperature safety, especially for meats like poultry, beef, and fish.
• Strategies for determining proper doneness without a food thermometer.

Different Cooking Methods in the Wild

• Using logs, rocks, and open coals to cook efficiently.
• The pros and cons of open-coal cooking vs. controlled heat methods.
• How to properly utilize coals instead of flames for even cooking.

Essential Cooking Gear for Camping

• Importance of carrying a metal container for cooking and water purification.
• Exploring different cookware materials: titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and enamelware.
• Pros and cons of each material, focusing on durability, heat distribution, and weight.
• Introduction of aluminum camping cups as a lightweight, budget-friendly cooking option.

Cooking with Cast Iron vs. Stainless Steel

• Cast iron as the best option for flavor and durability but too heavy for backpacking.
• Stainless steel as the best balance between weight and durability for camping trips.

Looking Ahead: Future Cooking Topics

• Preview of the next episode covering camp stoves, portable cooking systems, and fuel options.

Final Thoughts & Wrap-Up

• Encouragement to grab a copy of Primitive Camping & Bushcraft on Amazon while it’s on sale.
• Promotion of Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Coffee Blend and upcoming events.
• Invitation to join the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group for community discussions.

🔥 Explore More from Speir Outdoors
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
👉 links.speiroutdoors.com

Stay Connected

📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

☕ Coffee: Primitive Camping Roast

🎙️ Podcast Episodes

🎥 YouTube Channel

🧭 Socials, Blog, and More

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: Admin@speiroutdoors.com