What are your thoughts on making a raised bed for camping?

That simple question generated a lively discussion inside the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and revealed something interesting. People weren't really debating the raised bed itself. They were debating comfort, effort, experience, age, skills, and what they want out of their time outdoors.

In this episode, Chris shares the story behind a raised bed built during a camping trip years ago and explores the many viewpoints that came from the community discussion.

Topics include:

• The original raised bed photograph and camping trip

• Raised beds versus hammocks

• Sleeping off the ground

• Insulation and staying warm

• Cedar boughs, pine needles, and natural bedding

• The reality of sleeping on cold ground

• Comfort versus tradition

• Age, injuries, and camping differently over time

• Long-term camps versus overnight camps

• Skills versus convenience

• Leave No Trace considerations

• Florida, Mississippi, and regional camping differences

• The biblical story of Jacob and the stone pillow

• Why good gear and good skills both solve problems

• The importance of understanding the "why" behind outdoor techniques

The biggest takeaway?

The raised bed isn't the story.

The problem it solves is the story.

Join the discussion in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and let us know:

Would you build a raised bed, or would you rather sleep in a hammock?

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In this episode, we dive into one of the most active discussions to hit the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft community in recent months. What started as a photo of a loaded backpack quickly turned into a deeper conversation about experience, comfort, preparedness, and the lessons learned from time spent outdoors.

Topics discussed include:

Whether you're preparing for your first overnight camp or refining a loadout built over decades, this episode offers practical insights for choosing the right gear and leaving behind what no longer serves a purpose.

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Mosquitoes have ruined more camping trips than bad weather, broken gear, and cold coffee combined.

In this episode, Chris Speir discusses one of the most common problems faced by campers, hunters, fishermen, and bushcrafters: mosquito control. Drawing from years of experience in South Mississippi, Alaska, deer camps, and conversations from the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group, Chris breaks down several methods people use to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Topics include:

• Why mosquitoes can ruin an otherwise perfect trip

• Traditional methods including campfire smoke

• Dog fennel and American beautyberry

• DEET, Picaridin, and Permethrin

• Head nets and protective clothing

• Common mosquito myths and misconceptions

• How Thermacell products work

• Hunting with a Thermacell during bow season

• The new Thermacell Backpacker model

• Wind, setup time, and real-world limitations

• Why good gear solves problems

• Lessons learned from years outdoors

The biggest takeaway?

The gear is not the story.

The problem it solves is the story.

Join the discussion in the Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook Group and let us know what mosquito control methods work best for you.

Remember:

"In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:6

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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 & Bushcraft
All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
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The Primitive Camping & Bushcraft Facebook group has been growing fast, and with that growth comes some great discussions. In this episode, I take a look at a recent post that sparked a lively debate about lightweight hiking chairs.

Are they worth the weight?

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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.

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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.

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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

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All my links, gear, community, and content in one spot:
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📖 Book: Primitive Camping & Bushcraft

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SHOW NOTES
• This Fundamental Friday expands on Monday’s podcast and breaks down each lantern demonstrated on-camera.
• Gear covered: Luci / BioLite solar lantern, LuminAID Titan, the unnamed crank lantern, and the Blavor power station lantern.
• I show how each device works, how bright it is, what it weighs, how long it runs, and where it belongs in a primitive camping setup.
• These are the exact lanterns I use at Camp Wut Da Heck for night work, safety, and comfort.
• If you want to support the channel, grab them through my links below.

YOU NEED TO ADD THESE LINKS TO THE SHOW NOTES
• Amazon link for Luci / BioLite lantern
• Amazon link for LuminAID Titan
• Amazon link for LuminAID standard model
• Amazon link for Blavor power station
• Amazon affiliate storefront link

Explore More from Primitive Camping & Bushcraft
All 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

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🎙️ Podcast Episodes

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Have questions or want to connect?
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Today’s conversation is all about practical lighting in camp. I walk through the lanterns I actually use, why each one has a job, and how they’ve held up in real weather, river nights, and deep woods trips. From ultralight inflatable solar lanterns to heavy basecamp chargers, I break down what each one is for and why I keep them in my kit.

Gear Mentioned (Remember to add affiliate links):
• LuminAID Lantern – your main work light
• LuminAID Titan – heavier, brighter, doubles as a battery bank
• Luci (BioLite rebrand) inflatable solar lantern
• Blavor Power Station Lantern
• Unbranded solar USB crank lantern 
• Tea light can DIY example
• Headlamp and small LED flashlight
• Page references in your book (Page 70–73 sections)

Explore More from Primitive Camping & Bushcraft
All 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/@speiroutdoors
Facebook - www.facebook.com

Have questions or want to connect?
📩 Email: [email protected]