Campcraft And Cookery Overnighter With Mike Pullen From TA Outdoors
Mike Pullen recently came down to Sussex again for another overnigher. After the success of the video we made together last year, we were keen to do something similar again, to share more skills.
We didn’t want just a repeat of last time though, so we hatched a plan to look at some really useful campcraft skills, which lend themselves to campfire cookery, then cook a really tasty dinner using what we had made.
The following morning, I also made some smaller pot hangers, based on traditional waguns, which are very useful for smaller camps and solo overnighters or short camps.
Along the way, of course, various knife, saw and fire skills are covered as a natural part of what we were doing during the time we were out in the woods.
You can watch the results in the video below…
I hope you enjoy the video. We had a fun time making it. In the comments section at the bottom of this page it would be great if you could let me know what you learned, or refreshed, from the video.
As mentioned in the video, you can get a couple of free videos from my Online Elementary Bushcraft Course as well as some additional information via this link.
Among the many techniques we covered in the film are making a withy, making a cooking tripod, making a large cooking rig, making an adjustible pot hanger for a large cooking rig, using withies for bindings, using bark for bindings, carving a beaked notch, making a simple one-pot waugun, carving a crescent notch, making a four-piece adjustable pot hanger, roasting a chicken in a Dutch oven, roasting root vegetables, using embers for cooking, making pancakes, campfire coffee, some tarp set-up options, lighting a fire with a ferro rod and big sparks and lighting small sticks with a match.
If You Liked The Above, You Might Also Like…
How To Carve A Beaked Notch For Pot Hangers
How To Sharpen A Bushcraft Knife
A Bushcraft Camping Outfit – Equipment for Living in the Woods
PK Podcast 038: Justin Barbour On Exploring The Wilderness Of Newfoundland And Labrador
49 thoughts on “Campcraft And Cookery Overnighter With Mike Pullen From TA Outdoors”
Ever the consummate teacher, Paul, you explain all in fine details. Much loved the entire video. Thanks to TA Outdoors for doing this.
Thanks Marcel. I’m glad my focus on detail has found a natural home.
Hello
Enjoyed this video – and has many handy uses – pot hangers, all very doable, usable and easy to do.
Carrot- coriander – Parsnips –
They all belong to the Apiaceae family.
When in Nepal , some of the natives – showed a method – roast the coriander –
– use . a pestel and crush- this releases the flavour- ( This can be strong for some).This flavour is different from just having the seeds, so use a trial portion.
Regards
Leena
Hi Leena,
As always, it’s good to hear from you. Interesting comments re coriander. I’ll have to experiment with crushing the seeds for the carrot and parsnip roast.
Warm regards,
Paul
Really, really enjoyed this. Loved seeing so much covered.
Glad you liked it Gav.
Another great video, I went out and tried the 4 piece pot hanger earlier after seeing how it was made. I didn’t make it perfectly but I know what to improve next time and it still worked.
It was actually your first video with Mike that led me to your blog and hopefully this one will further expand your audience.
Hi Theo,
It’s great that you went straight out to try one of the pot hangers. And I’m really glad you found my blog. Good to know it was via Mike. I’m looking forward to more collabs with Mike in due course.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hi Paul,
A very useful video. Some good has come from Brexit, was able to toggle between the hour + 20 long video and updates on that other front
Cheers, Pete
Hi Pete,
Glad you enjoyed this and it has proved something of a distraction for you.
Warm regards,
Paul
Paul,
As always a superb video! Not watched the whole thing yet but looking forward to finishing it.
You explain things in such an easy to grasp format.
Paddy
Hi Paul how it going another fantastic video great to watch and it was good to see the coffees on see soon
Cheers Steve. Coffee is always good 🙂
Cheers Paddy. I’m glad you appreciate my way of explaining things.
I appreciate your feedback.
Warm regards,
Paul
Excellent blog and vid thank you Paul
Thanks Mike.
Hi Paul,
Really enjoyed this video. Plenty to think about and to have a go at!
Best,
Trevor
Thanks for your comments Trevor. Glad this provided some things to think about. Let me know how you get on with trying things in the vid…
Warm regards,
Paul
The journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. Even with over 60+ years of camping experience, I always learn some new tidbit that I can apply in my own adventures and in teaching scouting youth. Keep up the good work.
Hi Carlan,
Thanks for your comments. I’m a firm believer in the assertion that everyone knows something you don’t. So, there is always something to learn from others. I find this exciting. The prospect of always being able to learn (for us) new things and continuously improve our abilities, whatever age we are, is a thrilling one. I’m glad you feel the same way too.
Warm regards,
Paul
Good stuff again from a winning combo. Like many other viewers, I suspect, I will be watching this more than once. Such a lot of tips to assimilate, practise and consolidate into my own routines.
Thank you.
Hello sir, I’m glad you like combo of Mike and I working together. I hope you enjoy watching this at least a second time. I’m glad you found so much of value the first time around.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hi Paul, thank you both for a really detailed and well filmed video, I noticed when you were pointing sticks for driving into the ground that you off centred the point a little to avoid the soft pith, perhaps you could mention this in other videos as i have seen many people make this mistake when pointing posts or sticks then they wonder why the post or stick splits when being driven in
Hi George. Thanks for your positive comments about the video. I’m glad you liked it. I’ll bear in mind your comments about pointing next time we make a vid.
Warm regards,
Paul
Brilliantly paced video lots of info and nicely recorded. The only ones who didn’t benefit from this was the chicken and the pig.
Thank you as always for taking the time to make this available for us all to enjoy and learn from / be reminded by.
Cheers!
Thanks Luke. Well we have Mike to thank for the filming and editing but I’m happy you liked the content of the film.
I’m glad you found the video both informative and enjoyable.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hi Paul , another great video from you with Mike like the previous one excellent video again.
Love to see all that skills .
Thanks a lot .
All the best from the Netherlands
Hello Robert,
Thanks for your positive comments about the video. I’m glad you liked this one, as you liked the previous collaboration.
Let’s hope we can make a third installment at some point not too far in the future, one that is worthy of the first two installments.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hey Paul,
Great video and very useful tips that a lot of other videos don’t always give.
Looking forward to the Bush craft fundamentals course in May this year.
keep up the great work
Regards,
Wayne
Hi Wayne,
Thanks for your comments. It’s good to hear from you again.
Looking forward to seeing you on the B&S Foundation course next month.
Warm regards,
Paul
Was great to see the pot hanger with the clove hitch from natural cordage. It’s a method I’ve never even considered. Looking forward to trying it out.
Hi Pat,
I’m glad I was able to share a few things you’d not seen before. I hope you enjoy employing them in your own bushcraft.
Warm regards,
Paul
No matter where you go, especially camping, it is always necessary to know these tips, thank you!
Yes, they are widely-applicable.
That is probably the best demonstration on how to carve a beaked notch I have seen.
Well done again Paul.
Thank you Justin. 🙂
I saw your video. You have demonstrated pretty useful tips & tricks which can be very handy while camping
These videos are excellent. You are a great teacher with a very calm, reassuring demeanor. May I ask what type of knife you use? Cheers
Hi Jay,
Apologies for the late reply. I’ve been out teaching for nearly two months. The knife in the video here is a Woodlore knife but it is the Woodlore Instructor’s version I was given by Ray Mears.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hi Paul,
Fabulous video, great detail in demonstration techniques. Clear and concise. Great to see you guys pairing up and doing this. Should you choose to do a workshop together I’m in.
Thanks again, all the best.
Tim.
That’s good to know Tim. You never know what the future may hold. I appreciate the feedback – glad you liked the video and the techniques shown.
Warm regards,
Paul
Thanks Paul and Mike for another most informative video.
Regards Peter Australia
Thank you Peter. I’m happy you enjoyed this collaboration.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hello, Paul. I really enjoyed the video. It was nice seeing the collaboration between you and Mike. Now that the weather is decent, I plan on trying some of the things I learned, especially the cooking cranes and withies. Keep doing the great work and thank you for teaching and passing along the skills.
Hi Richard,
Thanks for your comment. I so glad you enjoyed this video. It’s always good working with Mike.
I appreciate you taking the time to leave your feedback.
Let us know how you get on with applying some of the techniques.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hi, Paul,
Many thanks for another superb, informative video – the hour and twenty just flew by!
On the wagen stick demonstration at the end of the film, may I suggest a tiny alternative? I find that, when using hazel, you can flatten the long stick off to the pithy core, leaving a little wood beyond that, at the tip. The beak(s) of the adjustable stick sit very nicely in that slightly softer ‘dimple’ without compromising the strength of the end. It might be something for the hazel users to think about!
Once again, many thanks for a wonderful, informative film.
Hi Richard, it’s good to hear from you again. I’m glad you enjoyed this second collaboration with Mike.
Thanks also for the extra comments re hazel.
Warm regards,
Paul
Hi Paul
It’s been a while since I’ve posted on here. Always a great and informative video from you.
I met Steven a few weeks ago and we used some of these techniques as we were cooking for a few people. They are great techniques and must try for any bushcraft enthusiast.
All the best.
Lee
Hi Lee, it’s good to see you back here and posting. It’s good to hear you and Steven have been working together in Japan and using some of these techniques there. I look forward to hearing more about what you get up to there…
All the best,
Paul