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Paul Kirtley

Wilderness Bushcraft. Survival Skills. Outdoor Life.

Woodlore Instructor's Knife being used for campcraft
Campcraft And Cookery Overnighter With Mike Pullen From TA Outdoors

Campcraft And Cookery Overnighter With Mike Pullen From TA Outdoors

Paul Kirtley Comments 49 comments

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.

tying a clove hitch with a strip of sweet chestnut bark.
Tying a clove hitch with chestnut bark to secure a pot hanger is one example of the campcraft shown in the video.

If You Liked The Above, You Might Also Like…

A Night In The Woods (Movie)

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


Bushcraft, Campfire Cookery

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49 thoughts on “Campcraft And Cookery Overnighter With Mike Pullen From TA Outdoors”

  1. Marcel says:
    at 21:37

    Ever the consummate teacher, Paul, you explain all in fine details. Much loved the entire video. Thanks to TA Outdoors for doing this.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 02:12

      Thanks Marcel. I’m glad my focus on detail has found a natural home.

      Reply
  2. Leena says:
    at 07:12

    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

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:45

      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

      Reply
  3. Gavin Henry says:
    at 10:35

    Really, really enjoyed this. Loved seeing so much covered.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:46

      Glad you liked it Gav.

      Reply
  4. Theo says:
    at 10:50

    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.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:47

      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

      Reply
  5. Pete says:
    at 11:43

    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

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:47

      Hi Pete,

      Glad you enjoyed this and it has proved something of a distraction for you.

      Warm regards,

      Paul

      Reply
  6. Paddy Scott says:
    at 13:13

    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

    Reply
    1. Steve o'keeffe says:
      at 16:08

      Hi Paul how it going another fantastic video great to watch and it was good to see the coffees on see soon

      Reply
      1. Paul Kirtley says:
        at 23:56

        Cheers Steve. Coffee is always good 🙂

        Reply
    2. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:48

      Cheers Paddy. I’m glad you appreciate my way of explaining things.

      I appreciate your feedback.

      Warm regards,

      Paul

      Reply
  7. mike perry says:
    at 14:14

    Excellent blog and vid thank you Paul

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:48

      Thanks Mike.

      Reply
  8. Trevor Stone says:
    at 14:38

    Hi Paul,
    Really enjoyed this video. Plenty to think about and to have a go at!
    Best,
    Trevor

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:49

      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

      Reply
  9. Carlan says:
    at 15:07

    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.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 00:05

      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

      Reply
  10. Oltimer says:
    at 18:57

    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.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:57

      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

      Reply
  11. George Nash says:
    at 19:19

    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

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 23:58

      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

      Reply
  12. Luke Ludwell says:
    at 22:02

    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!

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 00:00

      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

      Reply
  13. Robert says:
    at 22:37

    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

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 00:01

      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

      Reply
  14. Wayne Knight says:
    at 15:07

    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

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 14:23

      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

      Reply
  15. Pat says:
    at 17:47

    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.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 14:22

      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

      Reply
  16. Excursion to Mexico says:
    at 20:47

    No matter where you go, especially camping, it is always necessary to know these tips, thank you!

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 14:21

      Yes, they are widely-applicable.

      Reply
  17. Justin Dawson says:
    at 23:48

    That is probably the best demonstration on how to carve a beaked notch I have seen.
    Well done again Paul.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 12:23

      Thank you Justin. 🙂

      Reply
  18. Pradish says:
    at 11:40

    I saw your video. You have demonstrated pretty useful tips & tricks which can be very handy while camping

    Reply
  19. Jay_B says:
    at 01:24

    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

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 12:15

      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

      Reply
  20. Timothy Collins says:
    at 20:16

    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.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 12:08

      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

      Reply
  21. Peter Emerson says:
    at 10:10

    Thanks Paul and Mike for another most informative video.
    Regards Peter Australia

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 12:04

      Thank you Peter. I’m happy you enjoyed this collaboration.

      Warm regards,

      Paul

      Reply
  22. Richard says:
    at 13:49

    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.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 12:04

      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

      Reply
  23. Richard Tiley says:
    at 13:23

    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.

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 12:02

      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

      Reply
  24. Lee issitt says:
    at 00:58

    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

    Reply
    1. Paul Kirtley says:
      at 11:53

      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

      Reply

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