Backcountry Camping in the Cold - Campfire Cooking, Tarp Shelter, Bushcraft, Pot Hanger, Carving

I spend a night camping in the northern part of Alberta, Canada.
The purpose of this trip was to scout out a new area for me to camp. After spending hours hiking, I decided it was time to set up my camp for the night.
I chose a flat area under a large pine tree, set up a plow point tarp shelter, and stayed warm and dry for the night.
Thank you so much for watching. Please feel free to leave your comments and questions below.
Trip temperatures:
High (day): -8 degrees Celsius (17.6 degrees Fahrenheit)
Low (night): -17 degrees Celsius (1.4 degrees Fahrenheit)
FAQ:
Where was this filmed?
Alberta, Canada
Is there dangerous wildlife in this area?
Yes. In this area there is grizzly bears, black bears, mountain lions, wolves, and coyotes.
Do I carry anything to protect myself from these wild animals?
In the warmer months of the year I usually carry bear spray. In these colder temperatures bear spray would freeze, so during all my winter and cold weather trips I do not carry any protection.
Have you ever been attacked by a wild animal while camping?
No. Wild animals are usually very timid towards humans, and tend to leave us alone.
What is the sheet I laid on the ground to sleep on?
A gum blanket. It is a canvas sheet that is rubberized on one side to act as a moisture barrier between myself and the ground.
What did my bedroll include?
Two 100% queen size wool blankets (brand unknown), and a foam sleep pad (for insulation between me and the ground).
Did I get cold on this trip?
No. I layered my clothing (wore 4 layers over my upper body, and three layers on my legs), wore warm boots (Sorel 1964 CVS), drank lots of hot liquids, and kept my fire well stoked.
How did my fire stay going all night?
I woke up 3 times throughout the night to add more wood to the fire.
Why did I cut down a tree for firewood?
The tree I cut was a dead-standing pine tree. Dead-standing wood tends to be a lot drier than downed wood and makes for far superior firewood.
Removing these dead-standing trees promotes new growth within the forest. It opens up space for new plants to grow and allows for more sunlight to reach the forest floor.
Why bother lighting the candle-lantern at night when the fire is so bright?
The fire is only that bright during the shots that I film so that my camera can see what I am doing. I achieve such a bright fire by adding a bundle of small dead twigs to the fire. This bright firelight only lasts for about 2-3 minutes. The candle light is bright enough for me to carve next to, and all of the off-camera carving was done using the candle light.
What did I eat?
For a snack on the first day, I ate my mother's legendary homemade antipasto on top of crackers. (Special thank you to my mom for such a delicious treat!)
For supper I cooked a sausage and made a toasted sausage sandwich.
For breakfast I had a thin cut of beef and an egg, both seasoned with salt, pepper, and seasoning salt.
What was the spoon carved out of?
Jack Pine
Is snow safe to melt and drink?
In this area, yes. It is a very remote location and there's no pollution to worry about. I still bring the melted snow to a boil because it's best to drink liquids hot when it's that cold out (to keep your body temperature up).
What was I drinking?
Melted snow (water), spruce needle tea, and black tea.
How did my egg not freeze?
I kept my egg under my wool blankets during the day, and checked on it frequently to make sure it wasn't getting too cold. If I thought it was getting to cold, I simply warmed it up next to the fire the placed it back under my wool blankets. During the night I placed the egg inside one of my mittens and slept with it under my blankets.
What knife did I use?
Helle Sigmund and a Mora spoon knife.
Where did I have my food in my pack?
The meat was inside my cook kit and the bread and crackers were inside my tea kettle.

[@KuskBushcraft]

FAQ in the video description! Location, temperature, gear, and more all answered above. Thank you all for watching!

[@73FORGE]

Kusk Bushcraft another great one brother! Cheers👍🏼🍺🔥

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thank you so much! Cheers!

[@strykeghstbrnr4812]

If we taught homeless folk these skills, it could help em survive off thar land. Y'all makin me hungry. God bless

[@KuskBushcraft]

God bless you too!

[@baloton1518]

Nice video. I love it! What is the name of your cooking kit?

[@BROutdoor]

Ladies and gentlemen your winner for best pot hanger of the year on KZbin🏆🤣

[@KuskBushcraft]

Haha thank you so much!

[@TeacherSBD]

Yeah, much simpler than mine, lol!

[@drooscek100]

I'll put in my vote as well!!! Very cool👍

[@JBW_UK]

I grew up in rural Ireland, my parents split before I can remember and my step dad was always a dick to me yelling at me telling me to go away. I was always outside building natural shelters, tracking animals. I even had a go at hunting and caught myself a rabbit once with a snare. I clubbed it and skinned it when I was roughly 11, dried the skin, hung it to dry only for the cat to shred it up 😂 basically what I’m trying to say is I haven’t done some good bushcraft in a couple years now but next pay check I’m getting me some equipment and looking for some good spots. You have motivated me to get back out there kusk. I’ve forgotten how beautiful it really is to just fuck off mileeees away from another human and just be at one with nature.

[@kanethompson708]

😆🍻

[@ursogsts]

i like how your videos are so quiet . it’s so relaxing to listen to the fire and experiencing the nice winter forest

[@dopecard4297]

Steffen Steensbaek these videos make me almost feel like I am in the woods camping with him!

[@davidpayne1519]

I really like that that u dont havy crazy music n not talking n all is in the section below awesome man carry on brother

[@7nicknames]

I'm a simple man... I see a Kusk video, I hit thumbs up

[@NPCSN]

This is crazy.... I was literally looking for “pot hanging” techniques... well done. 😁

[@rashedalshehhi6817]

He is genius

[@bhdrjohn]

I am stealing that trick!

[@kevinrodriguez2067]

Just the kind of video I've been waiting to see from you, I learned a lot. You're definitely good at bringing new ideas to the table and you have techniques even the bigger bushcraft channels don't show us.. Thanks Riley keep up the great work!

[@JoseMiguel-zc2jq]

The video skills of this guy are just incredible. This is the type of content youtube need! Abraço de Portugal!

[@Naemamnam]

*It is a video that you are satisfied with just watching.* 🤭🤭🤭 I want to enjoy bushcraft in the woods.

[@MAEHO11]

There is a lot of winter snow 👍👍👍

[@KuskBushcraft]

Winter hasn't even started here yet. I expect to get another couple feet of snow by the time winter really gets started. Thank you for watching, take care.

[@MrRamyourcar]

Very serene. And quiet. Love it

[@cristiansana7144]

Forest, snow, clean air and silence, best place to relax your mind

[@bgurtek]

I keep telling people to integrate a stout tree into their shelters - you actually did it!

[@hrdcrd]

BEST | Bushcraft | channel

[@notquiteultralight1701]

Wow! Just brilliant!! This is exactly how we should all travel in the backcountry! Quietly and no impact on the land. Nicely done!

[@ScottOut-n-About]

Your vids continue to be very entertaining. You obviously have a knack for not only the bushcraft but also the filming and editing of these trips. Thank you for sharing.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thank you for your kind words! Take care.

[@michaeladams9807]

I love your videos I can watch them for hours. 👍👍🌲🍁🍳

[@WillEDC]

Sounds are lovely ASMR. Your hobo clothes and gear down to your beard is aesthetically pleasing to the theme. Very nice.

[@pablocruise678]

Again, not a word spoken.. I saw the movie castaway when he cut to the forest and the silence..

[@ronaldrose7593]

Hello my outdoors friend, thank you for another tagalong into the Canadian forest. I really enjoy these outings. You are quite a skilled bushcraftsman. The very best of good things for you and your wife. I look forward to the next exciting adventure. 🤗

[@superspinmove]

This video makes me sad... because I wish I could be this 'in touch' with nature. Great vid brother... keep it up!

[@VIKINGOINTRUDER]

It is always a real pleasure to watch your videos. Beautiful camp!Greetings from Argentina.

[@kanethompson708]

🖐

[@davidbarnhart6228]

Real relaxing video! Great work on the pot hanger!!!

[@blurrphysco1025]

Hey kusk, nice vid! I kindly ask for you to do a gear video we’re you show everyone you gear and how you pack, I think that would be a well appreciated video, thanks!

[@captainwright237]

Incredibly pure, calming and enjoyable content. Truly wonderful.

[@bratskbaikal721]

Beautiful video!

[@sosteve9113]

Nicely done,well made and a great video, greetings from a Belgian bushcrafter

[@bay2perry809]

Another stress free video!

[@sarangabbasi2560]

15 minutes flew away. relaxing video

[@pokie868]

So peaceful watching your videos

[@WayneTheSeine]

Awesome Pot hanger boom setup. I would have been crying with it that damn cold. Great video. Your description detail is really awesome.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@Stevenowski]

Ah, the serenity of it all. 👍🤔

[@HatchetSurvival]

awesome video! you’re the reason i got out and made my first shelter with heated floors on my channel!

[@kimberlyb5512]

So peaceful. Thank you 🙌

[@anuarmaa4090]

I addicted to watch your videos ❤️ thank you for making my free time not bored bro

[@clongphee]

Great video. Always great for learning, and perfect to relax to. It's like bushcraft ASMR videos.

[@SorinNyx]

it is 1:23 AM in Bucharest, Romania, the perfect time to watch a very relaxing video. Keep goin' Kusk, you have a beautiful channel, I love your videos.

[@alexandrudaniel8068]

I'm from Galati, Romania, and doing the same exact thing late at night :D Cheers, brother!

[@kanethompson708]

👍

[@Nightbot3629z]

Worlth every second to watching. Really satisfied

[@abaddon2479]

Dude 122k subs, you just did your 100k sub video. Crazy how fast you’re channels growing. Very relaxing video. Keep up the good work.

[@impermanent-being]

So peaceful... thank you for sharing the serene experience

[@AlbertDolmans]

I enjoyed that , thank you !

[@wizz4392]

So nice,it makes me relax just watching this video.

[@fromrussiawithlove4980]

You are great no doubt skillful handy i enjoyed this video so much thanks

[@eerttree5340]

Your hiking is minimal camping I think. So much impressive and thank you for sharing beautiful picture

[@mariaotero5601]

Awesome 👍!

[@TBMTheBossMan]

Another beautiful video

[@c.abarker9915]

Awesome video Ryley! I look forward to your next one!

[@SurvivorMetalMan]

Excellent camp! Beautiful location! Looked like an awesome time!

[@NatureBound]

First time I seen anyone do the pot hanger like that. I can see some pros and cons with it, but clever and original. Thanks for bringing us along :) Cheers Eric

[@straightflush7657]

Check out some of joe robinet's videos. He has used this technique a few times. Very simple and effective

[@lanecountybigfooters5716]

That looks absolutely perfect.

[@russellrlf]

Man. Breakfast looked fantastic.

[@yangyang226]

I really envy this life , ordinary freedom .

[@wrobelx]

Dude, I've seen a few of your videos and man, I've already learned some new tricks for myself to use, I'm only 15 so I hope that I will be able to camp out in some snow-covered forest because I love winter, honestly my favorite time of the year. next time I go camping ( hopefully this winter) I will put what i learned into use. Thanks for making these videos man, I love to see a good video like this from time to time! :D

[@ulnoohiker8983]

Awesome video, thank you for sharing your experiences.

[@kredek000]

Fantastic. I love it. Very inspiring. Best regards from Germany.

[@scotchrocksred]

i just discovered this channel less than 3 weeks ago and started to watch as many videos as much as possible. love everything about it. happy trails...

[@VENXadv]

So good

[@lele9exl]

Your editing skills are remarkable! The way you cut the video really captures the feeling of being in the quiet wilderness, love it!

[@ManBeGamin]

I love watching bush camping because i love seeing new was i could camp with out tents and i’ve seen a lot of channels that do it , but you sir seem to take the cake of best ones, im not sure why but your videos are awesome and i hope to try out one of your shelters during the summer

[@german97]

Thank you for coming back

[@yiqingtang1324]

So cool!

[@TonyWalters-jb7qw]

Looks like a wild adventure! Love the creativity in setting up the tarp shelter and pot hanger. Would have been interesting to see more about the bushcraft and carving. Keep exploring and sharing your awesome outdoor skills!

[@kleranz9406]

back at it again

[@ekoboodiyanto2015]

Yeay new video.. i like it

[@PocketKnivesBlog]

Love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@deepforest9170]

I’m very impressed that you are able to do what Many humans can not , the world would be a different place if we could all live and learn to live life this way , if I only had your courage but I will continue to try to learn the most I can from people like you . Thank you .

[@chictravel1156]

World's most eco-friendly bush crafting I've never seen before

[@adrianbulos6233]

Good video amigo thank you for sharing 😎😎

[@stiches5803]

Great stuff as always thx for providing. Have a great Saturday.

[@elijah2078]

I love these video's and find them so relaxing!!!!

[@nathangoodfellow5260]

Smartest man alive !! For once someone besides me who’s 1st priority is to build a nice warming fire then a shelter in the winter. You won’t hear this guy complain once about cold hands or face while he builds his home because he uses his head . Shelter built lets have a nice cup of hot core warming water ,Nice set my friend, I like it , skål !

[@archaicbushcraft]

Beautiful video my friend

[@forestwarrior4542]

Nice video, super like 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@tinatomaszewski6473]

Looks like heaven . . .

[@user-cy4fh6uv3r]

Как обычно все Супер ! Просто , без пафоса, приятно смотреть!!! Спасибо вам !!!!!

[@kriscoty1]

I watch a lot of Bushcrafters here in Seattle, in me wee little boat, but you have great talent. Thank you for the production of your little adventure.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thank you for watching!

[@PocketKnivesBlog]

Love it!!!

[@BBQDad463]

Thanks for a very nice video. Well-done, and I loved the pot-hanger. Again, thanks!☺

[@richard_n]

Loved the Q&A section you included this time. It answered all my questions, great job.

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thank you! I will be sure to continue with the detailed video descriptions and FAQ. Take care!

[@HanHongOutdoors]

getting greater and greater. proud of you

[@mariaotero5601]

Great meal indeed!

[@bakupcpu]

Amazing video love it! Thanks for sharing cheers!!

[@rashedalshehhi6817]

Loved it so much ..👍

[@didiergalik4326]

just , awesome

[@PetePPA]

Hi Ryley, Sounds! you really have them mastered from the sound of your tarp to the crackle of the fire, these and the visuals make for really consistently great vids. I really do look forward to the next instalments. ATB Pete UK (love the pot hanger 2)

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thanks so much, Pete! I can't wait to upgrade my filming and audio equipment so I can really start to improve the quality of my videos. Thanks again and take care!

[@pestbosslimited2536]

Great set-up, love the traditional camping, ATB, Dean.

[@PocketKnivesBlog]

Good stuff! Thanks! Wish it were longer!!!

[@anders1685]

I really enjoyed this video Thank You

[@peregrinatio8942]

Awesome

[@marshalcates]

Another winner dude

[@naseanferguson8715]

Love the videos

[@peterlender1287]

super video, and spoon :) very thank you. Peter

[@grante886]

Cool 👍🏻

[@getgood5814]

Loved the pot holder. You know what else I love...TEA! I could sure use some tea right now, and maybe a "saltine"! You're so great to watch, and learn from, keep it up Ryley. LAL

[@KuskBushcraft]

Thank you so much, AL! The tea is sure nice in this cold weather we've been getting. Take care!

[@markcummings6856]

Great video.

[@generalpattonsbushcraft]

real nice scenery! love your videos. nice plow point tarp set up

[@andyanaoutdoors2487]

Like food for my sole! Great work.

[@yiqingtang1324]

What a nice skill!

[@adamb7426]

Wool👍