There we were, about 9,000 feet in elevation, with little visibility. Heck, we just shook hands for the first time a couple of days before. Yet there we were, Jason Marsteiner and I, atop this majestic mountain with Stryker the survival dog. We were waiting for Dustin (Wazoo Gear) and Jason Salyer (ON THREE) to get the rope rigged for their 100-foot descent. Then, the clouds slowly faded and reminded us where we were!
Months after our trip, I caught up with Jason Marsteiner for some Q&A
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What’s The Survival University all about?
At The Survival University, everything we do is hands-on and grounded in real skills. We teach both modern and primitive methods of survival, from fire and shelter to navigation, medicine, and self-reliance. We’ve built one of the largest and most diverse instructor teams in the country. We have experts from all backgrounds who come together on our land each summer.
But The Survival University is more than just teaching the skills. We teach people how to become human again and live with the land, not just on it. It’s not about gear or toughness. It’s about mindset, adaptability, and rediscovering the skills that once kept our ancestors alive.
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The Chapman Ranch is a slice of history, I’ve seen it first-hand.
That land holds stories in the dirt. A small town used to stand there over 120 years ago. But long before that, it was a place where indigenous people lived and passed through. You can still find traces of both if you take the time to look. If you sit still and quiet long enough, you can feel their spirits and hear their whispers in the trees.
The Chapman Ranch is raw and real, a reminder of what came before us. Not to mention how deeply connected we once were to the land. That’s Survival University!
What are your favorite Survival movies?
If I had to pick one, it would be Jeremiah Johnson. It’s honest about solitude, hardship, and what it really means to live by your own hands. My second pick would be Cast Away, because it shows how much of survival happens in your head. It’s not about comfort or control. It’s about the will to keep going when everything falls apart.
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When were you lost the first time?
The first time I got lost, I was a kid in the mountains near Cripple Creek. I definitely panicked at first, but then I sat down and forced myself to think. Then, I used the sun to figure out direction and started reading the land around me. I noticed the terrain, the trees, and the way the light hit the ridges. I used that to decide which way to go. Eventually, I made it back to a place I recognized, dirty and tired. And with a whole lot moreawarenesse of how powerful calm thinking can be when things go wrong.
Jason Marsteiner: His most miserable camping trip.
I thought I was being smart by rigging a tarp up like a canopy over my cheap tent. Then it started to snow. I figured it would keep the tent dry, and it worked fine until the middle of the night. That’s when the tarp filled with nearly 2 feet of snow, and my lousy knots gave out. Everything came crashing down, collapsing the tent on top of me. I had to dig my way out in the dark, soaked and freezing. I packed up and headed home in the morning with a hard-earned lesson about doing things right the first time.
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What is your favorite class to teach?
Our 5 Day Outdoor Survival Basics class is my favorite because it brings together everyone from beginners to experienced adventurers. Every single person walks away learning something new. I especially enjoy fire day, because most people don’t realize how little real experience they have with it. Anyone can start a fire in perfect conditions. I like to throw in curveballs that test their skills and mindsets. It’s fun watching people problem-solve. Now and then, someone tears up with pure joy after getting their first fire going. Moments like that never get old.
You have quite a cadre of guest instructors at the Survival University.
Yeah, I’m lucky to have the team I do. They’re real humans who live what they teach, not TV personalities or social media influencers. We have instructors from all over the country who come in to teach. All bring a mix of wilderness medicine, plant knowledge, tactical skills, and primitive living. It’s a melting pot of experience and perspective that makes every course stronger.
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We also weave mindfulness and awareness training into everything we do. It’s not just about skills, it’s about how you approach each challenge. We all learn from each other, and that keeps us grounded, sharp, and humble.
Jason Marsteiner on his Tool Set.
I could make it with just one knife, but I’m not out here trying to impress anybody. I like to work smarter, not harder, so I go with a tool set to make life easier. Everything out there is already hard enough without trying to prove a point. I usually carry my 5-inch blade for fine work, a saw for efficiency, and a larger chopper for heavy tasks. That combination covers just about everything I need to do without wasting energy.
What do you love about teaching wilderness skills?
Watching people light up when they realize they can do it is what keeps me going. That spark when someone makes their first fire, builds their first shelter, or finds food from the land. You can see confidence replace fear right in front of you.
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Now and then, I get a call or an email from someone who says they were on an adventure and something went wrong. But what they learned in class got them through it. Hearing that they might not be here today if they hadn’t taken the training hits deep. It reminds me why I do what I do, and the impact of Survival University.
What’s Jason Marsteiner’s go-to meal after a class or long trek?
I want a big, fat cheeseburger. The juicier the better, stacked high with bacon, cheese, grilled onions, and everything they’ve got in the kitchen. That’s the kind of meal that reminds you you’re back in civilization and you’ve earned every single bite!
Thanks for being a part of this, Jason. I hope to see you and Stryker again in Cripple Creek!
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Contact:
The Survival University
@jason_thesurvivaluniversity
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