Ryan Jordan's Backcountry: Wilderness Trekking School

My Favorite Lightweight Gear

Cocoon Pant
No other piece in the Cocoon line has added to my cold weather comfort more than the "puffy pants" (don't repeat that phrase in a Montana tavern). Insulated pants are essential if you are going to lighten your sleep system, especially if you're quiltin' it.
TorsoLite Pad
I originally designed this pad for folks that were less hardcore than me - I've always been a foamie. But, man, the more I use this, the more difficulty I have in removing it from my pack. Yeah, it's totally worth the weight for a great night's sleep!
Alpacka Packrafts
Packrafts have revolutionized how I look at wilderness expeditions, and they give me an alternative and intense day hobby. Something about running an irrigation ditch or a city creek that is as appealing as steep-creeking. It's all super fun in an Alpacka.
FireLite Mini Firestarting Kit
I've carried this kit on every day and overnight hike for the past three years. Absolute reliability. Add an Esbit cube and you have a true four-season kit.
BubblePAKIT
No-brainer protection that I use primarily for two things: (1) to carry an expensive compact digicam (Ricoh GRD), and (2) to carry my cell phone, wallet, and car key on packrafting trips.
Bushbuddy Ultra Wood Stove
Practical, compact, fuel efficient, and terribly fun to fire up and use, especially on the trail for midday tea.
Fenix L0D Flashlight
A sub-one ounce single LED light @ 30 lumens. Don't run it full juice or it only lasts for an hour. Peak it up there here and there, and then run @ 12 lumens (4.5 hr) or even 4.5 lumens (8.5 hr) to give more than enough light for trail hiking and task lighting. The power here makes the +1 AAA extra battery no big deal.

Photo Albums

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Wilderness Trekking School

We're just back from Wilderness Trekking III, the advanced course in Backpacking Light's newly-launched Wilderness Trekking School.

Recipe: take 8 solo experts, add a bunch of snow, plop them in an unfamiliar locale, take away their maps, and force them into groupthink. Mix well. Let the wilderness spit them out where it needs to.

We traveled light, saw some amazing scenery, and applied ultralight techniques to mountain winter travel.

More, much more, about this program: coming soon to BPL. And stay tuned for more photos.

October 17, 2007 in Techniques | Permalink

Comments

Ryan -

I look forward to reading and seeing more photos. Although I quite enjoyed my time off work for my PNT thru hike this summer I certainly wish I could have made the BPL Wilderness Trek happen as well.

- Sam

Posted by: samh | October 19, 2007 at 11:56 AM

Ryan,
Was wondering about your stoves on the Wilderness Trek III course. Are they from Titanium Goat or custom made for you? Ti goat doesn't show the bottom plate in their kit. What are the specs. on the kit? Look forward to hearing more on the podcasts about the class.
Thanks
Pat

Posted by: Pat | December 20, 2007 at 06:17 AM

What is Ryan Jordan's Backcountry?

BACKPACKING LIGHT MUSE: trends, bends, and mends focusing on the application of the "Backpacking Light" philosophy of simple backcountry living to practices in the wilderness - and beyond. Written by Backpacking Light Magazine co-founder and publisher Ryan Jordan.