Ryan Jordan's Backcountry: Wilderness Trekking School Featured in Billings Gazette

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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.

Backpacking Light's Wilderness Trekking III Course was featured in the Billings Gazette last week in a story by Brett French, "Wilderness trek turns the Beartooths into a classroom".

Brett noted that "in keeping with [an] ultralight ethos, everyone was carrying less than 25 pounds of gear." That figure would actually include food, water, avalanche gear, group gear, snowshoes, and all clothing worn and items carried. Our pack weights to start actually averaged in the 12-14ish pound range.

If I had to sing praise for the most merit-worthy benefits of this course, it was the cross pollination of experience, the joy of camaraderie in the face of wilderness stress, and the satisfaction of having achieved something meaningful as part of a group.

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.