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Backpacking Light

Pack less. Be more.

You are here: Home / Archives for Ben Kilbourne

About Ben Kilbourne

Ben Kilbourne has been backpacking since his days in the womb. Once born, his explorations have taken him all over the west, but especially the canyon country of the Colorado Plateau. The geography of the west has become familiar to him. He has developed a rudimentary understanding of its geology, and an awareness of the subtle changes in flora and fauna due to soil, elevation, aspect, and precipitation and how these elemental things interact with both ancient and modern humans. His experiences on the land, whether triumphant or thwarted by events either in or out of his control, have provided the foundation for the work he does. Find Ben’s essays, trip reports, gear reviews, paintings, songs, and other work here: www.benkilbourne.com.

Author Archive

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The Overlook: Frozen Tracks – Monument Restoration and the Fate of the Upper Paria

Feb 2, 2021 by Ben Kilbourne

lunch in upper paria canyon

Ben Kilbourne follows tracks in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument as its fate once again hangs in the balance.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, paria canyon, The Overlook

The Overlook: Backpacking in a Time of Uncertainty

Jan 19, 2021 by Ben Kilbourne

animus river

Is backpacking suddenly…hard? Ben Kilbourne understands, and discusses how to deal with it during uncertain times.

Animas River, Ben Kilbourne, Colorado, colorado trail, covid-19, pandemic, quarantine, San Juans, The Overlook, Uinta Highline Trail, Weminuche Wilderness

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The Overlook: Understanding Livestock Grazing in Wilderness Areas

Dec 15, 2020 by Ben Kilbourne

BPL columnist Ben Kilbourne uses a close encounter to examine the practice of livestock grazing on public land.

Ben Kilbourne, blm, cows, grazing, land management, livestock, pasturelands, public lands, rangelands, The Overlook, usfs

The Overlook: Othering in the Outdoors

Nov 13, 2020 by Ben Kilbourne

BPL columnist Ben Kilbourne was on a trail run when he suddenly found himself in a mask-related confrontation. What happened next got him thinking.

2020, coronavirus, covid-19, hiking, masks, salt lake city, The Overlook, trail running, Utah, wasatch mountains

Why I Walk

Sep 15, 2020 by Ben Kilbourne

It’s four-thirty in the afternoon and I’m feeling a sleepiness only caffeine, napping, or walking can fix. English tea time. Spanish siesta. Utah amble.

Backpacking, essay, literature, long-distance, philosophy, stories, tradition, Walking

Can Wilderness Include Humans?

Aug 25, 2020 by Ben Kilbourne

Am I willing to temper my desire for the pristine with an awareness that the pristine is a cultural construct?

Backpacking, conservation, essay, muir, thoreau, Unita, Utah, wilderness

Backpackers Should be Amateur Naturalists

Jun 24, 2020 by Ben Kilbourne

Ben Kilbourne explores the need for backpackers to be amateur naturalists in our effort to steward our natural environment.

climate change, uintas, Utah

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