Ryan Jordan
Latest
Canovaccio: Natural, Sustainable Pack Fabrics
New developments in durable and water-resistant backpack fabrics.
Backpacking Light 101: The Art of Ultralight
A Lightweight Primer to Backcountry Travel for the Uninitiated.
Hand Sanitizers: My Journey Towards Discovering Best Practices for Wilderness Hygiene
Facilitating the transportation of fecal hitchhikers from your exhaust pipe orifice to your fuel filler neck orifice is one of the biggest backcountry threats. Stop these illegal immigrants en route, because we all know you can't close the border!
Monatauk Gnat Stove Review
A big burner head, simple design, minimal use of materials, and light weight (1.7 oz) put the Monatauk Gnat at the head of the pack for ultralight canister stoves.
Pak-Rifle Review
My expectation for a small game rifle is to be able to shoot a very small and compact group on a target at 25 yards or less, and the Pak-Rifle makes my heart beat faster.
Olympus E-P1 Camera Review
Sure, it's lighter than its DSLR brethren, but it's also heavier and bulkier than its compact cousins. Does it offer improvements to justify carrying the additional weight and bulk?
24: Nine Months ’til Summer
Episode 3: The first big snowfall of the season (in September!) had us traversing the Hyalite-Cottonwood divide for snow hiking and camping.
24: Garnet Mountain Forest Service Lookout, Montana
Episode 2: we focused on fast food preparation and the elimination of a whole lotta gear by hiking into a U.S. Forest Service lookout cabin.
24: Fall Equinox in the Hyalite Cirque of Montana’s Gallatin Mountains
You have 24 hours to quickly engage in a Wild Place with minimal disruption to your job or your family. Where will YOU go?
All the Gear a Guy Could Want
I like gear. I collect gear with an almost rabid enthusiasm, and I almost always have a place to put it.
Photo Essay: A Traverse of the Bob Marshall Wilderness by Foot and Packraft
We entered at Benchmark (on the South Fork Sun), exited at Silvertip (on the Spotted Bear), and had the time of our lives over a few relaxing days while making long miles in a packraft on the South Fork.
Alpacka Ultralight Paddle Review
A packrafting paddle is not a particularly special thing. It’s simply a kayak paddle, capable of being broken down into two or four pieces for easy stowage while inside or attached to a pack.
GoPro Wide Helmet Cam Review
Practical application review on using the helmet cam in the backcountry... essentially, how does it do?
Backcountry Fly Fishing with Tenkara: Ultralight Style and Simplicity
The literal translation of the Japanese word 'Tenkara' is 'from Heaven.' Fitting for a lightweight fly rod characterized by elegance, grace, and simplicity.
Two in One Boat: A Photo and Video Essay from Montana’s Jefferson River
Father and son float trip in the lowlands. Experience Ryan Jordan's wild ride through skeeters and heat exhaustion, including running low on key supplies. Or... not.
Two in One Boat: Sharing a Packraft on a River Trip
With 40 lbs from skin out for both father and son, would our contingency plan of "snuggling for warmth" come into play?
Photo Essay: Packrafting the Madison River
Stretches of the Madison River can be described as a "booze cruise," where innertube flotillas of relaxing college students and drift boats of fly-fishers fill the river. The Bear Trap canyon isn't one of those stretches, especially during spring snowmelt.
ZPacks Blast 18 Backpack Review
At less than four ounces and roomy enough for a weekend of SUL gear (30L), the ZPacks Blast 18 certainly qualifies as "SUL" by the standard set several years ago by the Gossamer Gear G6, but is far more durable (yet has a similar weight as the first G6).
Garmin Oregon 550t Promises Hi-Res Topo Mapping Display, Touchscreen, and Integrated 3.2MP Camera
While GPS units are getting bigger and heavier, at least they are also becoming more functional. The Garmin Oregon 550t integrates 100k topo maps, a hi-res display, and a 3.2MP digital camera.
Spring Footwear: Lightweight Overboot & High Gaiter Systems for Keeping Feet Warm & Dry
Foremost among the challenges that spring hikers face is the presence of melting snow and the prospect of continuously wet feet. Ryan Jordan presents his two favorite footwear systems for cold or warm spring conditions.
