Ryan Jordan
Latest
Lightweight Mealtime Routines for Group Cooking
Simplifying the process of planning, preparing, and cooking for groups in the wild.
Packrafting the Smith River Canyon
Eight packrafters spend four days floating sixty miles in one of Montana's most remote and inaccessible river canyons.
Gear Guide: Ultralight Inflatable Pillows
Neck problems? Back problems? An ultralight inflatable pillow may be an ideal solution, but don't dive in head first. Read this first to see which ultralight pillows are the best.
Flash Reviews No. 1
Introductory reviews of ZPacks Challenger Rain Jacket & Pants, JepPak Custom Pack, and the Zebralight H52Fw Floody Headlamp (Neutral White).
Expedition Blogging, Part 1: A Satellite Phone-Based System
A series of articles evaluating platforms for social media, photo blogging, and two-way email communications.
Trekking the High Uintas Wilderness: Circumnavigation of the Rock Creek Shelf
Featuring the author's live journals as well as a detailed assessment of trekking gear used on the trip.
Martin Titanium Knife
Weighing about the equivalent of half an ounce (16 M&M's) this knife has a 2.75 inch blade that easily guts fish and small game. Better yet it self-sharpens.
Where the Mountains Meet the Sea: Trekking the Olympic Range (Photo Essay)
Boy Scouts tackle the Olympic range - from rainforest to snowy divide - in lightweight style.
Gear Guide: Packrafts
Review the current offerings in the packraft market and find out which boats are most appropriate for a variety of purposes including alpine lake fishing, incidental river crossings, flatwater boating, expedition packrafting, and whitewater paddling.
Jetboil Joule Review – Part 1, Overview
The Jetboil Joule is a high-volume cooking system that performs very well in ambient conditions; however more testing in cold conditions is needed to asses its overall performance.
Unseen Africa: Francis Tapon’s Four Year Journey Circumnavigating Africa
Taking an ultralight mindset to Africa requires an adjustment, but the lessons learned and the experiences had in Africa are rarely matched.
Rambling the High Sierra
There are so many ways to navigate through the Sierras - why not try them all?
Mountain Laurel Designs eVENT Soul Bivy Review
While not commonly found in most hiker's packs, the lightweight and superior construction of this bivy offers good value for a bivy that occupies a narrow market niche occupied by very few products.
Gränsfors-Bruks Mini Hatchet Review
While not a part of the traditional lightweight backpacker's gear list, a hatchet is a great piece of gear that can bring a unique perspective to fire building and shelter making.
Stephenson 2C Tent Review – Part 2
A performance review of the Stephenson 2C - the smallest and lightest "climber's" version from the ultralight line of tents from the Stephenson family of New Hampshire.
Learning to Packraft: Ten First Steps for Backcountry Travelers
This article identifies the first steps on a path to packrafting competence for those specifically interested in actually carrying their raft on their back into remote environments!
Overboots as Mukluks: Basecamp Footwear for Ski Mountaineers
Hardshell double boots, common amongst ski mountaineers using modern alpine touring or telemark equipment, make for miserable discomfort during extended stays in camp. Adding a pair of thin neoprene overboots at less than a pound allows one to kick off the plastics and enjoy basecamp slippers while keeping feet warm and dry in the coldest weather.
AT Nordic Ski Systems: Discovering the Best of Backcountry Nordic and Alpine Touring Systems Through Hybridization
Combining the best of both worlds, AT Nordic ski systems give you comfort, stability, and lightweight as you explore the backcountry.
Winter Cabineering – Part 2
Winter Cabineering not only makes your sleep more enjoyable, but you can save pack weight as well. It's a creative and unique way to winter camp.
Winter Cabineering – Part 1: Video Essay
Winter Cabineering is a great way to spend time outdoors and still be warm. Don't worry, the cabins should be plenty rustic so you can still get away from it all.
