Event Details

Trail Days Online 2024 Registration is now open!

Go to the 2024 event page!

trail days online

What is BPL Trail Days Online?

Backpacking Light Trail Days Online! is a live, online user conference featuring backcountry experts and enthusiasts presenting on the topics of outdoor gear materials, design, and engineering; backcountry skills trends and experiments; make your own gear techniques and projects; backcountry routes, trips, and trails; outdoor industry trends related to hiking, backpacking, and other backcountry activities; and more.

Trail Days Online ’23 featured 13 presentations from 13 speakers, with each presentation ranging from 20 to 30 minutes in length, followed by up to 10 minutes of live audience Q&A.

Recorded Event

Your ticket includes lifetime access to recorded versions of all presentations!

When?

This was a three-day event spanning the evenings of February 23-25, 2023:

  • Day 1: February 23, 2023 @ 6-9 PM US Mountain Time.
  • Day 2: February 24, 2023 @ 6-9 PM US Mountain Time.
  • Day 3: February 25, 2023 @ 6-9 PM US Mountain Time.

Feedback from the Live Event

From our end-of-day-3 chat transcript! Thanks everyone!

chat

Benefactor

cdtc logoPartial proceeds from ticket sales to this event will be donated to the Continental Divide Trail Coalition, a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization building a strong community of CDT volunteers, enthusiasts, and supporters who want to see the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) completed and protected.

Ticket Info

Backpacking Light Members:

Tickets are FREE for all Backpacking Light Members (Basic, Premium, and Unlimited). Become a Member today and get free access to Trail Days Online live streams and recordings.

If you are a Backpacking Light Member, you’ll see the GREEN “Access Event Content” button on this page when you are logged in with your Membership account – just click it to access the detailed program, live stream feeds, and recordings.

Non-Members:

$14 provides access to all Trail Days Online live streams and recordings. Get your ticket by clicking one of the Orange “Enroll” Buttons on this page.

How do I access the events after I purchase my ticket/enroll?

You’ll receive an email with the link to the event live stream/recordings. Or, you can access the event through the Account > My Education menu after you log in with your backpackinglight.com user account.

Is there a deadline to purchase tickets?

No – tickets may be purchased prior to, during, or after the event. If you miss any of the sessions, you can always go back and watch the recordings.

However, there is a cap on live event tickets so we can preserve a high-quality live-streaming experience for our ticket holders. When that cap is reached, ticket sales will be closed until the entire recorded event is made available on February 27.

Sponsors

The following companies are event sponsors, who help promote the event and donate raffle prizes. Backpacking Light does not charge a monetary fee for event sponsorship.

cdtc logo

backcountry foodie logo

backpackers pantry logo

farpointe logo

forty below logo

kammok logo

timmermade logo

zpacks logo

How do I become a Trail Days Sponsor?

Sponsorship opportunities are now closed for this event.


Event Program

Module 1

BPL Trail Days ’23 – Day 1

  • Introduction and Welcome, by Ryan Jordan (15 min)
  • Lightening the Load, by Glen Van Peski (40 min)
  • How to Thrive When You’re Miserable, by Willow Belden (25 min)
  • The Rise of Cottage Brands, by Lloyd Vogel (35 min)
  • Day 1 Raffle! (10 min)
Module 2

BPL Trail Days ’23 – Day 2

  • Lessons Learned on the Pacific Northwest Trail, by Anna Swarts (35 min)
  • State of the Continental Divide Trail, with Teresa Martinez and Ryan Jordan (20 min)
  • Building the Backpacking Athlete, by John Zombro (40 min)
  • Introduction to Tent Design, by Henry Shires (30 min)
  • Hiking the Desert: How to be Safe and Have Fun, by Drew Smith (40 min)
  • Day 2 Raffle! (10 min)
Module 3

BPL Trail Days ’23 – Day 3

  • If the Shoe Fits: How to Select and Assess the Integrity of Hiking Footwear, by Nikki Stavile (30 min)
  • How to Efficiently Plan an Adventure (or Thru-Hike), by Jeff Garmire (35 min)
  • Dyneema Composite Fabrics Construction Techniques, by Dan Durston (30 min)
  • Cook Safer Inside Tents, by Rex Sanders (30 min)
  • How Much Do We Really Disturb the Ecosystem When We Recreate? by Ryan Jordan (35 min)
  • Day 3 Raffle! (10 min)