Founder and publisher of backpackinglight.com since November 2000. My home is (currently!) Estes Park, Colorado, and my backyard trails are in the Rockies of Southeast Wyoming and Northern Colorado. I like packrafting, tenkara fly fishing, alpine climbing, and have a particular passion for traveling long distances off-trail without resupply. I'm online elsewhere at ryanjordan.com and Instagram.
Free Handbook
Get ultralight backpacking skills, gear info, philosophy, news, and more.
Join Our Community
Become a Backpacking Light Member
Forum Access
Unrestricted access to all forums, plus the ability to post and start new threads.
Premium Content
Unrestricted access to all 2,300+ articles, gear reviews, skills, stories, and more.
Community Posts
Post new content to the community including gear swaps, reviews, trip reports and more!
Online Education
Get unlimited access to all our online education (*Unlimited membership required).
This feature requires an active Backpacking Light Membership.
Premium Articles
You're currently viewing a free preview of a member exclusive premium article. Our premium articles include in depth journalism and insights from the Backpacking Light editorial team.
Get full article access by subscribing to a Premium or Unlimited Backpacking Light membership!