take less. do more.

Glen Van Peski

The Godfather of ultralight backpacking

LATEST BOOK

TAKE LESS. DO MORE.

Glen’s new book translates his numerous and varied adventure stories into day-to-day wisdom, offering incredible insight amid heart-thumping expedition tales, and providing practical tips and advice, not just for those wanting to lower their pack weight for their wilderness or overseas adventures, but also for those wanting to move more lightly through life.

Welcome

Hello, I’m Glen Van Peski, and I’m glad you landed here. I’ve worked hard over the last forty years to move towards humility, generosity, service and gratitude, a little bit every week. Along the way, I’ve had a varied career in civil engineering and ended up accidentally founding a backpacking gear company, Gossamer Gear. As an engineer, I’m always looking for better ways to do things. I’ve figured out a few things over the years, in ultralight backpacking, and life in general, that people have found helpful. I’m a lifelong learner and eternally curious, so I invite you to hike alongside for a while and chat about what matters.

Glens gear list

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  • Multi Day Hikes
  • Day Hikes
  • Solo Adventurer

In Their Words

In Their Words

  • Reno Gazette Journal

    A Reno Gazette reporter tags along on a trip, and is intrigued by a prison toothbrush.


  • Liberty Through Wealth

    A conversation walking along a dusty road in Tuscany gives renowned investment advisor Alexander Green a different way to think about retirement.


  • NY Times

    The New York Times looks at ultralight backpacking.


Entrepreneur/engineer, Author/Speaker, Philanthropist/Dishwasher

Glen Van Peski

“Work hard and be nice.”–Michael Frant

Glen Van Peski is known by the trail name “Legend” for his legendary contributions to the backpacking community. A native Californian, Van Peski grew up in the western outdoors, and when his oldest son joined Scouts, he led the Troop’s backpacking program. Through those experiences, he became intrigued by lightweight backpacking. He started sewing his own gear and eventually started his own company, manufacturing ultralight backpacking equipment. Glen and his company have been featured in Backpacker, Outside, and National Geographic Adventure magazines, and the New York Times.

Van Peski is an internationally sought-after speaker known for his inspiring, humorous, information-packed presentations. He has hiked most of the Pacific Crest Trail, has wandered the backcountry in Japan and Europe, and bike packed on the Great Divide. He lives in Bend, Oregon with Francie, his wife of over forty years, and is the father to two grown sons.



I’m a husband, father, Christian and tinkerer.

“Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away.”

– Antoine de Saint Exupéry

take less. do more…

Resources

Latest

Events

Here’s where you can catch Glen, in person or online, and hear some great stories, and get some tips for lightening your load!

  • October 15, 2024

    Join Glen at the Bend REI, this time to talk about Adventure Travel, like travel overseas where you may be walking or biking from town to town or from hut to hut. Glen will be joined by SPECIAL GUEST Francie “PIC” Van Peski to talk about adventure travel hacks from a woman’s perspective.

    Registration required.

    READ MORE →


  • January 11, 2025

    Wander over to the iconic Village Books in downtown Fairhaven, WA for an afternoon with Glen. He’ll be talking about the lessons he’s learned from a half-century of reducing his pack weight, and is looking forward to answering your questions and signing books. Preregistration is required, and you can buy the book as part of registering. He’ll have his backpack, if you’re curious what a 5-pound base pack weight looks like. And if that weren’t enough, there will be a raffle of some cool stuff! There’s plenty of capacity, so let’s pack the place!

    READ MORE →


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Pain and Growth
Fear | Growth | Leadership

Pain and Growth

My habit in the mornings is to spend time reading my bible and some additional devotionals, meditating and praying.  And usually practicing Italian and French, although I’m currently in a slacker season on that particular item.  One…

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