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.

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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.

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Glens gear list

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  • Multi Day Hikes
  • Day Hikes
  • Solo Adventurer
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In Their Words

I have learned more about ultralight backpacking and an overall minimalist approach to travel from Glen than anyone else.  It is with good reason that a few of his regular hiking buddies, including myself, gave Glen the trail name “The Legend”.  We all hold his knowledge and skills in awe!  I never go on a hike with Glen without learning something I didn’t know before.  His humility, integrity, and service and care for others are all extraordinary and I am proud to call him my friend
John Mackey
CEO Love Life!, Co-Founder Whole Foods Market
There is much you can gain from Glen Van Peski, if you are fortunate enough to have access to the man or have found your way to this website. Glen is knowledgeable and experienced, yet eternally curious and searching. His ultralight mantra has taught me, practically speaking, about backpacks and hiking, but more importantly has taught me metaphorically about philosophy and life. You simply don’t need all that shit
Ali Selim
Director of Marvel’s SECRET INVASION
We professional explorers simply refer to Glen as “The Legend”. Arguably, there is no one on the planet better at designing ultralight equipment and leading light-weight expeditions.
Dan Buettner
National Geographic Explorer and #1 New York Times Bestselling author/Founder of the Blue Zones
Glen epitomizes what it means to “leave it better than you found it”. He does this in every aspect of his life and is someone with whom I aspire to be like. In a world where we often don’t see nor hear enough about kindness & decency, Glen personifies this and is someone who people of all ages and backgrounds can learn from. I am privileged to be able to call him my friend.
Matt Abrams
The Abrams Group, Advisor, Investor, Co-Founder, Board Member
If Glen Van Peski is talking about hiking … or business … or life, I’m a listener. Some call him a legend – some call him “The Legend” – but I call him an all-around great guy and one of the most insightful people I’ve ever known. His combination of knowledge and experience make him an expert guide on the most challenging trail of all: Life
Alexander Green
New York Times Bestselling Author, Chief Investment Strategist of The Oxford Group
I’ve known Glen since the dawn of the modern-day ultralight backpacking movement, and he’s one of my most trusted friends and colleagues. His generosity and thoughtfulness has had a profound impact on my personal and professional life.
Ryan Jordan
Founder, Backpacking Light
Not only is Glen an inspirational and trusted thought leader in the ultralight community, but he’s also an inventor and generous community-centric mentor across multiple disciplines. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from one of the most innovative experts in the business.
Jules Lambries
EOS Implementer, CPG Expert, Board Member, Leadership Retreat Facilitator
As a backpacker, I mark my years as “BG” and “AG.” Before Glen, I thought a boyhood in the woods and a career filming hikes on every continent had given me decent enough skills, but then came one epic trip with this thru-hiking legend and After Glen, I have a whole new appreciation for gear and trail selection and the wisdom of his slogan, “take less. do more.
Bill Weir
CNN Correspondent and Host of The Wonder List with Bill Weir
The best way to see the world isn’t with a private jet or a chauffeured limousine, but with a backpack. And Glen Van Peski pioneered ultralight backpacking, so every time I backpack I am grateful to his genius for the pounds I’m not carrying!
Nicholas Kristof
Pulitzer Prize Winning Journalist

In Their Words

  • Francis Tapon

    World explorer Francis Tapon interviews Glen on his WanderLearn podcast, while hiking. Among other interesting facts, you can learn some metric conversion tricks.

  • 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.

  • Mountainsmith

    It had always been a dream of Glen’s to head into the backcountry for a 3-day trip with only a lumbar pack. A chance meeting at Outdoor Retailer in the Mountainsmith booth put the wheels in motion for just such a trip.

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Entrepreneur/engineer, Author/Speaker, Philanthropist/Dishwasher

Glen Van Peski

“Work hard and be nice.”–Michael Frant

I am a husband to my smokin’ hot wife of 40+ years, Francie, and father to two amazing men Brian and Grant, our middle son Derek having been born severely handicapped and died before he reached 20. We live in Bend, Oregon, which is pretty much outdoor wonderland, when we’re not exploring the United States and abroad. I am an engineer, though retired from doing much actual civil engineering since 2017. An entrepreneur since an early age, I am an inveterate tinkerer and maker. I am an outside adventurer–not to the extent of my many more accomplished friends, but I’ve done some serious trips. We have been blessed with more than we need, and being generous is important to us, in both traditional and non-traditional ways.

I’m intrigued by leadership, business and personal growth. I’m curious about homelessness, addiction and obesity. I’m pretty serious about roasting coffee and baking sourdough. I’m very serious about backpacking with the lightest pack I can figure out.


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

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“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

Tips & Advice

Videos

Gear Lists

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!

  • August 23, 2023

    Women Who Explore

    In “How to Go Lighter”, Glen Van Peski, Founder/Managing Director of Gossamer Gear, will build on the (un)critically acclaimed “Lighten Up! DVD (watch before the seminar here) Packed with thrills and drama, this professionally-produced DVD chronicles an ultralight makeover that reduces an experienced backpacker’s base weight by 75% before your very eyes. 

    Building on the 33-minute film, Glen will give a short review of the main concepts of lightening your load, review potential weight savings in “The Big Three”, discuss weights of food and water and demonstrate his personal gear as questions come up. 

    At the end of the presentation, attendees will be given a link to website resources mentioned in the talk (so you don’t have to try and write them down) and a copy of Glen’s personal gear list (base pack weight of under 5 lbs). 

    The session will end with a question and answer period and raffle of cool ultralight door prizes. To get in on the action, sign up here.

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  • March 25, 2023

    Cascade Ruck 2023

    Join us for the 2023 Cascade Ruck – an event ideal for hikers of all skill levels: aspiring long-distance hikers and long-time enthusiasts.

    Tickets:
    ALDHA-West Cascade Ruck 2023
    Price: $38.00
    Get your ticket:
    https://www.aldhawest.org/events/cascade-ruck-2023

    READ MORE →
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Latest

Blog

Beer Sunday
Connections | Travel

Beer Sunday

ByGlen Van Peski

We were in Ossiach, Austria, getting ready to leave for another day of hiking the Alpe Adria Trail.  We were staying at the CMA Carinthian Music Academy, housed in an ancient monastery.  I forget the particulars, if…

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