Ryan Jordan Ryan Jordan Exploring Wild Places in Ultralight Style by Foot, Packraft, and Tenkara.
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Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp

If you are a beginning-to-intermediate backpacker, Ultralight Boot Camp will develop your foundation of gear and skills, and give you the confidence to explore wild places with a pack that weighs less than 10 pounds.

Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp

Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp Course Packages

  • Self-Directed (Non-Mentored) – 6 Weeks. $150.
  • Directed (Mentored) – 6 Weeks. $450. Includes email mentoring with Ryan (enrollment is limited).
  • Directed (Mentored) + Expedition Trek – $1,350. A 9 Week Online Course + 5 Day Trek – includes email mentoring with Ryan, live conferencing, and participation in an expedition with Ryan and one or more other instructors (enrollment is very limited) as part of Backpacking Light’s Wilderness Trekking School.

What You Learn

Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp is a six-week course where you learn:

  • Fundamental Principles and Philosophy of Ultralight Backpacking
  • Ultralight Trekking and Camping Techniques
  • Managing Inclement Weather with Ultralight Gear
  • Ultralight Trekking Case Studies
  • Applying Ultralight Gear and Techniques to Other Activities

40+ curriculum modules and growing!

Click the following bar to expand and view a detailed curriculum.

View the Ultralight Backpacking Boot Camp Curriculum

WEEK 1: Fundamentals

  • Welcome & Introduction
  • Core Principles of Ultralight Philosophy
  • What’s In My Pack?>
  • Light, Lighter, Lightest

WEEK 2: Taking Inventory

  • Creating a Gear List
  • Using the Boot Camp Gear List Spreadsheet Template
  • Gear List Spreadsheet & Printable Templates
  • Sample Gear Lists

WEEK 3: An Overview of Trekking Styles & Gear Systems (Solo vs. Group Travel)

  • Social Dynamics of Solo vs. Group Travel Styles
  • Case Study Comparison of Gear Systems: Solo vs. Group Shelters & Cooking Systems
  • Applicability of Selected Gear Systems in Group vs. Solo Contexts: Efficiency Considerations

WEEK 4: Gear & Techniques

  • Footwear Systems
    • Lightweight Footwear for Backpacking
    • Minimalist Footwear
  • The Backpack & Packing Systems
    • An Introduction to Backpacks and Packing Systems
    • Virtual Frames for Light Packs
    • Light Packs for Heavy Loads (Commentary)
  • Shelter Systems
    • Shelter Comparison Chart & Commentary
    • An Overview of Lightweight Shelters
    • How to Pitch a Tarp
    • Examples of Pitching Configurations for Flat Tarps
    • Advanced Tarp Camping Techniques
    • Techniques and Gear Systems for Inclement Conditions Camping
  • Clothing & Sleep Systems
    • Ultralight Clothing Systems – Parts and Ensembles
    • Ultralight Clothing Systems – Field Notes and Recommendations
    • Decision Matrix for Building Clothing Ensembles for Environmentally Challenging Conditions
    • Unconventional Sleep Systems
    • The Backcountry Bed: Strategies for Ultralight Sleeping Pads and Ground Cloths
  • Cooking Systems
    • Ultralight Cooking Systems – An Overview of System Types, Advantages, and Disadvantages
    • Efficiency Comparison of Lightweight Cooking Systems – Comparison of Fuel Efficiencies and System Weights for Solid Fuel, Alcohol, Gas, and Wood Systems
    • Lightweight Cooking Systems for Solo Hikers
  • Water Treatment Systems
    • Water Treatment Systems – An Overview
    • Backcountry Water Treatment Systems – Video Demonstrations

WEEK 5: Dealing With Inclement Conditions

  • Wind
  • Precipitation
  • Bugs that Bite

WEEK 6: Trekking Scenarios & Bonus Materials

  • Emergency Communications Devices
  • Long Distance Trekking
  • Winter Hiking
  • Tenkara Fishing
  • Packrafting

WEEKS 7,8,9: Live Preparation

These modules are available to participants who purchase a course trek with the online course

  • Expedition Team (Live Audio Conference / Screencast)
  • Expedition Gear (Interactive Online Spreadsheets)
  • Expedition Food (Interactive Online Spreadsheets)
  • Expedition Itinerary (Live Audio Conference / Screencast)

Upcoming Courses

  • SOLD OUT Spring 2011 Boot Camp – March, April and May
  • SOLD OUT Summer 2011 Boot Camp – July, August, and September
  • Spring 2012 Boot Camp – Enrollment Opens December 10, 2012
  • Summer 2012 Boot Camp – Enrollment Opens May 10, 2012
  • Fall 2012 Boot Camp – Enrollment Opens September 10, 2012

 

Next Session: Dates and Details

Next Session: Spring 2012
Enrollment Opens: December 10, 2011
Enrollment Closes: January 25, 2012
Session Starts: February, 2012
Course Duration: 6 weeks
Course Trek*: TBD
Trek Location*: TBD

* The course trek is an option that can be purchased in addition to the online course, and is not included as part of the base online course package. Click the “Enroll Now” button to view options and prices.

“Can you let me know when enrollment for the next session opens up?”

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Testimonials

Ryan Jordan’s outdoor and backcountry knowledge, skills and experience combined with his easy way really boosted our group’s morale, confidence in themselves and each other and provided not only the skills and training that we needed but also has helped us learn more techniques about gear and trekking than we ever knew before!” – Mike Hall

© 2012 Ryan Jordan. All Rights Reserved.

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