Backpacking Light Podcast

Backpackinglight.com
  • 4.8 (252)
  • WILDERNESS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The Backpacking Light Podcast explores the technology, gear, skills, and philosophy of backcountry wilderness travel through stories, interviews, and investigative reports.

  1. 12/15/2025

    Episode 141 | Hiking at Night in a Blizzard

    What gear do you actually need to hike out safely through a winter blizzard at night, in sub-freezing temps and high winds, when stopping isn't an option? In this episode, Ryan breaks down a focused foul-weather kit: core layers, shells, handwear, footwear, lighting, and navigation that preserve function while on the move. To view the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    56 min

  2. 12/09/2025

    Episode 140 | Winter Storm Decisions

    Ryan walks through a structured, six-question framework for deciding whether to stay put or move when a winter storm deteriorates around you, using real backcountry examples to show how terrain, weather, gear, consequences, people, and trends shape safer choices. To view the show notes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    30 min

  3. 11/20/2025

    Episode 139 | Repair Kits

    In this Field Notes episode, Ryan breaks down ultralight repair kits using a simple framework: context, consequence, and capability. He compares short-term overnights to long-term expeditions, explains how to right-size your kit, and walks through real-world repair problems with shelters, fabrics, packs, footwear, lighting, and water treatment so you can carry less gear, solve higher-consequence failures, and avoid getting stranded by preventable equipment breakdowns on remote trips and routes. To view the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    34 min

  4. 11/10/2025

    Episode 138 | Plan – Focus – Trust

    In this episode, Ryan introduces the Plan-Focus-Trust framework - a simple but powerful approach to managing hard, uncertain objectives in the wilderness and beyond. Drawing on lessons from our recent BPL community trip in the Colorado Rockies, he shows how successful expeditions aren't conquered through toughness, but through disciplined attention. Plan to remove fear and build readiness. Focus to stay present and move one step at a time. Trust to let small, verified wins accumulate into confidence. Together, these three disciplines transform big, intimidating goals into achievable progress - mile by mile, decision by decision. To view the shownotes for this epsidoe of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    44 min

  5. 11/03/2025

    Episode 137 | The Risk Control Continuum

    In this episode, we introduce the Risk Control Continuum - a practical, evidence-based framework for managing risk in the backcountry. He explores how environmental, psychosocial, and operational hazards trigger physiological, functional, and cognitive drift, leading to cascades of failure. Listeners learn the HEAT and ECG checklists for detecting and reversing control loss, and how structured decision gates and route planning maintain safety, awareness, and performance in adverse environments. To view the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    33 min

  6. 10/20/2025

    Episode 136 | Fringe Season Layering

    What is the difference in layering strategy from summertime to the fall-winter transition? In this episode, Ryan Jordan discusses how the environment of the fringe season (colder temperatures and stormier weather) demands different types of layers and a different approach to layering. To view the show notes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    30 min

  7. 10/13/2025

    Episode 135 | Field Notes - The Metabolic Cost of Bushwhacking

    In the Field Notes episode, we explore why bushwhacking miles aren't just harder but metabolically different. The Metabolic Energy Mile (MEM) framework breaks this down into three types of work: brush work (muscle strain from pushing through vegetation), impedance work (lost efficiency from constant stops and detours), and hazard work (the stabilizing effort to avoid injury). Each inflates the Metabolic Difficulty Ratio (MDR) in unique ways, helping us better predict energy cost, travel time, and safety off-trail. To view the shownotes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    25 min

  8. 10/06/2025

    Episode 134 | Sleep Quality in the Backcountry

    Backcountry sleep is fragile, and when it breaks down, recovery, judgment, and safety are at risk. In this episode, we examine the forces that fragment rest, including altitude, stress, weather, injury, ground comfort, and sleep/shelter gear systems, and how they disrupt the deep and REM sleep required for physical and cognitive recovery. We'll also explore practical, evidence-based strategies to protect your rest so you can stay sharp, resilient, and ready for the trail. To view the show notes for this episode of the Backpacking Light Podcast, click here.

    47 min
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4.8
out of 5
252 Ratings

About

The Backpacking Light Podcast explores the technology, gear, skills, and philosophy of backcountry wilderness travel through stories, interviews, and investigative reports.

Information

  • Creator
    Backpackinglight.com
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright (C) 2000-2019 Beartooth Media Group, Inc.
  • Show Website
    Backpacking Light Podcast

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