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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In Their Words
In Their Words
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Reno Gazette Journal
A Reno Gazette reporter tags along on a trip, and is intrigued by a prison toothbrush.
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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.
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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!
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March 7, 2025
While he’s in the area, Glen will be presenting How to Go Lighter at the Northridge REI from 6:30 – 8:00. He’ll be signing books, and raffling off some fun prizes.
READ MORE →
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March 7, 2025
The Intersections of Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Backpacking
Join Glen at his alma mater California State University Northridge (CSUN) as he talks about the intersection of engineering and business, entrepreneurship and the wilderness.
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Latest
Blog
Level Up
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Secret Club: Sourdough
I’ve written before about what I call Secret Clubs, including stovetop coffee roasting, PDX Carpet, and Luv Ya Bye. As we become interested in a particular topic or skill, we naturally learn more about it and/or get better at…
Life [can be] Short
There have been a couple of plane crashes in the news recently, which has gotten me thinking. I think one of the reasons that plane crashes are horrifying is that they don’t happen very often, so…