Glen Van Peski is a civil engineer who used his skills to engineer the lightest backpacking gear in the Solar System. He's the Founder of Gossamer Gear.

In the 31st WanderLearn episode, Glen and I chat while we're hiking up to the Sweeney Ridge in the San Francisco Bay Area's Peninsula. On the ridge, there's a National Historic Landmark commemorating the historic Gaspar de Portola Expedition. The Spanish Portola was the first European to see the Bay Area in 1769.

In this podcast, you'll learn:

• What's the lightest backpack that Glen has ever had.


• Why Gossamer Gear has introduced heavier gear options.


• What are some cool fabrics on the horizon.


• How to get sponsored.


• Some useful metric conversion tips.


• What's Glen's favorite backpack?


• What was unexpectedly hard about making a backpacking gear company.


• The time Glen nearly died because he went stupid light.


• How Gossamer Gear's Crotch Pot makes tasty food.

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Sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa

This show was sponsored by Health Access Sumbawa. In 2014, Jack Kennedy founded this nonprofit that is helping bring malaria control and healthcare to remote, impoverished communities. It started on the remote island of Sumbawa, Indonesia. Visit their website to learn more and to donate: https://healthaccesssumbawa.org

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