Backpacking Light Magazine

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Backpacking Light Magazine was founded in early 2001 by modern-day ultralight backpacking evangelist Ryan Jordan (hiker), author of Lightweight Backpacking and Camping^[1], an edited volume with multiple authors considered to be the Bible of ultralight backpacking. Backpacking Light Magazine publishes a subscription-based Website, a quarterly print magazine, some technique books, and operates a unique retail store with a collection of interesting ultralight backpacking gear not commonly found elsewhere.

Backpacking Light Magazine was originally founded as an online periodical. Its launch and subsequent articles, because they were written by scientists and engineers with an interest in dispelling manufacturer marketing myths about outdoor gear, gained critical attention among the media as a controversial but important resource providing balanced views of outdoor recreation gear and practices. Evidence that the ultralight backpacking movement in general is gaining momentum is evidenced by Backpacking Light Magazine's reputation as a source in newly published books about backpacking and hiking, and Backpacking Light Magazine's development of outdoor leadership training programs for Boy Scouts of America, Search and Rescue Organizations, and most recently, the National Outdoor Leadership School.

Backpacking Light Magazine is unique in that it appeals to a relatively narrow niche audience of outdoorspeople interested in ultralight backpacking, yet it has made efforts to reach a broader audience with its outreach programs and content syndication efforts to other end user hiking organizations (e.g., Pacific Crest Trail Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Boy Scouts of America).

Backpacking Light Magazine's unique approach to online business (i.e., creating a community of enthusiasts using blogging, email news, periodical and book publication, retail ecommerce, and manufacturing business models) has resulted in it generally being identified as the primary thought leader not only in growing the rapidly emerging trend towards ultralight backpacking, but for sustainable online business models as well. This strategy has been recognized by the New York Times^[2], Los Angeles Times^[3], Christian Science Monitor^[4], Associated Press^[5], and Business Week^[6].

[edit] References

^ Jordan, Ryan (Editor). Lightweight Backpacking and Camping: A Field Guide to Wilderness Equipment, Technique, and Style Beartooth Mountain Press (2005). ISBN 0-9748188-2-8.
^ Gorman, James. "On the trail, with the clothes on your back and little more," New York Times, July 13, 2003.
^ Rane, Jordan. "Lighten up: Don't do the heavy lifting," Los Angeles Times, September 9, 2003.
^ Wilkinson, Todd. "Ultralightweight gear puts bounce in backpackers' stride," Christian Science Monitor, September 29, 2004.
^ McMillion, Scott. "On the trail, with the clothes on your back and little more," Associated Press West Wire Enterprise Digest, August 24, 2003.
^ Klein, Karen. "Finding Your Online Audience," Business Week Europe, September 7, 2006.