Ultralight Wisdom: Glen Van Peski On Gear, Adventure, And Life Lessons | Hike Strong Podcast

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In this episode of the Hike Strong podcast, host Marcus Shapiro sits down with a true icon in the ultralight backpacking world, Glen Van Peski. Known by his trail name "Home Made" for his self-crafted gear, Glen is also dubbed "Legend" by friends like John Mackey, co-founder of Whole Foods Market, due to his profound influence on the hiking community. But Marcus has a different name for him—"Sage"—a nod to Glen’s wisdom that extends far beyond the trails.
An engineer, father of three, founder of Gossamer Gear, and author of the insightful book take Less. do more, Glen blends ultralight packing expertise with 15 life lessons that anyone can apply. The episode opens with key takeaways from his book, touching on the power of meaningful relationships—something Glen has mastered, whether it’s his connections with influential figures like John Mackey, Dan Buettner, or actor Matthew McConaughey.
As the conversation unfolds, Glen shares his philosophy on ultralight backpacking, valuing simplicity in both gear and experience. He offers practical advice for reducing pack weight, catering to both novice and experienced hikers, and reflects on the evolution of the ultralight movement.
With Glen’s thoughtful insights on balancing efficiency with enjoyment, this episode is sure to inspire anyone curious about adopting the ultralight mindset.
Whether you're new to backpacking or a seasoned ultralighter, you’ll walk away with valuable lessons on gear, relationships, and the sheer joy of being on the trail.
Glen Van Peski
https://www.glenvanpeski.com/

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