Mastering the Craft of Backcountry Travel in Rocky Mountain National Park

By Ryan Jordan

Backpacking is fundamentally simple:

• Walk trails.
• Sleep under the stars.
• Carry only the essentials.

But beneath this simplicity lies a journey toward mastery—a pursuit that has fueled my passion for backcountry travel for decades. Living in Estes Park, with Rocky Mountain National Park as my backyard, has given me an incredible landscape to refine my skills, test gear, and push the boundaries of what’s possible in the backcountry.

The Path to Mastery

I've approached backpacking as an artisan approaches a craft: with curiosity, discipline, and a desire to improve. Over the years, this mindset has allowed me to explore deeper, venture farther, and travel more comfortably in all seasons and environments. Here’s how I keep my passion alive:

1. Embrace Simplicity

At its core, backpacking is about movement, rhythm, and freedom. Some of my most memorable nights in Rocky Mountain National Park weren’t on ambitious multi-day treks but rather on quiet solo trips—like the one where I bivvied under a clear winter sky in the remote northeast corner of the Park, frost forming on my quilt, the distant bugle of elk my only company. Traveling light allows me to be more present in these moments, focusing on the experience rather than the burden of my pack.

2. Understand Gear Performance

A deep understanding of gear is essential. Knowing why certain materials perform well in specific conditions has helped me make informed choices. I recall a late fall trip to Long Lake when an unexpected snowstorm rolled in. My tent selection—a Dyneema single-wall shelter—struggled with condensation, reinforcing the importance of ventilation strategies. Every outing is a learning opportunity.

3. Optimize Gear Systems

No single piece of gear exists in isolation. Each trip teaches me how different systems interact—how my quilt choice impacts my sleeping pad needs, how my layering system affects my shelter strategy. After years of refinement, I’ve built systems that work harmoniously, allowing me to adapt quickly to changing conditions.

4. Study Materials & Technology

Learning about emerging technologies has shaped my evolution as a backpacker. I test everything from mesh base layers to open-knit high-loft fleece during my day hikes and runs in the Park. Ultralight tents and stoves and quilts and pads find their way into my overnight packs, where I test them in the shadows of Longs Peak or the Mummy Range. Staying on top of new developments helps me refine my approach and make smarter investments in gear.​​

5. Advance Your Wilderness Skills

Gear alone doesn’t make a great backpacker. Skills do. Mastering navigation, weather awareness, campsite selection, and risk assessment has given me the confidence to explore remote areas safely. Whether it’s micro-adjusting my route based on avalanche risk in the winter or understanding how katabatic winds impact campsite warmth, every skill I learn allows me to travel with greater confidence. Rocky Mountain National Park isn't just my playground, it's my gear laboratory and proving ground, where I can push gear to its limits and test new skills.

Mastery is a Process

Backpacking isn’t about reaching an endpoint of expertise—it’s about continuous growth. That’s what drives me as an outdoor educator, and motivates me to share what I've learned to help others explore the majesty of Rocky Mountain National Park - and beyond - with comfort, safety, and confidence.

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Ryan Jordan is the owner/founder of Estes Park-based Backpacking Light (backpackinglight.com), providing authoritative gear research and comprehensive online education where hikers can access trusted expertise and enjoy the backcountry with confidence.

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