Title: Camp, Hike & Backpack Section Editor, Asst. Ski Editor Email: wbrendza@gearjunkie.com Location: Glenwood Springs, Colo. Social Media: https://www.instagram.com/juanwilder/
Expertise
Topics of Expertise: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Skiing, Mountain Biking
Years in This Expertise: 15+
Number of Products & Number of Hours Expert Has Tested: 200+ products, 2,000+ hours
Education & Certifications
Education: Bachelor of Arts, University of Colorado at Boulder
Years of Writing: 10+
Certifications: Avalanche 1, WFR, CPR
Club or Association Memberships: 10th Mountain Division Hut Association
Awards or Recognitions: Awards from Society of Professional Journalists for articles from 2019, 2020, and 2022; Nominated for AAN best column award in 2022; winner of Camp Cold’s “Happy Camper” award in 2020
I’m a writer, journalist, and professional misfit based out of the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. I grew up on the Western Slope of the Rocky Mountains, reenacting “Survivorman” episodes and studying books like “Hatchet,” “The Monkey Wrench Gang,” and “Into the Wild.” I’ve written on topics ranging from cannabis to local news, the environment, and, of course, outdoor gear and adventure. If I’m not banging stories out on my computer, you’ll probably find me skiing or mountain biking (depending on the season) — or drinking beer at some remote craft brewery.
Get psyched for mountain bike season with this hypnotic edit from Matchstick Productions’ ‘A Biker’s Ballad’ where athletes rip in Utah’s renowned Rampage Zone.
One of the most crucial hubs for Utah’s National Parks could have its lease terminated, displacing hundreds of employees, NPS vehicles, and even archaeological artifacts.
GRAYL has become synonymous with water purification devices, and is a popular among survivalists, backpackers, military, and explorers — now it’s got a whole line of…
A Colorado thru-hiker is establishing a new long-distance trail that traverses the northern part of Colorado. If you’re looking for a new adventure this summer,…
Not many people finish the infamously challenging Barkley Marathon — this year, after multiple people finished in 2023 and 2024, the organizers made the race…
Hanging Lake Trail closed last summer for a $4.5 million restoration project. Now reservations are open for hikers who want to visit the iconic National…
Voormi’s Mij technology is wirelessly integrated into the fabric of its garments to monitor a body’s thermal load — but eventually, this could become self-regulating, and…
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![Yosemite National Park Finally Announces Reservation System](data:image/svg+xml,<svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" viewBox="0 0 0 0"></svg>)