Will (aka Willi Wabbit) and Janet (aka BOS, which means Buns Of Steel) have been life-long backpacking enthusiasts. When they retired and moved to southwestern Colorado in 1997, they were released into a vast area of backpacking opportunities – at about the same time ultralight backpacking became popular. They quickly got involved in the movement, making a lot of their own gear at first, and helping to spread the ultralight philosophy. Will got involved in gear testing originally with the BackPackGearTest Group, then joined Backpacking Light Magazine, where he published hundreds of articles on lightweight gear and technique over 8 years. Janet played a supporting role as co-tester on numerous projects and as Will’s photographer and photo editor. Will served as Senior Editor for Gear and Apparel at BPL until his recent “second retirement”.

Will and Janet both have a strong commitment to community service. They are volunteer Wilderness Information Specialists with the USDA Forest Service, where they chat with backpackers on wilderness trails to provide helpful information and encourage adoption of Leave No Trace principles. Will has logged over 3000 hours in the backcountry as a WIS volunteer, and Janet has nearly 2000 hours. For the past 10 years they have presented annual lightweight backpacking and lightweight cooking workshops in their local area. They are frequent participants in Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado projects. Janet and Will (especially Janet) also do a lot of trail, backcountry, and roadside litter cleanup; and Janet has helped set up recycling programs in the local community.

During the winter they enjoy backcountry skiing in the local mountains, ski-in hut trips, and camping and hiking in the southern Utah backcountry. Will likes to build a hidden igloo in the mountains each winter to enjoy snow camping in relative comfort.

Home: Durango, Colorado

Ages: 69 and 63

Websites:  Southwest Ultralight Backpacking,  Chicago Basin Trip Planning Guide

Favorite Training Grounds: Weminuche Wilderness in southwest Colorado, southern Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Current Plans: Backpack to age 100, or longer.

Favorite Gossamer Gear Product: Lightrek 4 Trekking Poles.