Will is a writer, journalist, and professional misfit based out of the Roaring Fork Valley of Colorado. Will 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.” He’s written on topics ranging from cannabis to local news, the environment and, of course, outdoor gear and adventure. If he’s not banging stories out on his computer, you’ll probably find Will skiing or mountain biking (depending on the season) — or drinking beer at some remote craft brewery.
Title: Camp, Hike & Backpack Section Editor, Ski Section 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: 400+ 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.
There’s no doubt that outdoor gear is getting more expensive, along with everything else. So, more brands are turning to resale to keep customers engaged.
The GR10 is one of France’s most challenging trails — in the Patagonia film ‘Seeking South,’ trail runner Keisuke Minami attempts to set his first FKT…
LifeStraw is known for its backpack-friendly water filters and purifiers. With its new 5-gallon Escape, you can purify enough water for a group, directly from…
GeoTrek is a licensed Mercedes Sprinter dealer that builds campervans fast, passing much of the savings onto its customers. We tested its Flatiron Sprinter build.
When financial and environmental climates start changing, adaptation is the only way to survive. The French ski brand, Rossignol, understands that and plans on sticking…
Dyneema now has a woven composite material that it claims is 10 times stronger, five times more abrasion-resistant, and 34% lighter than previous versions. It’s…
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,…
Scientists have confirmed a deadly bat disease in Rocky Mountain National Park. Here’s how climbers are helping expand their data on bat populations to better…
