The Gossamer Gear Family
Mar 20, 2017
FAMILY
We’re the ultralight OG. For over two decades we’ve been shedding every possible gram while elevating performance, comfort, and durability. Our commitment, creativity, and grit drives our innovative pack, shelter, and trekking pole designs. We know that carrying less frees you to do more - more miles, more fun, and more awesome experiences.
Glen Van Peski is a past Board member of the Pacific Crest Trail Association (PCTA), past Scoutmaster, and past Ultralight Backpacking Program Director for Wilderness Outings. He lives in Bend, Oregon with his wife of 38 years, Francie, and has three grown sons Brian, Derek and Grant. Glen has run ultramarathons, and loves getting outdoors on bikes, skis, kayak or SUP.
He has hiked the majority of the California and Oregon sections of the Pacific Crest Trail, and continues to knock off chunks as time allows between other outdoor interests. Glen has wandered the backcountry in other parts of the Western United States, and on the Appalachian Trail, as well as in Europe and Japan. Glen serves as Chairman of the Board, and remains actively involved in product development, policy and vision, and of course product testing!
Grant Sible has been an avid outdoorsman since growing up in Iowa and Minnesota. He has lived and trekked all over the world before settling in Austin, Texas. Though growing up ‘in town’, he spent all his spare time in the woods, and his passion for outdoor places continues to this day. He has lived in Mammoth, San Francisco, Quito, North Carolina, and Florida, but has called Austin home since 1992.
Grant has hiked in Patagonia, the Alps, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, the upper Amazon cloud forest and the Amazon basin forest. He thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail in 2002, and has hiked extensively in the White Mountains and the western Sierra. In between his terra firma adventures, Grant has been scuba diving in New Guinea, Indonesia, Galapagos (3 times).
He has summitted diverse Ecuadorian peaks, including Cotopaxi at 19,400 feet. He has canoed the Boundary Waters in Minnesota, and on the Amazon River and tributaries. He has fished for piranha (which he said were quite tasty) and wrestled crocodiles (he let them go afterwards).
Grant joined Gossamer Gear as President in 2005, when founder Glen Van Peski brought in an equity partner so he could take a less active role. Grant brings a passion for the outdoors and diverse business skills to bear on the challenge of taking Gossamer Gear to the next level.
Jonathan Schmid - VP of Everything
Hailing from the beautiful garden state, Jonathan aka Jersey grew up hiking and camping on the AT. His project management background ranges from a Fortune 5 company to working on Sundance award winning documentary films. Working his way up from cutting polycryo 20 hours a week he was the perfect fit for VP bringing his Swiss army knife skillset to Gossamer Gear.
Ian Atkinson - Customer Experience and Product Specialist
After growing up in the hill country of Austin, Texas and graduating with a bachelors of education from UT Austin, Ian found his love of the mountains and ultralight gear during a hike on the Pacific Crest Trail. He has since traveled 1,500 miles on the PCT, in addition to completing the Colorado Trail, Camino de Santiago, and The Great Outdoors Challenge.
Ian’s next objectives include the Pfiffner Traverse, the Wind River High Route, the four great 14er traverses in CO, and section hiking the PCT to completion. When not on trail, you can find Ian bouldering, playing basketball, practicing yoga, throwing darts, reading fiction novels, or scrolling the ultralight subreddit.
Rhett - Shipping and Receiving
A man of many talents, and mystery.
