Hi! My name is Jason Merrill. I am an experienced hiker and wilderness guide with over 25 years of experience with training and guiding backpackers in the outdoors. I am constantly adding to my knowledge base with testing new gear, providing training to new to backpacking and hiking, and hiking and logging thousands of trail miles. You’ll find some of my reviews and writings added to ULGearBlog.com. Please reach out if you have any products or ideas you’d like us to cover!
Skills and Accomplishments:
- Over 25 years of experience hiking and backpacking in the mountains of North Carolina, Colorado, Utah, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Appalachian Trail
- Knowledgeable in outdoor safety, navigation, survival skills, gear, trip planning, and leading groups
- Wilderness First Responder certified, with training in wilderness medicine, CPR, and emergency response
- Leave No Trace Master Educator with expertise in teaching minimal impact hiking and camping
- Thru-hiked the 2,650 mile Pacific Crest Trail in 2009
- Thru-hiked the 2,190 mile Appalachian Trail in 2013
- Guided backpackers on multi-day trips in the Maroon Bells Wilderness, San Juan Mountains, Lost Creek Wilderness, Shining Rock Wilderness, and Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Outfitted and trained clients in proper gear selection, packing, route planning, and outdoor ethics
- Taught over 50 educational wilderness safety and survival clinics in Asheville, Denver, Salt Lake City, and other outdoor hubs
- Writer and photographer for hiking magazines and websites, including features on ultralight backpacking, outdoor nutrition, and trip reports
- Search and Rescue volunteer with local mountain rescue groups; participated in over a dozen wilderness SAR missions
- Leave No Trace Master Educator since 2013; trained over 500 students in LNT principles
- Wilderness First Responder since 2010; maintain certification through biannual retraining
- Avid peakbagger with over 200 summits logged in Colorado and North Carolina
- Member of the American Hiking Society, Colorado Mountain Club, Carolina Mountain Club
Outdoor/Wilderness/Gear Background:
Lead Guide, Colorado Mountain Adventures, Aspen, CO (2010-2015)
- Led weeklong backpacking treks and taught outdoor skills to groups of up to 12 clients
- Oversaw all trip logistics, risk management, and emergency protocols
- Collaborated with other guides to ensure exceptional customer experiences
Assistant Guide, Outdoor Odyssey, Asheville, NC (2005-2010)
- Co-guided backpacking and hiking day trips in the Smokies and Blue Ridge Mountains
- Educated clients on environmental ethics, safety, gear, and trip planning
- Trained in wilderness medicine, risk assessment, and client care
Gear Specialist, REI Asheville, Asheville, NC (2000-2005)
- Advised customers on outdoor gear and helped equip them for hiking and backpacking adventures
- Led regular in-store clinics on backpacking basics, trip planning, and outdoor skills
- Gained extensive hands-on knowledge of outdoor gear and equipment
Education
Wilderness First Responder, SOLO, Conway, NH – 2010 Leave No Trace Master Educator, LNT Center for Outdoor Ethics – 2013 B.S. Recreation Management, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC – 1995
