The “Ray Way” ultralight backpacking stuff seems pretty neat. Why go heavy, after all.
But even more than that, I think I like the way Ray runs his outdoor schools. When you attend one of his camps it looks like you learn the basics of primitive outdoor skills, for sure. Probably quite a few schools teach that. But it looks like you can also leave with a complete camp set that you made yourself. That seems way cool, to me.
A main idea behind the “Ray Way” of camping is that the companies don’t really do anything that you can’t do for yourself, oftentimes better. Ray has always been a fan of having people make their own tents and sleeping bags. It’s not rocket science—and you can readily end up with MUCH MUCH lighterweight gear. Of course with Ray you make a fancy tarp, not a tent, but who’s niggling.
His homepage shows a line-up of stuff that students made at a camp: backpacks each packed with essentials that they also made.
I also like how you make a camp knife there. He’s into the classic Mora pattern from Scandiland. A very nice knife. Maybe not so pretty to see a photo of, but when you have one in your hand or near to hand, they look mighty fine. Work fine, too.
Anyway, I like the idea of a camp that teaches you stuff, but where you also make stuff to bring home that will last you years and years. Stuff of distinction that really works. Cool.
https://www.rayjardine.com/index.shtml
