The Forge

I did the "The Forge" with Ranger Provisions in Colorado. Hands down an awesome backpacking trip. Even with prior military service, I learned a surprising amount of new field skills. Jake is a top-tier guide and instructor. From filtering mountain runoff to navigating the terrain, everything was practical and at a consumable level for anyone. If you want to up your game in the backcountry and have a great time, book a trip with Jake!

The Forge is a chance to spend a few days hiking in beautiful mountains, learning backcountry skills, making friends around a campfire, and getting far, far away from your inbox.
It's well planned, and great for all experience levels. If you're new to the outdoors or backpacking, you'll learn the essentials for staying safe on on track, and quickly gain the confidence and knowledge you need to explore the wilderness in the future. Jake does a fantastic job of mixing education, fun, and adventure on the trip.
Highly recommended!

If you’re reading this, you’re thinking about joining, and I can tell you, there’s only one decision…do it! It’s a comfort cleanse that will challenge you, teach you, and bring you closer to nature and those with you.

Incredible experiences are to be had on the Forge!

I went on the Summer 2025 excursion into the Mount Holy Cross Wilderness Area and it was 4 days packed full of beautiful trails, challenging-yet-rewarding hikes, invaluable outdoors education, and good old fashioned quality time with other humans out in nature. Jake is expert outdoorsman and consummate wilderness guide, taking what might seem like a daunting excursion and turning it into an accessible opportunity for adventure and growth. I cannot stress enough how positive of an experience it was to participate on this trip.

If you’re even a little on the fence about going — stop overthinking and go! You will not regret it.

STELLAR TRIP! Jake put together a four day, backpacking adventure, deep in the mountains of Colorado, that was challenging, rewarding, and an absolute blast!
So much to share! From pre-trip training and gear acquisition to logistics planning and on-trail guidance, Jake and his Atomic Athlete team absolutely knocked this one out of the park.
We had an absolute blast from start to finish. I met a bunch of really cool guys, and we became buddies as we hiked up, down, and around the most beautiful mountains I’ve ever seen.
The daily hikes were plenty challenging, but absolutely do-able. In fact, after each day’s hike, Jake would give us a map-reading class and have one of us guide the group on a side-quest to some of the most beautiful, off the beaten path, locations we found on the trip.
Every component of this trip was fun… the training, the people, the travel, the hiking, the camping, the camaraderie, the learning… just a blast!
If you’ve been looking for an adventure, DO THE FORGE!
ND’s for life!