Jonathan Dorn
Editor-in-Chief, Backpacker

Jon works and plays very hard at his job. In 2004, he led Backpacker through a complete redesign, the launch of six regional editions, and the creation of a GPS-enabled website where users trade and download digital hikes. In May 2006, Backpacker earned its first-ever National Magazine Award (in the Magazine Section category), plus a nomination for General Excellence. It also received the Outdoor Industry Association's highest honor, the Ambassador Award. In 2007, Backpacker received another NMA nomination, this time for its Survival Issue. Jon was personally recognized in May 2006 by Folio magazine as one of the Folio 40, an annual honor highlighting the most influential and innovative executives in the media business. He’s appeared on The Today Show, The Early Show, Good Morning America, The O’Reilly Factor, MSNBC, ESPN,and other national media outlets.

But it’s not all work. Jon also pursues his passion for adventure with backpacking, rock-climbing, and mountaineering trips that have taken him from Alaska to Norway. Last summer, he captained the first media team to finish Primal Quest, an expedition-length adventure race. During the winter, he trained with Al Gore to become one of 1,000 official volunteers certified to present the former Vice President’s Inconvenient Truth slideshow. Jon also serves as president of the board of Big City Mountaineers, a nonprofit organization that provides wilderness mentoring to disadvantaged urban teens. He's a graduate of Amherst College and holds a PhD in American studies from Harvard University.

Jon Dorn, Editor-In-Chief of Backpacker Magazine