Ray Jardine graduated from Northrop University with a degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, and worked in the aerospace industry as a specialist in computer-simulated space-flight mechanics. He retired at an early age to pursue his outdoor interests.

A mountaineer, he climbed most of Colorado's fourteeners, many in winter; and he climbed extensively across western North America. His highest peak was Peru's Huascarán, at 22,205 feet.

Ray worked as winter mountaineering instructor for two seasons, and as wilderness instructor for seven. In the process he backpacked several thousand miles.

He also holds an EMT certificate from St. Anthony's Hospital in Denver, Colorado.

A rock climber for 19 years, Ray established some of the era's toughest climbs, including the world's first 5.12 graded climb: The Crimson Cringe, and the first 5.13: The Phoenix. He climbed extensively in Great Britain and across western America. His ascents in Colorado include seven Diamond routes. In Yosemite Valley he pioneered 50 first ascents, and was the first to free climb a grade VI.

Ray developed the protection and anchoring device known as the "Friend" which revolutionized the sport.

And he originated the style of climbing used today that enables more challenging routes to be climbed. According to Rock & Ice magazine, "The brilliance of his routes, the undeniable contributions of his designs, and his yet-unrealized visions of the future of the sport place Ray Jardine among the rarest of climbing revolutionaries."

In 1982, Ray and his wife Jenny sailed around the world in 3˝ years aboard their ketch SUKA, (acronym for "Seeking UnKnown Adventures").

During the voyage, they spent 6 months scuba diving and snorkelling in the Caribbean. Ray is a PADI certified diver.

Ray is also an avid hang glider pilot. He has logged some 400 hours aloft, flown to 16,000 feet, cross-country 50 miles, and thermal gained 9,100 feet (nearly two miles straight up).

He has flown sailplanes and small powered craft, and he holds an Australian Restricted Private Pilot's License.

Ray and Jenny have completed several long-distance hikes:

• Hike #1: Mexico to Canada, generally along the Pacific Crest Trail, 2,500 miles in 4-1/2 months, 1987.
• Hike #2: The PCT, 2,700 miles in 3 months and 3 weeks, 1991.
• Hike #3: The Continental Divide Trail, 2,500 miles in 3 months and 3-1/2 weeks, 1992.
• Hike #4: The Appalachian Trail, 2,100 miles in 2 months and 28 days, 1993.
• Hike #5: The PCT southbound, 2,700 miles in 3 months and 4 days, 1994.
• Hike #6: The IUA Hike & Bike, Canada to Mexico, 2,000 miles in 63 days, in 2003.
• Hike #7: The Appalachian Trail, solo, 2,100 miles in 3 months 1.5 weeks, 2009.
• Hike #8: The Appalachian Trail, solo early season, 2,100 miles in 3 months 2 weeks, 2010. Note: these two thru-hikes were 6 months apart.

In 2009 Ray wrote a new version of his light-weight hiking book: Trail Life.

Ray has also written these books:

In 1991 he wrote the First Edition of The PCT Hiker's Handbook, which described his new system of light-weight hiking. In 1996 he re-wrote the book, and called it the Second Edition. And in 1999 he wrote the all-trails version, and named it Beyond Backpacking.

Tarp Book
(Out of print)

Sea kayaking has also been a favorite pursuit. Ray and Jenny have paddled several thousand miles in areas such as offshore California, the Sea of Cortez, French Polynesia, Australia, Alaska and Canada.

Ray's first sea-kayaking: Catalina Is to Long Beach harbor, 27 mi in 9 hours, 1974.

Baja Sea-Kayaking:

• Baja #1: 1974, kayak 200 miles in 14 dyas from San Felipe to Bahia LA with Kris etc.
• Baja #2: 1975, 3 weeks by car and kayak.
• Baja #3: 1976, kayak 24 days San Felipe to Bahia Animas.
• Baja #4: 1977, kayak 480 miles in 26 days from Bahia LA to La Paz with John and Al.
• Baja #5: 1978, kayak 9 days islands of Loreto.
• Baja #6: 1979, kayak 9 days islands of Baja de LA.
• Baja #7: 1980, 1-1/2 weeks hobi cat.
• Baja #8: 1981, kayak 680 miles in 23 days from San Felipe to La Paz with Ed.
• Baja #9: 1989, kayak 680 miles in 33 days from San Felipe to La Paz with Jenny.

Arctic Sea-Kayaking:

• "Arctic" Trip #1 in "Sea Tub," Anacortes WA, Inside Passage, Chilkoot Trail by portage, Yukon River to the Bering Sea. 3,392 mi, 100 days, 1988.
• Arctic Trip #2 in "Tempest," paddled the west coast of Arctic Alaska from the Yukon River north to the Inuit village of Shishmaref. 600 mi in 48 days. 1995.
• Arctic Trip #3 in "Siku Kayak," Siku Kayak. The summer of 1996 they returned in yet another home-built kayak, (Siku) and paddled the remaining 1,400 mi in 78 days to Point Barrow and across the top of Alaska.
• Arctic Trip #4 in "Nunaluk" 1997. Mackenzie River (Canada's largest) 975 mi in 18 days, then 200 miles in 12 days along Arctic coastline until again stopped by polar pack ice.

They particularly enjoy Canoe Triping.

• Canoe Trip #1: Fulton Chain of Lakes, Adirondacks, 125 mi, 12 days, 1996.
• Canoe Trip #2: Thelon River, 575 mi, 24 days, from Lynx Lake to the Inuit hamlet of Baker Lake near Hudson Bay.
• Canoe Trip #3: Back & Meadowbank Rivers. Across the Barrenlands of Sub-arctic Canada, From Sussex Lake traveling down the Back River, up the Meadowbank River, over the Divide and down to the hamlet of Baker Lake, for a total of 736 miles in 40 days. 1999.
• Canoe Trip #4: Kazan river. 560 mi, 24 days across the Barrenlands of sub-arctic Canada. 2001.
• Canoe Trip #5: Coppermine River starting from Yellowknife via Pike's Portage, to the Arctic Ocean, 960 miles 38 days in 2005.

They also build aerospace composite kayaks in their garage.

• Kayak #1: Solo fiberglass (built on Catalina Island).
• Kayak #2 "Tempest," Two-person kayak of carbon-fiber, Airex and epoxy, designed by Ray on a CAD program that Ray wrote himself. 1995.
• Kayak #3 "Siku" 1996.
• Kayak #4 "Nunaluk" 1997.

From Sept 2000 to Feb 2003, Ray & Jenny were full-time skydivers. Altogether Ray jumped 2,591 times, and Jenny 1,850.

In 2002, Ray & Jenny Rowed across the Atlantic, 3,000 miles in 53 days.

In 2004 they peddled their tandem bicycle across the country, coast to coast - twice.

Hello America Bicycle Tour

6,700 miles in 92 days

After completing Hikes #7 and 8: two times on the Appalachian Trail, Ray cycled across the country:

TransAm-2010 cycling trip,

3,783 miles in 54 days.

Snowkiting has also been a favorite.

They spent 2 weeks Snowkiting in Greenland

In 2006-7 Ray & Jenny skied to the South Pole, 750 mi in 57 days.

On that same trip, Ray also climbed Vinson Massif, the highest peak in Antarctica: 16,050 ft.

2011 Moto-America
7,300 miles in 22 days.

2011-Moto-Prudhoe
10,700 miles in 40 days.