About Brett Marl
I was born in the beautiful roman fortress of Chester in England, and moved to Seattle after University.
I worked at Microsoft for many years – and helped start two projects there. The first was Outlook Express – bringing email to the masses. The second was MSN Mobile – putting all of MSN’s properties on mobile phones and PDAs.
I left Microsoft in 2000 and co-founded a software startup in Seattle putting email on mobile phones – selling the company to Visto. In 2004 I joined Pure Networks as the CTO. Four years later we were aquired by Cisco, which is where I am today.
I have a huge (somewhat oxymoroninc) passion for both software and the outdoors. Although, I will do my best not to blog about software stuff here 
I’ve been backpacking for 20+ years, and started experimenting with Ultralight backpacking around 2003 after stumbling on Rays Book.
In the summer, backpacking has to compete for my attention along with climbing and mountain biking. In the winter, my gear gets tucked away in favour of snowboarding season.
I’m also somewhat of a DIY nut. Theresa (my wife) and I have an old house in Seattle and spend a lot of time remodeling or helping friends with remodeling projects. Everyone needs a welder and a plasma cutter, right?
Other hobbies? Of course… photography, helping Theresa with her Art School business and I suppose blogging.
And as of 2008, I’m now a proud daddy to the worlds cutest kid:
email: brettm-at-gmail-dot-com
Twitter: brettmarl
4 Responses to “About Brett Marl”
October 7th, 2009 at 6:40 am
Brett,
I have enjoyed reading the information on your web site especially the New Gear List. My nine year old son Ian and I are attempting our first ultralight backpacking trip together with friends this weekend. We are hiking up to the Pinnacle on the AT near Hamburg, PA. I noticed that the link to your old gear list does not work. Could I get access to the list – I am curious on your transition from old to new.
Thanks, John
January 6th, 2010 at 11:21 am
I just came across your blog. I really like it. It is very informative.
Enjoy that little guy. Mine is about to be 13 and I wish I would have done a lot more with him when he was younger.
February 15th, 2010 at 2:38 pm
brett maybe you can help me find a tarp i’m looking for it’s from bozeman
mountain works their nano stealth tarp at 3.5oz or any other tarp close . I can’t seem to find that tarp from bozeman any where. I talked to someone last year and they said it would be avalible late spring . I tried again in the fall 09 but still no luck . i decided to start before backpacking season got here, but haven’t been able to find one yet. I thiught you might could help.
Thanks Johnny Ferguson
February 15th, 2010 at 2:59 pm
Johnny,
This one? http://www.bozemanmountainworks.com/?do=showproduct&id=50
I’d contact them directly and see who distributes it – looks like BPL are their authorized dealer, so try talking to folks at BPL also.
Cheers,
-Brett