Career Evolution: From Gadgets to Wilderness
- Early Tech Focus (2009-2015): Cut teeth covering gaming and entertainment tech at Collider, analyzing box office trends and emerging media formats
- Outdoor Tech Transition (2016-2020): Pivoted to adventure tech at WIRED, exploring wearables and GPS innovations
- Current Leadership (2021-present): Shapes gear coverage as Editorial Director at Outside Magazine, overseeing testing protocols and sustainability initiatives
Defining Works
- "The Essential Guide to High-Performance Outdoor Gear" Van Camp's 2024 manifesto redefined gear journalism through its multi-phase testing methodology. The piece combined lab data from Colorado State University's materials science department with real-world expedition accounts from Denali guides. Its "lifetime value index" metric became an industry benchmark, pushing manufacturers to prioritize repairability over planned obsolescence.
- "How Emerging Tech is Reshaping Adventure Sports" This 2023 deep dive analyzed how AI-powered avalanche prediction systems and biodegradable sensor tags are transforming backcountry safety. Van Camp partnered with MIT researchers to stress-test algorithms against traditional guide knowledge, creating a nuanced framework for tech adoption in risk environments.
- "AVATAR Draws Huge Monday Numbers, Again" An early-career piece demonstrating Van Camp's analytical approach to entertainment trends. His breakdown of 3D cinema's impact on outdoor documentary formats hinted at later interests in experiential media.
Strategic Pitching Guidance
1. Focus on Sustainability Proof Points
Van Camp prioritizes manufacturers implementing closed-loop production systems, as seen in his 2024 exposé on recycled climbing hardware. Pitches should quantify environmental impact through third-party verified metrics rather than vague "eco-friendly" claims.
2. Bridge Tech and Tradition
Successful pitches mirror his WIRED piece on AI avalanche systems - show how innovation complements (rather than replaces) traditional outdoor skills. Include case studies of guides collaborating with engineers.
3. Avoid Luxury for Luxury's Sake
His critique of $1,500 "glamping" tents demonstrates aversion to superfluous features. Emphasize durability and functional innovation over premium materials without performance justification.
4. Leverage Academic Partnerships
Van Camp frequently cites university research, like his use of Dartmouth's hypothermia studies in sleeping bag reviews. Pitches with academic collaborators receive priority consideration.
5. Respect Testing Timelines
His team's 18-month gear testing cycle means seasonal pitches must align 24 months pre-publication. Submissions for 2026 winter gear closed in April 2025.
Awards and Recognition
- 2024 Outdoor Media Summit Innovation Award: Recognized for developing data-driven gear evaluation frameworks that raised industry testing standards
- 2023 ASME Finalist (Service Journalism): Nominated for interactive gear maintenance guides that reduced equipment landfill contributions
- REI Partnership Citation: Honored for educational content driving consumer adoption of sustainable outdoor products
