The object
Dana Gleason designed the Terraplane, an internal-frame backpack that Mystery Ranch identifies as the choice of hard-core mountain athletes and an earlier Backpacker Editors’ Choice winner. The company’s history also documents Gleason’s continuing role as co-owner and describes subsequent packs carrying forward his utility-driven design language.
01
What Dana did
designed the Terraplane internal-frame backpack and founded the successive Kletterwerks, Dana Design, and Mystery Ranch pack businesses
02
Why it matters
The Terraplane’s long-lived mountain use and Editors’ Choice recognition demonstrate consequential adoption beyond a founder narrative.
03
Living-status check
Mystery Ranch’s current history names Dana Gleason as co-owner and was accessed in July 2026.