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Home »2018 »October

Month: October 2018

Review: Desert Cabal by Amy Irvine

Posted onOctober 30, 2018January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

An overlook at a book that is lauded as a response to Desert Solitaire on the 50th anniversary of its publication. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsbooks, Ed Abbey, utah-tip, Wildness

Canyonlands Sojourn

Posted onOctober 29, 2018December 19, 2018AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

An overnight trip in Canyonlands National Park in the Salt Creek Zone. With meandering canyons, ancient sites, and amazing ancient art. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, Canyonlands National Park, Colorado Plateau, Petroglyphs, pictographs, utah

Quick Tip: Easy Cowboy-style Coffee

Posted onOctober 25, 2018October 25, 2018AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

An easy way to make Cowboy-style coffee without the muss and chewy grounds by using a coffee filter sachet. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, Quick TipsTagscoffee, food, quick tip

The Obscure Arches National Park

Posted onOctober 23, 2018April 30, 2019AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Two days exploring Arches National Park and nearby BLM land a little off the beaten path. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsArches National Park, Colorado Plateau, Moab, utah

Cedar Mesa Redux

Posted onOctober 22, 2018May 21, 2019AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Two days in Cedar Mesa. Camping, hiking, sunset views, canyons, and remnants of the Ancestral Pueblo past. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, Bears Ears National Monument, Cedar Mesa, Colorado Plateau, utah

Stove Comparison – Real World Use

Posted onOctober 17, 2018April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags35 Comments

An overview of backpacking stove types with their pluses and minuses. No such thing a the “best stove”…just what is best for you. Revised October 2018. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsburn bans, popular, stoves

Industry Terms, Outdoor Gear, and Marketing Buzz

Posted onOctober 16, 2018April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Some musings on how industry terms for outdoor gear become marketing buzz. And how people use buzzwords to purchase gear without thinking what the terms mean. Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagsindustry, outdoor gear

Natural Bridges and Cedar Mesa: A Bit Obscure

Posted onOctober 15, 2018October 22, 2018AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Exploring two unmarked lesser known canyons in the Natural Bridges National Monument and Cedar Mesa. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, Bears Ears National Monument, Cedar Mesa, Colorado Plateau, national monument, Natural Bridges National Monument, utah

Gear review: NatureHike Foam Pad (Z-Lite clone)

Posted onOctober 11, 2018April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

Here’s a $27 alternative to the $45 Z Lite or the new $50 Nemo Switchback. Similar specs and performance at about half the price. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, sleeping bag, sleeping pads

Quick Tip: Psuedo Deadman Anchors

Posted onOctober 10, 2018April 29, 2022AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Deadman anchors are the way to secure a shelter in soft sand or snow. But there is a happy medium between a true deadman anchor and hoping your stakes hold. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsdead man anchor, quick tip, tent stakes, utah-tip

Sleepings Pads – A grounded view

Posted onOctober 9, 2018April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags22 Comments

An overview and comparison of sleeping pads for backpacking and camping. Updated October 2018. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagspopular, sleeping bag, sleeping pads

Gear review: Altra Superior 3.5

Posted onOctober 9, 2018April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A very comfortable and light shoe that fits wider toe-boxes well. Not durable, however, and best for maintained trails and non-rough terrain. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsAltra, footwear, gear, gear review, review

Rainy Arches Weekend

Posted onOctober 8, 2018October 8, 2018AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

An overnight backpacking trip in Arches National Park and nearby BLM land. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsArches National Park, Colorado Plateau, utah

Gear Review – Atlas Guides GDT app

Posted onOctober 5, 2018January 3, 2020AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A review of the Atlas Guides (Guthook) Great Divide Trail app for Android and iOS-based devices. More than just navigation, it works as a guidebook, too. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsapp, electronics, gear review, maps, navigation

Gear Review: Montbell Versalite

Posted onOctober 4, 2018December 21, 2023AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A light, functional, and effective jacket that packs a lot of features in a 6 oz package. Including pit zips! Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear review, montbell, rain gear, versalite

Rain Gear – What To Wear?

Posted onOctober 4, 2018April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Which rain gear or shell to wear? Depending on the conditions, one piece of gear may be better than another. Updated October 2018. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsclothing, rain gear, shell, wind shirt, winter

Gear review: Salomon X Ultra 3 Hiking Shoes

Posted onOctober 3, 2018April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

An all-purpose hiking shoe good for rough trails and conditions in addition to off-trail jaunts. Reminiscent of the old Montrail Hardrocks in many ways. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsfootwear, gear, gear review, review

Quick Tip: Baking Soda and Vinegar for stains

Posted onOctober 2, 2018October 2, 2018AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Nasty dirt, oils, sweat, and salt in your outdoor clothing and gear? Grab some white vinegar and baking soda! Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsgear maintenance, quick tip

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A Quick Guide to Moab

The Squak – A readily available, $60, active-focused grid fleece hoodie from a Utah-based company. Read the review.

Women’s | Men’s | Children’s   

The Squak Camp Dress 

One of Joan’s favorites!

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

  • REI: Shop Deal of the Day at REI Garage!
  • REI: Outlet 50% off deals
  • REI: Official Coupons and Rebates page
  • REI: Used Gear Store

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We wrapped up the time @ramblinghemlock had off during the week of New Year’s with two more nights in the backcountry.
We closed out 2025 with four days on the Colorado Plateau. We returned to familiar places, Joan showed me sites she’d seen while I was away, and we spotted new ones together.
A little oasis near the village. Second-largest live oak in the state!
Happy Solstice! A quick Honda-friendly trip while our truck is in the body shop. We followed an old stock trail, wandered around a mesa, and caught an incredible sunset over canyon country. Not a bad little outing to welcome the winter months; even if it feels more like October.😔
@ramblinghemlock and I scouted a route for a future trip, visiting a few places that were new to us and returning to others we hadn’t seen in some time. There’s something about the December light that makes the canyon country feel sublime.
Day 2 in the volunteer office

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      • Continental Divide Trail
      • Ring The Peak Trail (Pike’s Peak)
      • Benton Mackaye Trail
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