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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 Mags3 Comments

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, 2018February 4, 2026AuthorPaul 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

PMags Instagram

A hike to our local mountains did not go quite as planned. With an AQI of 176 in Moab due to the fires in our corner of the world, we sought refuge in the mountains.
"Effective today, June 30, 2026 at 12:00 PM, all Forest Service lands, roads, and trails within the Monticello Ranger District of the Manti-La Sal National Forest (San Juan County, Utah) are temporarily closed due to the Babylon Fire. "
"So far this year, 35,247 fires have burned more than 2.9 million acres nationwide. " -National Interagency Fire Center
The CDT forms the backbone of the continent. The Long Trail makes a classic East Coast walk. Brett Tucker's routes require some advanced skills. My DIY routes don't even have schwag.
A couple of days at the edge of the San Juans. Storms moving in had us trading backpacks for a car camping trip, but we still wandered to the edge of treeline. We also settled in with hot drinks while wearing puffies, a welcome contrast to the sweltering heat in Moab earlier in the week.
Some graupel in the San Juans. From @ramblinghemlock

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Disclosure: This website may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products to which I link. These sites include Amazon, REI, Moose Jaw, Gaia GPS, Six Moon Designs, Squak Mountain Co, and ULA Equipment. There is no additional fee for purchasing items through these links.

 

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      • Ring The Peak Trail (Pike’s Peak)
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