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Home »2021 (Page 5)

Year: 2021

Down and dirty backpacking

Posted onFebruary 23, 2021AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

A lesser-known route with some excellent scenery, a river, memorable images…and tacos on the way home! Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Four Days in The Needles

Posted onFebruary 18, 2021February 18, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Two days of backpacking followed by two days of camping in The Needles District of Canyonlands National Park. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsCanyonlands, utah

Rain mitt #4 – Swiss Army vinyl rain mitts

Posted onFebruary 17, 2021April 25, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Another inexpensive and effective mitten option for cold and wet use that also allows easy layering. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, gloves, rain gear

Gear Review – Slumberjack SJK Roadhouse Tarp

Posted onFebruary 16, 2021August 21, 2022AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A very good sun and rain tarp for the back of a truck or SUV. Purchase some additional equipment and the tarp goes from a very good piece of gear to excellent. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagscamping, gear review, shelters, Tacoma

A classic revisited

Posted onFebruary 9, 2021February 9, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

We did another winter backpack along a classic route. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsCanyonlands, utah

Rain Mitt #3 – Biohazard mitts

Posted onFebruary 3, 2021January 27, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

These biohazard liner mittens are inexpensive, waterproof, and light at 1 oz a pair. I think they’ll work best for occasional three-season use. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, gloves, rain gear

The Alcove

Posted onFebruary 2, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Our first backpacking trip of the year proved as memorable and previous ones. And double special as Joan received the OK from her PT. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, pictrographs, utah

A locals’ walk

Posted onJanuary 28, 2021AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Having wilderness in our backyard is a key to life happiness for us. And one place, quite literally, is just out our door. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Rain mitt #2 – Frogwear 8490MT

Posted onJanuary 26, 2021January 27, 2026AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

Continuing to look for the ideal pair of rain mitts for my use. The second option ends up as extremely weatherproof, warm, and only $18. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, gloves, rain gear

Rain mitt search #1 – Decathlon overglove

Posted onJanuary 25, 2021January 27, 2026AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Looking for my ideal rain mitt. Here’s one option I’ve used – The $17 Decathlon Trek 500 Overglove (mitt). With an intro to the thoughts behind this series. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, gear review, gloves, rain gear

Wandering below Cedar Mesa

Posted onJanuary 21, 2021January 21, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Continuing to connect the areas with ancients paths. And thinking more of the role of the river “trails.” Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, Bears Ears, Cedar Mesa, utah

Last-minute outdoor checklist

Posted onJanuary 20, 2021January 20, 2021AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Our final step in getting out is a general outdoor checklist we always consult as our last step. Here it is. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear list

Website of the week: Drought.gov

Posted onJanuary 19, 2021January 19, 2021AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A look at a fascinating, interesting, and ultimately sobering website. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, MusingsTagsclimate, Website of the week

Another winter camp

Posted onJanuary 14, 2021January 14, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Enjoying more winter delights on the Colorado Plateau. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, Bears Ears, comb ridge, utah

Perma-camping kit: What the heck is it?

Posted onJanuary 13, 2021August 8, 2025AuthorPaul Mags12 Comments

Another way to maximize outdoor time: Having some gear pre-packed and ready to go. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Trip PlanningTagscamping, car camping, favorite, gear list, organization, time bank

Toyota Tacoma – Our camping setup

Posted onJanuary 12, 2021July 12, 2022AuthorPaul Mags15 Comments

How we turned our Tacoma into a comfortable place to camp esp during the winter months. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagscamping, road trip, Tacoma, winter

Love letters from devoted readers

Posted onJanuary 6, 2021November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Feeling the love from the wonderful comments from over the years. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagshumor

A local New Years

Posted onJanuary 4, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Winter continues to be more my favorite time to savor and explore the very local areas around Moab. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsMoab, utah

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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                                                                                                      

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Two years inside the Park Service, trying to balance trade and calling. I left in fall 2025, and I’m still making sense of it - part grief, part gratitude, and part closure.
With a brief but noticeable bit of winter this past week, we opted not to travel the muddy, snowy roads into more remote areas. Instead, we tackled some home projects on Saturday and spent Sunday revisiting a place we hadn’t seen in a while. Red rock, canyon wrens, images, and late winter desert light accompanied the day.
@ramblinghemlock and I pivoted from an original trip after much-needed rain on Friday. On Saturday, we avoided muddy roads that would have derailed our original plan and spent two nights poking around a place we could reach only because of temporary, water-filled potholes and a handy Ziploc bag that made it possible. We also revisited sights we hadn’t seen in a while. Red rock, grand views, and old images marked the unofficial long weekend kickoff of spring around Moab.
@ramblinghemlock and I finally felt better and took a long-overdue trip into the backcountry. We slept outside and enjoyed the peace of the wild places. Canyon wrens filled the canyon with song during the day, and owl calls echoed off the walls at night. We returned to places we had not seen in a while and saw places new to us. The land endures.
@ramblinghemlock and I are recovering from the flu, so we decided to keep things local this weekend.
Small, good things.

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      • Appalachian Trail
      • Pacific Crest Trail
      • Colorado Trail
      • Continental Divide Trail
      • Ring The Peak Trail (Pike’s Peak)
      • Benton Mackaye Trail
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