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Home »2023 (Page 4)

Year: 2023

Gear review: Salomon X Ultra 4 Low Hiking Shoes

Posted onMay 25, 2023April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

A look at the Salomon X Ultra 4 low hiking shoes. I like these shoes, but don’t love them. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsfootwear, gear, gear review, review

On the South East Utah Group (SEUG) Circuit

Posted onMay 24, 2023April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

My experiences walking and packrafting ~250 miles connecting the four NPS units and the lands in between of the South East Utah Group (SEUG). Read More …

CategoriesLong WalksTagspackrafting, SEUG Circuit, utah

North of the canyon

Posted onMay 5, 2023October 17, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Two nights camping out in another obscure neck of the high desert. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

The SEUG Circuit

Posted onMay 2, 2023May 25, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Here’s an ~250-mile route I plan to paddle and hike before I start a new position in June. Read More …

CategoriesLong WalksTagsSEUG Circuit, utah

An overlook – N1-B Mukluks

Posted onApril 27, 2023April 28, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Budget footwear for cool to cold and dry conditions when in camp. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, footwear, gear review, surplus, winter

Rim top wanderings

Posted onApril 26, 2023May 26, 2023AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Hiking and camping along the canyon rims. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Some guests and some backpacking

Posted onApril 23, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

We had some guests over and then went backpacking after showing some of the sites. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Gear Review : Montbell Merino Wool Plus Light Hoodie

Posted onApril 19, 2023May 26, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A look at the Montbell hoodie that works very well for me as a cold to cool weather top but is too warm for me once the mercury hits ~65F. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear review, montbell, sun protection

Stewardship Spotlight

Posted onApril 18, 2023September 20, 2024AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

The SHPO office did a spotlight article on the site stewarding volunteer work we perform. Read More …

CategoriesPressTagsutah, volunteer

Showing the local scenery

Posted onApril 7, 2023April 7, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Spending some time with some dear friends from Boulder. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act – Boon or bust?

Posted onApril 6, 2023AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

America’s Outdoor Recreation Act seems promising. But I see many loopholes potentially exploited for financial interests. Or, business as usual. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsNational Parks, Wildness

Gear Review – Nitecore NU43 headlamp

Posted onApril 5, 2023April 7, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A look at a bright, long-lasting, and high-powered headlamp. Best for climbing, camping, car emergencies, and potential SAR use. Perhaps not backpacking. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear, gear review, lights

Wandering to and fro

Posted onApril 2, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Hiking and camping with some friends before they set forth on another opportunity. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Camping, hiking, and post-COVID recovery

Posted onMarch 21, 2023March 21, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A couple of weekends of hiking, camping, and ambling as Joan continues to get better. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Another place in between

Posted onMarch 8, 2023March 8, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

With Joan feeling better but still not 100%, we went to a quiet place between other, more well-known sites. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Ski and High Desert

Posted onFebruary 28, 2023February 28, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Some skiing with friends and then taking it easy with Joan. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsColorado, Dead Horse Point State Park, utah

Gear overview – NortiV8 light duty hiking boots

Posted onFebruary 26, 2023February 27, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A look at Nortiv8’s “Men’s Waterproof Hiking Boots Outdoor Shoes” or light hiking boots. Budget-minded boots similar to the HiTec Altitudes I’ve worn for years. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsfootwear, gear, gear review

Sunblesa looking for product testers

Posted onFebruary 26, 2023February 26, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Are you interested in looking over and reviewing a headlamp? Sunblesa is currently looking for testers. Read More …

CategoriesGear, PMags NewsTagsgear, gear review, lights

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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

The annual navel-gazing I call the “Year in Review.”
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.

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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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    • Thru Hikes, Long Walks, or Routes
      • My Alphabet Soup summary
      • Vermont’s Long Trail
      • Appalachian Trail
      • Pacific Crest Trail
      • Colorado Trail
      • Continental Divide Trail
      • Ring The Peak Trail (Pike’s Peak)
      • Benton Mackaye Trail
      • Tahoe Rim Trail
      • Uinta Highline Trail
      • Collegiate Loop
      • A Walk Across Southern Utah
      • Great Divide Trail (Canada)
      • The Northern New Mexico Loop
      • Grand – Moab Route
      • SEUG Circuit
      • A Walk Across New England
    • Other Outdoor Jaunts
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