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Home »2025 (Page 4)

Year: 2025

First impressons – Gossamer Gear “The Two”

Posted onJune 30, 2025December 3, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

An initial overlook at The Gossamer Gear “The Two” that Joan and I have used the past couple of months. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, shelters

A quick overnighter in the La Sals

Posted onJune 29, 2025June 29, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A quick overnight trip to the La Sal Mountains where left the desert and enjoyed the cool night air. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

First time on the Appalachian Trail

Posted onJune 28, 2025June 28, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

I am contemplating an extended walk in New England this Autumn.  This post comes back to mind. If all goes well, I will be returning to what sparked my love of the outdoors nearly 40 years ago. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsAppalachian Trail, boy scouts, New Hampshire

Gear Review – Squak Camp Dress

Posted onJune 27, 2025July 3, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Joan looks at her new favorite car camping staples these past few months – The Squak Camp Dress. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, fleece, gear review, Joan West

Long term review – 2010 ~50 liter Igloo cooler

Posted onJune 4, 2025June 4, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A long tern review of the decidely un-hip Costco Igloo cooler from 2010. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, stoves

Down there in the mountains

Posted onJune 3, 2025June 3, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Some time spent in the local mountains with the hotter weather now here. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Eight Days at the “Edge of Nowhere”

Posted onJune 1, 2025June 2, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

I want to go back, sleep under the stars, and walk in the desert again for many days. I want to “light out for the Territory.”
Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Into some higher country

Posted onMay 14, 2025May 14, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A weekend that did not go as planned but did not matter in the end. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

I went down to Austin…

Posted onMay 12, 2025May 12, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

I went to Austin, had some BBQ, and talked trail. Read More …

CategoriesPMags News, PressTagsBackpacker radio, podcast

The peace of wild things

Posted onMay 4, 2025May 4, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Seeking solace in our public lands. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagspackraft, utah

Another local hike

Posted onApril 27, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A local hike to work off some rich food. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Words of wisdom from 1877

Posted onApril 25, 2025August 1, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

How to Camp by John M. Gould was written 150 years ago. But it still has some practical advice applicable for any outdoors person today. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Gear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, books, camping, favorite

The in between times – New Mexico after the Pueblo Revolt

Posted onApril 20, 2025April 20, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Some time in New Mexico spent with friends. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsNew Mexico

Friends in the backcountry

Posted onApril 15, 2025April 15, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A weekend close to home and a little further away with friends. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Gear over the years – A look back, Part 4

Posted onMarch 30, 2025March 30, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Part four of this ongoing series of a longer term look at gear and techniques Joan and I use for the outdoors. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear list, gear used over the years, Joan West

Paddling into the labyrinth

Posted onMarch 30, 2025March 30, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Another trip we rambled, ambled, sauntered, and generally enjoyed ourselves. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagspackrafting, utah

Another baker’s dozen – favorite campsites

Posted onMarch 16, 2025March 16, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Another “Baker’s Dozen” of favorite camping spots. A sequel of sorts to what I wrote in 2017. Rather than specific places it is areas we enjoy. Read More …

CategoriesMusings, Other Outdoor Jaunts

Overnight in the canyon

Posted onMarch 7, 2025March 7, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

More structured rambling on an overnight trip in support of our volunteer role. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

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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
      • Tahoe Rim Trail
      • Uinta Highline Trail
      • Collegiate Loop
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