Gear Review – Hywell Merino Wool Socks 2.0
My review on an updated version of the Hywell merino wool socks. Read More …
Author: Paul Mags
Up in the smoke
A backpack became a day hike due to smoke. Read More …
There’s An App for That: 2026 Edition
A ten-year update to the original 2016 article and its 2021 follow-up, highlighting the apps we currently use for our outdoor jaunts. Read More …
The forest is on fire
Coping with a fire that feels close to home on a literal and figurative level. Read More …
Edge of the San Juans
Camping and hiking at the edge of the San Juan mountains. Read More …
Communication Technology Options: Seven Years Later
I wrote about backcountry communication technologies in 2019; here are my updated thoughts seven years later. Read More …
More time in our local mountains
More time spent in our local mountains. Read More …
Building Community with Joan West
A great interview about Joan and the volunteer coordinating role she performs for the state of Utah. Read More …
Digital mapping tools, my use in 2026
State of the union for my mapping tool usage. Read More …
Up in our local mountains
With temperatures continuing their march toward 100F, and fuel prices climbing to almost $5 a gallon, we again looked to our local mountains for outdoor fun and relief from the heat. Joan and I did a quick overnight camping and Read More …
Austin Grandfather?
My mug got scooped up by an AI churn factory. Read More …
Up higher, above the desert
A few words from a recent jaunt. Read More …
Into the pines
Some time spent together in the high country. Read More …
Off Piste – Nelko P21 Label Maker
An inexpensive and useful label maker to help organize gear, maps, and other items. Read More …
A few days off the desert floor
Desert haiku. Read More …
Grab and go – Pantry tote
Organization is not glamorous, but it buys us more time outside. Our pantry tote is a key part of that system. Read More …
Budget overlook – 32 Degree Heat light puffy
An inexpensive, functional puffy jacket for outdoor work, go bags, day hikes, and starter backpacking kit. Not fancy, but useful. Read More …
Avenza: Enshittified. Sigh.
Another victim of enshittification – Avenza Maps Read More …