Budget gear – The popular picks
A curated list of the budget items people seem to borrow or find intriguing over the years of hiking, camp, and hiking. Read More …
Author: Paul Mags
A La Sal Introduction
Joan and I continue our semi-annual tradition of taking the NPS interns for a weekend of camping, hiking, and good food in an enjoyable place. Read More …
Arches Highlights
Here’s an ~45-mile driving tour of Arches National Park that touches upon the park’s highlights. Takes in ~5 miles or so of hiking and about 4+ hours. Read More …
Into the San Juans
Another weekend to the nearby San Juan Mountains of Colorado. Read More …
In the canyons of the ancients
A weekend in a quiet area with no one around. Read More …
The place in-between
We decided to spend the week on the mesas in-between with heat below and thunderstorms above. Read More …
Desert and Ocean
Two weeks of assorted family visits and side trips from the desert to the ocean and back. Read More …
Influential Gear?
What backpacking gear has become influential in the past few decades? Some thoughts. Read More …
Into the La Platas
With Joan up in Cortez, CO, for a two-week workshop, we decided to spend some time in the nearby La Plata Mountains. Read More …
Just another weekend
More time spent in the outdoors. As usual. Read More …
Long term review – REVALCAMP sleeping bag
Two+ years, and many nights of camping with these sub-$30 sleeping bags, means I can give a review of this worthy part of a $70, three-season sleep system. Read More …
Down in the Abajos on the 4th
Another local trip. This time backpacking in the Abajo Mountains. Read More …
Review -Fire Dept. Coffee
A look over some flavorful and enjoyable java. Read More …
The simple pleasure of bike errands
Now that we live near downtown, we find we rarely drive during the week. The addition of a bike trailer made this task feasible. Read More …
Another weekend in the La Sals
Another quick escape from the desert heat into the alpine terrain. Read More …
Jack of All Trades gear
Limited budget, space, or time? Here is a Jack of All Trades gear kit for general-purpose outdoor use that fits in one large duffle bag. Updated June 2022. Read More …
Review: Canola oil water bottle
My new dry-camping and water hauling bottle of choice: Light, wide mouth for easy filling, fits well in a pack front pocket of my pack, and is cheap! Read More …
Away from the heat and into the mountains
Escaping the desert heart by going into the La Sal mountains. Read More …