Paul Mags

Budget day hiking kit

Posted onDecember 5, 2023April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

A budget-minded gear list for day hikes in three-season alpine conditions. Read More …

Solo camping cook kit

Posted onDecember 3, 2023January 9, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A more in-depth look at the solo camping cook kit we put together for some trips Joan did this past year that seemed to sparked some interest. Read More …

Thanksgiving 2023 – In the desert

Posted onDecember 1, 2023December 4, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Thanksgiving in the desert with friends means camping, hiking, and some turkey dinner cooked in a Dutch oven. Read More …

Ten plus year review – Nemesis Safety Glasses

Posted onNovember 27, 2023December 8, 2025AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

A review of Nemesis Safety Glasses. Affordable, light, functional, comfortable and durable. And after over ten years of use, perhaps one my favorite pieces of budget gear by far.
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The Quiver: A plethora of puffies

Posted onNovember 26, 2023January 27, 2026AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

The puffies Joan and I use for outdoor use. Updated in November 2023 to feflect both new pieces and input from Joan. Read More …

A swell time with friends

Posted onNovember 25, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A swell time with friends over a Novemember weekend. Read More …

Gear we liked for 2023

Posted onNovember 25, 2023January 27, 2026AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Our annual look at the pieces of gear and clothing we enjoyed over the past year. A mix of high-end, cottage, budget, and even surplus. Read More …

Top Ten Reasons Why Top Ten Gear Lists (Mostly) Suck

Posted onNovember 17, 2023November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags14 Comments

Top Ten Gear Lists are perhaps the most popular articles in any community. Be it backpacking, music, movies, etc. But they are typically useless. Read More …

A little camping, some backpacking, and goats!

Posted onNovember 9, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

We spent some time camping, got in a backpacking trip, met up with friends for a day. And hung out with goats. Read More …

Packraft around the island

Posted onNovember 6, 2023AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A fine October weekend for a three-day packrafting trip. Read More …

Eclipse 2023 – Goosenecks State Park

Posted onOctober 19, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Joan and I worked an event for the Eclipse at Goosenecks State Park, had the privilege of camping on the rim, and then went to see some equally amazing sights along an old travel path.
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