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Home »View all posts by  Paul Mags (Page 28)

Author: Paul Mags

How did I get Joan into backpacking ???

Posted onJune 8, 2020June 10, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Another “Tales from the trail” as I answer the odd question of how I convinced Joan to backpack. 😉 Read More …

CategoriesMusings, VideosTagsvideos

The Onion, 2014

Posted onJune 4, 2020June 4, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A classic of sorts written six years ago. Read More …

CategoriesMusings

Ten year review: Generic 200 wt fleece

Posted onJune 4, 2020June 6, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A 200 wt fleece is an excellent and versatile item for all-around outdoor use. This type of fleece is durable, versatile, and not expensive. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, camping, clothing, fleece, gear review

Desert and Mountains

Posted onJune 2, 2020June 2, 2020AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

In one weekend we went from a high mountain pass and then spent another day on the canyon bottom, Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsLa Sals, utah

Gear Review – Crappy Coleman Cooler

Posted onJune 1, 2020January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

My first YouTube gear review looks at my “Gear Pick of the Year” for 2019…but in the field! Read More …

CategoriesVideosTagsfavorite, gear review, videos

Backdoor into the canyon

Posted onMay 29, 2020AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Another Utah weekend for us where we hike, explore, and scout for future trips. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, utah

Tales from the Trail #1 – Mags goes all foodie

Posted onMay 27, 2020January 3, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

There’s this one time I had breakfast at a James Beard Awarding-nominated restaurant. And I did not realize it at the time. Read More …

CategoriesVideosTagsfood, utah, utah-tip, videos, wasu

Thoughts on the Seventh Principle of Leave No Trace

Posted onMay 22, 2020January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Some thoughts about the Seventh Principle of Leave No Trace: “Be Considerate of Other Visitors.” Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscommunity, favorite, LNT, Wilderness Ethics

Gear Review: LA Police Gear Multiuse Tote

Posted onMay 20, 2020April 19, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

The LA Police Gear Collapsible Multiuse Tote ends up being another non-outdoors item that ends up surprisingly useful for outdoor pursuits. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, organization, packs

The Quiver – Headwear

Posted onMay 15, 2020December 15, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Keeping my noggin warm and protected for various seasons, conditions, and use. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, hats, the quiver, winter

Intro to Backpacking: Part 6 – Navigation Basics

Posted onMay 14, 2020May 14, 2020AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

The sixth chapter in our series – An introductory look at map, compass, and electronic navigation resources. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, VideosTagselectronics, navigation, videos

Into the Blue

Posted onMay 13, 2020May 13, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Two nights of camping in some nearby mountains. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Gear Review – SP30 fleece beanie

Posted onMay 12, 2020May 13, 2021AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

I finally found a simple, effective, and inexpensive “go-to” beanie to replace my beloved MEC fleece hat. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsbudget gear, clothing, gear review, hats, winter

Intro to Backpacking: Part 5 – Water Treatment Concepts

Posted onMay 7, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Why and how to treat water; and why washing those hands might be just as important. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsvideos, water treatment

A La Sals Loop

Posted onMay 6, 2020May 6, 2020AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

An overnight trip in the La Sal Mountains following a lonely route at this time of the year. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsLa Sals, utah

Intro to Backpacking: Part 4 – Backcountry Food

Posted onMay 5, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Part 4 in this series will discuss options for food in the backcountry with an emphasis on food purchased at the local grocery store. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, VideosTagsfood, videos

Intro to Backpacking: Part 3 – Deciding where to go: risk management & factors to consider

Posted onMay 3, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Part 3 – Deciding where to go: risk management & factors to consider. I discuss different factors on deciding where to go. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, Trip PlanningTagsdiscovery, planning, safety, trip ideas, videos

Outdoor pursuits and the greater community

Posted onMay 1, 2020April 27, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

The priority of self vs. the community in outdoor pursuits. And when thinking of the community, you help yourself in the long run. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscovid19, favorite, giving back

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Virtual tip jar

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

We did some volunteer work for an organization we are active with on Saturday and Sunday, and made it into a local camping trip in between the assignments.
Some local hiking this weekend. I scouted a route for a possible packrafting trip later this month, and on Sunday, @ramblinghemlock and I meandered through a canyon we’ve been curious about for a while.
I can’t imagine this landscape with a wall.
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.

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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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      • 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
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      • Clothing and related
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      • Sleeping bags, quilts, and pads
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      • Water containers
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