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Home »RamblingsPage 25

Review – Wildland Coffee bags

Posted onJuly 21, 2021July 21, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A look at some coffee bags that’s a notch above my usual backcountry coffee fare Read More …

CategoriesGearTagscoffee, food, gear review

The Trek – Backcountry Campfires : A relic of the past

Posted onJuly 12, 2021January 27, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

The Trek published my thoughts on backcountry campfires. Happy to have a larger and different audience discuss this important issue. Read More …

CategoriesPMags NewsTagscampfires, climate, LNT

San Juans Solo

Posted onJuly 8, 2021July 8, 2021AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

Some solo time in the San Juan mountains over the 4th of July holiday. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsColorado, San Juan Mountains

San Juans Solstice

Posted onJune 24, 2021AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Backpacking in the San Juans over the solstice weekend. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsColorado, San Juan Mountains

Ending campfire romanticism

Posted onJune 21, 2021January 27, 2026AuthorPaul Mags21 Comments

I’ve made a case that campfires belong in the past with other practices. And to make that change, we need to change the culture around campfires—some thoughts. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscampfires, climate, favorite, LNT, Wilderness Ethics

Into the Abajos

Posted onJune 17, 2021June 21, 2021AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Escaping the fires, smoke, and heat by going to the Abajo Mountains. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsabajo mountains, utah

To NOT build a fire

Posted onJune 10, 2021November 4, 2021AuthorPaul Mags17 Comments

Why backcountry campfires should no longer be a regular part of the backpacking experience. Updated with modified views. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscampfires, climate, favorite, LNT, Wilderness Ethics

Quick Tip – Get an emergency air compressor

Posted onJune 8, 2021AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

A must-have item for anyone traveling to trailheads away from mobile device coverage. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Quick TipsTagsdriving, electronics, quick tip

Into the La Sals

Posted onJune 7, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Escaping the desert heat by hiking in our backyard mountains. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsLa Sals, utah

Dinosaur Nat’l Monument – With the Boulder Clan

Posted onJune 6, 2021June 7, 2021AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

First time seeing some friends since pre-COVID! A long weekend of hiking and camping in Dinosaur National Monument. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsColorado, Dinosaur National Monument, utah

Birthday Bash – Desert to Mountains

Posted onJune 3, 2021January 27, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A few days backpacking with friends and then spending the rest of the weekend hiking and camping with Joan. Two different environments but two enjoyable times. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsAncestral Pueblo, utah

Poking around Price

Posted onMay 13, 2021January 27, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A mellow weekend of camping and hiking north of us in a quiet area. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsFremont, utah

Gear Review – SMD Pack Pods

Posted onMay 12, 2021October 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

At ~1 oz for the 7 liters (large) pod, Six Moon Designs pack pods make a light, affordable, and inexpensive alternative to most stuff sacks or ditty bags. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsgear review, packs, Six Moon Designs

Above the desert floor

Posted onMay 6, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

When the weather warms up we escape the desert floor and backpack among the ponderosas, maples, the occasional Doug fir, and lots of wildflowers. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsutah

Gear review – Montbell UL Thermawrap Parka

Posted onMay 5, 2021April 27, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A sub-10z synthetic parka that makes an excellent all-around three-season+ for conditions not always dry. And extremely comfy a well! Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsclothing, gear review, montbell, puffy

Right on Trek Meal Planning – Two Views

Posted onApril 27, 2021April 29, 2021AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Looking at the RightOnTrek meals and meal planning shopping. I loved the logistic part; Joan liked the variety. Includes a code for a free meal and discounts. Read More …

CategoriesGearTagsfood, gear review, Joan West

Green River Badlands

Posted onApril 26, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A packrafting trip to a quiet and more subtle part of the Green River but one we found just as striking. Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsGreen River, packrafting, utah

Colorado National Monument and medical science

Posted onApril 21, 2021April 21, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A trip just over the border to the nearby Colorado National Monument and seeing some friends for the first time in over a year. Thank you vaccinations! Read More …

CategoriesOther Outdoor JauntsTagsColorado, Colorado National Monument

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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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@ramblinghemlock and I attended a talk at the Devil's Garden Campground in Arches by a friend. An enjoyable program on a wonderful late-summer evening.
Between the fires, a brief monsoon season, the AQI, and life in general, we didn't make it to our summer retreat in the San Juans as much as we'd hoped. But this "weekend," Joan and I finally made it back to our favorite mountains in Colorado.
Joan and I hosted some friends this past week. We gave them the classic tour, starting with an early morning visit to the Fiery Furnace in Arches National Park. While Joan attended a meeting, I played tour guide a bit for other parts of the park. That afternoon, we headed to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park to take in the sweeping views across the Colorado Plateau. Today? We escaped to our local mountains, looking down at the desert floor far below.
Not a good year for backpacking in the Abajos or the San Juans, but our local mountains still offer some good opportunities for camping and hiking. And only an hour away. With @ramblinghemlock
The once and future Bears Ears.
@ramblinghemlock and I went to some local(ish) mountains to avoid the fires and smoke in our usual places.

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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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