Comments for PMags.com https://pmags.com Practical advice and musings on the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, ski touring, and camping. Thu, 09 Apr 2026 22:02:55 +0000 hourly 1 Comment on The Good Way – Bandelier National Monument by Paul Mags https://pmags.com/the-good-way-bandelier-national-momument#comment-721177 Mon, 06 Apr 2026 23:02:35 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=5470#comment-721177 In reply to Pete.

Hi Pete, I’d give the backcounty office a call and find out for sure. It’s been a very dry year and normally reliable springs and streams are bone dry. Last time I backpacked there was 2019 so my knowledge is not up to date.

Have fun! It’s a special place

]]> Comment on The Good Way – Bandelier National Monument by Pete https://pmags.com/the-good-way-bandelier-national-momument#comment-721029 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 02:50:51 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=5470#comment-721029 Hi Paul, coming in late to this. How did you plan for water on this trip? Did you check at the backcountry office for water availability? NPS site says some of the streams/water sources are unreliable. I’m planning a trip in there and I don’t want to carry 2.5 gallons of water if I can avoid it! Thanks Paul!

]]> Comment on Western Snap shirts vs. Sun Hoodies- Hot and Dry Weather by Randy Martin https://pmags.com/western-snap-shirts-vs-sun-hoodie-in-hot-and-dry-weather#comment-720954 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 16:18:49 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43655#comment-720954 I have observed the same thing about the hood trapping heat and so have largely abandoned use of sun hoodies. I prefer the use of a buff and baseball cap solution for head and neck sun protection. I find that the buff being in contact with my skin much more readily evaporates and cools

]]> Comment on Western Snap shirts vs. Sun Hoodies- Hot and Dry Weather by Paul Mags https://pmags.com/western-snap-shirts-vs-sun-hoodie-in-hot-and-dry-weather#comment-720886 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 16:26:57 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43655#comment-720886 In reply to Del Gray.

The dyes help a fair amount with UV in addition to the weave vs white color and weave of material like a dress shirt from my understanding. The snaps also come off easier (better for barbed wire…usually not a problem on maintained trails but oddly useful on our usual hiking nowadays! Ha!)
The western snaps also reinforced in the shoulder for better sun protection . Finally, the plaid hides stains better.

Also, more so in my small desert town, thrift stores more of a crap shoot.

]]> Comment on Into the Blue – The Abajo Mountains by Lee https://pmags.com/into-the-blue-the-abajo-mountains#comment-720879 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 14:24:38 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=24273#comment-720879 Nice photos! I wonder if that is Bears Ears in the last one. Also, can you see Sleeping Ute Mountain from there?

]]> Comment on Western Snap shirts vs. Sun Hoodies- Hot and Dry Weather by Del Gray https://pmags.com/western-snap-shirts-vs-sun-hoodie-in-hot-and-dry-weather#comment-720871 Fri, 27 Mar 2026 03:34:40 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43655#comment-720871 But those metal snaps are soooo heavvvyyyyy!
Seriously though, what advantages do you see in this Western snap style shirt over a simple 60/40 button up dress shirt from a thrift store?

]]> Comment on Thoughts on two years with the National Park Service by Paul Mags https://pmags.com/thoughts-on-two-years-with-the-national-park-service#comment-720832 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 18:20:46 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43567#comment-720832 Thank you so much for the gracious words and sharing your experience as well.

I felt honored and privileged to support the NPS. And I still do.

]]> Comment on Thoughts on two years with the National Park Service by Stan Allison https://pmags.com/thoughts-on-two-years-with-the-national-park-service#comment-720828 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:06:29 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43567#comment-720828 I understand where you are coming from. I had a 25 year career with the NPS and overall it was amazing! However, the end was rough because of poor managers that made my work miserable. Like any institution, the NPS has both good and bad aspects. For me, whether it was good or bad, I always would fall back on the mission of the NPS which I still strongly believe in: The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.

Like any institution run by humans, the NPS has both the best and worst of humanity. Like you, I choose to remember the best and let go of the worst.

Thank you for your service to our National Parks and National Park employees!

]]> Comment on Western Snap shirts vs. Sun Hoodies- Hot and Dry Weather by Stan Allison https://pmags.com/western-snap-shirts-vs-sun-hoodie-in-hot-and-dry-weather#comment-720827 Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:52:41 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43655#comment-720827 Amen brother! I’m glad to hear that I’m not the only one that prefers long sleeved, cotton button up shirts to hoodies for hot and dry weather. I’ve tried hoodies and find that they just hold too much heat in for all of the reasons you mentioned. Like you, I do like my hoodie in cooler weather where I can benefit from the additional warmth. Hopefully some folks who have never tried western snap shirts will give them a try after reading your article.

]]> Comment on Some volunteering and camping by Monty https://pmags.com/some-volunteering-and-camping#comment-720764 Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:23:00 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43634#comment-720764 Often times, hiking in to a place with no lake is most rewarding for me, which is to say, no people!

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