backpacking

How to get outdoor trip ideas

Posted onNovember 25, 2020July 25, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

How to get ideas for backcountry trips? Here’s how I do it. Updated for 2020. Read More …

A properly attired hiker: Blaze orange in hunting season

Posted onOctober 5, 2020September 7, 2021AuthorPaul Mags19 Comments

Different options for the wearing of blaze orange while hiking during hunting season. Read More …

Eight miles away – Backpacking near home

Posted onApril 2, 2020April 3, 2020AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

The trailhead’s three-miles away, we slept eight miles from where I’m typing, another local backpack. Read More …

Glove in Hand – Layering for Cold Weather

Posted onDecember 7, 2018February 4, 2021AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

A fair amount of people ask what to wear on the hands for cool and cold weather hiking. Here’s my take.
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Quick Tip: Backcountry Slushies

Posted onJuly 5, 2018January 3, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Hiking in the glorious alpine terrain? See some snow banks? Time to make a backcountry slushy! Read More …

2017: The theme was “Transition”

Posted onDecember 20, 2017December 20, 2017AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

A look over 2017. A year of transition. A year that started off with too much time being taken from me. And ended with me giving the gift of time to myself. Read More …

Amble in Arizona – Part 1 : The Grand Canyon

Posted onMarch 7, 2017May 25, 2017AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Three days of backpacking in The Grand Canyon as the first part of my Arizona vacation. Read More …

A peaceful backpack

Posted onJanuary 30, 2017January 30, 2017AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A quick overnighter in Peaceful Valley. Read More …

2016: The theme was “Change”

Posted onDecember 29, 2016February 7, 2017AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

A look over 2016. The short version? Trips. Divorce. Pet passed on. Busy. Website did well. More to come in 2017! Read More …

Useful items for the outdoors person

Posted onDecember 6, 2016September 27, 2021AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A grab bag of favorite items that I have consistently used for a variety of outdoor activities. Read More …

Kenosha Ridge Walk

Posted onOctober 11, 2016July 4, 2018AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Life can get busy. And that is especially why even a short outdoor trip is needed. Read More …

Musings on Hatch Green Chile, 4oz can

Posted onOctober 6, 2016January 23, 2017AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

And now for a review of something that is very important: An item of food. Why? Because if you don’t think food is important, you don’t backpack enough. 😉 Read More …

Wonderful fall

Posted onSeptember 28, 2016September 28, 2016AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Fall. The best time to be outside. Read More …

Walking Man – The Secret Life of Colin Fletcher

Posted onAugust 19, 2016January 31, 2017AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

A review of a recently released biography of Colin Fletcher. Read More …

A map is a suggestion : Troublesome – CDT loop

Posted onJuly 25, 2016July 25, 2016AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A backpacking trip in a lightly used area. And some thoughts on the future of wilderness management. Read More …

Five more Colorado backpacking loops

Posted onJuly 20, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Some more backpacking loop ideas for Colorado in the Denver and Boulder area. Read More …

Return to Beaver Creek

Posted onJune 6, 2016September 1, 2019AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

After the day hike in 2015, time for a backpacking trip in 2016. A mainly trail-less jaunt to an old power plant and back down a canyon. Read More …

Hiking the Appalachian Trail – Rodale Press

Posted onMay 6, 2016June 18, 2017AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

An overview of a seminal two-volume set about the early years of the Appalachian Trail. A compendium of some of the first 46 people to travel this storied path. Read More …