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Home » Archive for  Books and Media

Category: Books and Media

Reviews and discussions of books, movies, magazines, and other outdoor related media.

Website of the week: Drought.gov

Posted onJanuary 19, 2021January 19, 2021AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A look at a fascinating, interesting, and ultimately sobering website. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, MusingsTagsclimate, Website of the week

“The Walkumentary” on YouTube

Posted onNovember 18, 2020November 18, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

One of the earlier videos about the CDT is now available on YouTube for free. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, PressTagsContinetal Divide Trail, The Trail Show

Review: Highline

Posted onApril 9, 2020January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

A look at a documentary on the “Uinta Highline Trail” by Outmersive Films. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsdocumentaries, review, Uinta Highline Trail, utah-tip

NOAA Weather app by Pandamonium Software

Posted onDecember 18, 2019December 19, 2019AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

I love NOAA for weather information. I love useful apps. And I really love useful free apps. This NOAA app checks off all these boxes. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsapp, electronics, weather

Another Contest: Backpacking for Beginners Giveaway

Posted onDecember 4, 2019December 4, 2019AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

I’ll be giving away two copies of this book. Tell me about a beginner backpacker in your life and why they might like this book. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Getting Started, PMags NewsTagsbeginners, books

Giveaway Winners: Wanderlust USA by Cam Honan

Posted onDecember 2, 2019December 2, 2019AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

The winners of the Wanderlust USA giveaway. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, PMags NewsTagsbooks, Cam Honan

Some thoughts: Brave New West by Jim Stiles

Posted onNovember 22, 2019January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Some of my thoughts on “Brave New West” by Jim Stiles. If you are interested in the future trajectory of “The West”, I suggest giving this a book a read. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsbooks, utah-tip

Giveaway: Wanderlust USA by Cam Honan

Posted onNovember 20, 2019November 22, 2019AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

I’ll be giving away two copies of the latest book by Cam Honan: Wanderlust USA by Gestalten. Tell me your best outdoor volunteering story for 2019. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, PMags NewsTagsbooks, Cam Honan

GPS Essentials app

Posted onSeptember 25, 2019December 18, 2019AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Another free app that I find very useful. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsapp, electronics, GPS, navigation

Website of the Week – TrailGroove Magazine Premium

Posted onSeptember 24, 2019March 8, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

I’ve looked at TrailGroove Magazine before. Here are some benefits of getting a premium subscription. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, MusingsTagsWebsite of the week

Quick Tip: Read the National Park Service Jr Ranger books

Posted onSeptember 20, 2019November 20, 2019AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

The NPS Junior Ranger books are an excellent way to learn the biology, geology, and history of a national park unit quickly, accurately, and in a fun manner. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Quick TipsTagsbooks, Junior Ranger, national park, quick tip

How to Survive Your First Trip in the Wild: Backpacking for Beginners

Posted onJuly 19, 2019April 29, 2020AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

My book focused on beginner backpackers will be available on Sept 3rd. And pre-order copies are available for a discount. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Getting Started, PMags NewsTagsbeginners, books

A revisit: The PCT Hiker’s Handbook

Posted onJune 23, 2019November 22, 2019AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

I wrote an article looking over Ray Jardine’s classic PCT Hiker’s Handbook (1996 edition) almost twenty-five years after the initial publication. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsbooks, Ray Jardine

Seek by iNaturalist

Posted onJune 13, 2019December 18, 2019AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

The “Seek” app is essentially Shazam for the natural world. Free, powerful, simple to use, and immensely useful – an app well worth getting. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsapp, electronics, guidebook

An outdoor library: Colorado Plateau collection

Posted onApril 28, 2019January 2, 2021AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Some suggested books for the outdoors person that make a good read for someone interested in the history, culture, or politics of The Colorado Plateau. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Getting StartedTagsbooks, Colorado Plateau, library, outdoors, utah-tip

Book overview: 4WD Adventures Utah

Posted onDecember 21, 2018January 13, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

An older but still useful book that works well as an adjunct to trip planning using Utah’s often rough roads for outdoor pursuits. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Trip PlanningTagsbooks, utah, utah-tip

On The Trail with Boots McFarland : Volume 1

Posted onNovember 29, 2018November 29, 2018AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A collection of comics for the thru-hiker tribe that captures the experience of hiking in the dust with sweat, Snicker bar wrappers, bugs, and rain rather well! Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsbooks, Boots McFarland

Review: “Battle Over Bears Ears” documentary

Posted onNovember 21, 2018January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A PBS documentary that looks over the debate of Bears Ears from a locals viewpoint. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and MediaTagsBears Ears National Monument, documentaries, PBS, review, utah-tip

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One thing I’ve noticed in the past few years is One thing I’ve noticed in the past few years is an increased bearanoia. But even more pronounced in the past year or so? People are bringing bear spray into black bear country. The rule is not absolute, but the more experience a person has in the backcountry, the less likely they are to take bear spray where only black bears roam. Standard bear precautions are more than acceptable. …. So now I have this copy/pasta I trot out more and more frequently. Perhaps it will make people think a bit more about what they may be committing to overall rather than carrying something extra weight. __________ You’ll find that most experienced people in the black bear country say you don’t need it. Myself included. ... However, I also recognize this issue can be an emotional one for many people. If you are part of the “better to have it and not need it” crowd, by all means, take it if it makes you feel better. But, and this is a very BIG but, please do the responsible thing and practice using it first. ... Cabelas, REI, and similar sell inert training canisters for about $17 each. Get two or three canisters and practice in natural conditions holstering and unholstering it with your gear (poles included) and spraying in moderately windy conditions. ... LEOs, rangers, game wardens, and even volunteer scientists (like my partner in Glacier) do this very thing in the backcountry as a required part of their training. ... If you take a canister into the backcountry without knowing how to use the tool correctly, you are merely giving lip service to safety. At best, you’ll use the tool ineffectively when it counts. And you may accidentally harm yourself and others because of your lack of responsibility. ... Do the right thing; if you take a bear spray canister, practice first. .. #hiking #backpacking #camping #bears
My gear reviews aren't as frequent as some, but I' My gear reviews aren't as frequent as some, but I'll gladly review coffee that's easy to use, an affordable luxury, and tasty. And that brings us to a quick review of @wildlandcoffeeco ... When Zach of Wildland Coffee saw my various posts about coffee in the outdoors, he figured I'd enjoy looking over this product. He's correct! .. The coffee is super easy to make. No muss. No fuss. Just boil water, steep for five to ten minutes, and enjoy! As easy to use as a teabag, but with delicious coffee instead. ... Zach wanted a good cuppa joe in the backcountry without a lot of futz. And based on my sipping, I gotta say it’s pretty tasty. Did not have that instant coffee taste more reminiscent of older gas station coffee. I enjoyed sipping it, savoring the morning, and almost as easy to use as instant. ... The Wildland Coffee philosophy? "Does Wildland Coffee use instant coffee? No, we have standards." ... Buy it in bulk, and the price compares favorably to Starbucks Via but as a much tastier brew. .. Backcountry coffee does not have to suck or get complicated to brew for a tasty cuppa joe. Wildland Coffee proves it. ... @wildlandcoffeeco provided the coffee for my review #hiking #backpacking #coffee #camping
Instagram only allows 10 photos to share, but I th Instagram only allows 10 photos to share, but I think the politics of the La Sal Daisy, an endangered plant unique to the La Sal mountains, end up engaging. .... In 2013, the Utah DWR introduced non-native mountain goats, and they trampled the heck out of the tundra. Add in hotter and drier conditions, and this unique flower (known only to grow here) is an endangered species. My route took me off-trail in part, and I think that's the only reason I found it. ... 🌼More info about this daisy and the politics behind it via @highcountrynews article in profile 🏞 ... #wildflowers #moabutah #moab #utah #climatechange #invasivespecies #lasalmountains #lasals
Checking in with a friend ... Though the southern Checking in with a friend ... Though the southern part of the La Sal mountains is still mainly closed due to someone’s negligence, our local mountains’ northern part still beckons as a respite from the heat. … I did a quick sub-24hr overnighter this past weekend to enjoy a different part of the mountains, scope out some future camping spots for Joan and me, and assess the road conditions. …. I saw lots of wildflowers (including an actual siting of the extremely rare La Sal Daisy), alpine terrain and enjoyed the quiet of the lesser-explored peaks. #hiking #backpacking #camping #Utah #Moab #MoabUtah #LaSals #LaSalMountains
A San Juan Stroll ... With Joan visiting her famil A San Juan Stroll ... With Joan visiting her family, catching up with friends, and off on some great hikes, I'm off on my own for about the next month. And that means some walks I've meant to tackle. ... This past weekend I returned to a place I last visited 18 years ago in the San Juans and made a route out of it. ... Alpine lakes, ridgeline walks, lots of wildflowers, and I even crested a 13er for good measure. All reminders of why I find the San Juan mountains my favorite in Colorado and grateful they are so close to where we live. ... #hiking #backpacking #camping #Colorado #SanJuanMountains #SanJuans
Ending campfire romanticism … With nearly 90% of Ending campfire romanticism … With nearly 90% of wildfires caused by humans and 92% of wildfires more significant than 1000 ha (2400+ acres) started by humans in the American West, we need to stop building backcountry campfires. … Regulating when and where campfires occur certainly helps. But we need a cultural change, too. Organizations such @leavenotracecenter periodicals such as @outsidemagazine or @backpackermag , gear sellers such @rei need to stop having ads or features associating campfires with the backcountry experience. The world’s hotter, drier, and more prone to wildfires. Esp with people new to the backcountry coming into the wild places for the first time. … But most of all, you and I need to make a difference. Speak up, educate, write to some of the organizations I named, perhaps your favorite gear company or even an internet-famous person. Help end the romanticism of backcountry campfires. … There’s a romanticism of them. A romanticism that is best left in the past and not compatible with the 21st-century world. … Further thoughts via link in profile. … #campfires, #climatechange #wildfires #LNT #backpacking #hiking #camping .. Illustration from the free clipart archive via “zhengdacool” at Vecteezy. …
San Juan Summer … A delight of living in Moab is San Juan Summer … A delight of living in Moab is the closeness of the Colorado San Juans. In the past, I’d have to take vacation time or squeeze in holiday weekends to see arguably the most scenic range in Colorado. …. Now? We can be parked at a trailhead or camped in a dispersed area in fewer than three hours and easily backpack some of the lesser-known nooks and crannies of this range. .. A highlight of this weekend found us on the summit of an obscure 12300’ at twilight. And from this summit, we could see the expanse of the 13ers and 14ers that make up this iconic range of Colorado. And I know we’ll come again more this summer. …. #Colorado #hiking #backpacking #SanJuans #SanJuanMountains #wildflowers #camping
Who knew? It's #worldturtleday. ... #hiking #campi Who knew? It's #worldturtleday. ... #hiking #camping #backpackpacking #florida #georgia
La Sal photos .... #LaSalMountains #hiking #campin La Sal photos .... #LaSalMountains #hiking #camping #Backpacking
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