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Home » Archive for  Getting Started

Category: Getting Started

Some articles if you are just starting in the outdoors. Or want to pick up some new ideas.

Map, Compass, GPS: Not Either/Or, But All of the Above

Posted onJuly 12, 2025July 12, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A collection of my Reddit posts. cleaned up and expanded, with thoughts on how maps, compasses, and GPS all work together in the field. It’s not about which tool is “better,” but how they complement each other. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagscompass, electronics, maps, navigation

Words of wisdom from 1877

Posted onApril 25, 2025April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

How to Camp by John M. Gould was written 150 years ago. But it still has some practical advice applicable for any outdoors person today. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Gear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, books, camping, favorite

Budget camping gear

Posted onMarch 7, 2025April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Car camping serves as a useful introduction to the outdoors for many. And a useful adjunct to other trips for the experienced. How to equip affordably? Updated March 2025. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsbudget gear, car camping, gear list

Quick Tip – Arizona Tea one liter bottle

Posted onJuly 16, 2024July 18, 2024AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Gatorade bottle is early 2000s, get the full one liter goodness of Arizona iced tea. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsbudget gear, Joan West, quick tip, water containers

Solid (Classic) Fleece vs Grid Fleece vs. Alpha fleece

Posted onMarch 28, 2024April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

What are the functional differences between grid. Alpha, and solid (classic) fleece? Revised March 2024 Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsclothing, fleece

The Budget Backpacking Kit

Posted onMarch 24, 2024April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags20 Comments

A sequel of sorts to my $300 gear challenge. A little over $800 and 10 lbs for a kit that is light, functional, and easily, assembled. Updated Mar 2024. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear, gear list, Six Moon Designs

The long winter nights – What to do?

Posted onJanuary 7, 2024January 7, 2024AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Winter backpacking means solitude, gorgeous winter light, and long nights. Here’s what Joan and I find works to make those long nights enjoyable. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagswinter

Dirt Bagger Winter Stove Platform

Posted onDecember 12, 2023April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

How to build an inexpensive  stove platform for winter backpacking. Bonus: doubles as a heat reflector.
Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsbackpacking, blue foam, budget gear, DIY, gear, heat reflector, myog, quick tip, stove base, stove platform, winter

Start here: My unofficial outdoor guidebook

Posted onAugust 16, 2023August 20, 2023AuthorPaul Mags18 Comments

Here’s a quick reference to articles that will be useful for anyone starting out with camping, hiking, or backpacking in all four seasons. Updated Aug 2023. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, Quick and Dirty GuidesTagsbeginners, quick and dirty

Sun protection techniques

Posted onNovember 8, 2022April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Some of the gear, clothing, and techniques we use for sun protection when hiking and backpacking. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagssun protection

A properly attired hiker: Blaze orange in hunting season

Posted onOctober 5, 2022April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags26 Comments

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

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, blaze orange, hiking, hunting, popular

How to find dispersed camping sites?

Posted onSeptember 28, 2021September 30, 2021AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Designated sites can be practical. But Joan and I prefer dispersed sites for our camping. Here are some ideas on how to find dispersed (free) campsites. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagscar camping, LNT, maps

Pee rag – Kula Cloth vs. cotton bandanna

Posted onSeptember 14, 2021April 27, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

With over six months of active use, Joan looks at the well-known Kula Cloth and compares it to the more budget-minded bandanna from the past decade-plus of use. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsgear review, health, hygiene, Joan West, LNT

Training for a long distance hike?

Posted onJuly 28, 2021July 28, 2021AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

Here are my thoughts on training for a thru-hike or any long hike. I don’t think of it as training; I think of it as part of daily life. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsexercise, training

Best shoes for water crossings?

Posted onJuly 27, 2021April 27, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

My opinion on the best shoes for water crossings. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsfording, shoes

Bear spray canister copy/pasta

Posted onJuly 23, 2021November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags12 Comments

More people insist they need bear spray when venturing into black bear country because “it is better to have it and not need it.”—my boilerplate response. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, MusingsTagsbears

There’s an app for that – 2021 edition

Posted onDecember 29, 2020December 29, 2020AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

The outdoor apps I use for my mobile device currently and plan on using in the coming year. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsapps, electronics

How to get outdoor trip ideas

Posted onNovember 25, 2020August 5, 2024AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

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

CategoriesGetting Started, Trip PlanningTagsbackpacking, trip ideas

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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

The Squak Swell Sun Hoodie

Women’s Swell  | Men’s Swell

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

  • REI: Shop Deal of the Day at REI Garage!
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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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  • Home
  • Ramblings
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    • Books and Media
    • Videos
    • From The Web
    • Thru Hikes, Long Walks, or Routes
      • My Alphabet Soup summary
      • 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
      • A Walk Across Southern Utah
      • Great Divide Trail (Canada)
      • The Northern New Mexico Loop
      • Grand – Moab Route
      • SEUG Circuit
    • Other Outdoor Jaunts
      • Utah
      • Colorado
      • New Mexico
      • Arizona
      • California
      • Florida
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      • New England
      • Nevada
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
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    • PMags News
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  • Nuts and Bolts
    • New to the outdoors? Start here!
    • Getting Started
    • Quick Tips
    • Trip Planning
    • Quick and Dirty Guides
    • Food
    • Gear
      • All Gear Posts
      • Gear Reviews
      • Gear Quivers
      • Gear Lists
      • Budget Gear
      • What I’m Wearing
      • Clothing and related
      • Footwear
      • Packs
      • Shelters and related
      • Sleeping bags, quilts, and pads
      • Stoves, cooking, and related
      • Tools
      • Water containers
    • Road trip and car camping – gear and techniques
    • Winter trip reports, gear overviews, tips, and techniques
  • Subscribe by email
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    • Who is Paul Mags?
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