Getting Started – PMags.com https://pmags.com Practical advice and musings on the outdoors, hiking, backpacking, ski touring, and camping. Sun, 26 Apr 2026 22:14:11 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://pmags.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/cropped-fav-ico-160x160.jpg Getting Started – PMags.com https://pmags.com 32 32 81463906 Backpacking and Car camping – Two tools in the timebank kit https://pmags.com/backpacking-and-car-camping-two-tools-in-the-timebank-kit https://pmags.com/backpacking-and-car-camping-two-tools-in-the-timebank-kit#comments Mon, 20 Apr 2026 19:22:23 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=43733 Backpacking and Car camping – Two tools in the timebank kit

We often treat backpacking and car camping as separate categories. They're not. They're two tools that add to the overall time outside. Some thoughts. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/backpacking-and-car-camping-two-tools-in-the-timebank-kit/feed 7 43733 Standard vs Grid vs Alpha vs Octa Fleece for Backpacking: Real-World Pros and Cons https://pmags.com/solid-standard-fleece-vs-grid-fleece https://pmags.com/solid-standard-fleece-vs-grid-fleece#comments Wed, 18 Feb 2026 20:00:01 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=17143 Standard vs Grid vs Alpha vs Octa Fleece for Backpacking: Real-World Pros and Cons

Solid, grid, Alpha, and Octa fleece for backpacking and hiking. Real-world durability, breathability, cost, and when each layer works best. Updated Feb 2026. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/solid-standard-fleece-vs-grid-fleece/feed 5 17143 How to get ultralight? https://pmags.com/how-to-get-ultralight https://pmags.com/how-to-get-ultralight#comments Mon, 08 Dec 2025 15:00:17 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=27459 How to get ultralight?

Going ultralight with your gear is a Holy Grail of sorts for many new to backpacking. Here are some thoughts on achieving that goal. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/how-to-get-ultralight/feed 2 27459 Shoulder Season – The Time in Between https://pmags.com/shoulder-season-backpacking-the-time-in-between https://pmags.com/shoulder-season-backpacking-the-time-in-between#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2025 19:13:56 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=2899 Shoulder Season – The Time in Between

You'll often see publications and experienced outdoors people talk about "shoulder season." What is it? And what adjustments do you need to make? Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/shoulder-season-backpacking-the-time-in-between/feed 4 2899 Flying with backpacking gear https://pmags.com/packing-gear-for-traveling https://pmags.com/packing-gear-for-traveling#comments Fri, 26 Sep 2025 16:20:14 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=18254 Flying with backpacking gear

Some tips, pointers, ideas, and caveats about packing backpacking gear when you'll arrive by plane, train, or bus. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/packing-gear-for-traveling/feed 5 18254 A properly attired hiker: Blaze orange in hunting season https://pmags.com/a-properly-attired-hiker-blaze-orange-in-hunting-season https://pmags.com/a-properly-attired-hiker-blaze-orange-in-hunting-season#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2025 13:05:11 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=6390 A properly attired hiker: Blaze orange in hunting season

Different options for the wearing of blaze orange and other hi-vis colors while hiking during peak hunting season. Updated Fall 2025. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/a-properly-attired-hiker-blaze-orange-in-hunting-season/feed 27 6390 Cold and Wet: The Hardest Hiking https://pmags.com/cold-and-wet-the-hardest-hiking https://pmags.com/cold-and-wet-the-hardest-hiking#comments Thu, 04 Sep 2025 19:53:32 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=5217 Cold and Wet: The Hardest Hiking

What to wear in what many people consider to be among the most difficult of conditions: cold and wet. Updated Sept 2025. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/cold-and-wet-the-hardest-hiking/feed 15 5217 Paralysis by Analysis https://pmags.com/paralysis-by-analysis https://pmags.com/paralysis-by-analysis#comments Sat, 09 Aug 2025 03:30:38 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=39098 Paralysis by Analysis

A look at paralysis by analysis that I think stops people from getting out in the wild places. Read More ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/paralysis-by-analysis/feed 3 39098 Map, Compass, GPS: Not Either/Or, But All of the Above https://pmags.com/map-compass-gps-not-either-or-but-all-of-the-above https://pmags.com/map-compass-gps-not-either-or-but-all-of-the-above#comments Sat, 12 Jul 2025 22:55:02 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=38822 Map, Compass, GPS: Not Either/Or, But All of the Above

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 ...

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]]> https://pmags.com/map-compass-gps-not-either-or-but-all-of-the-above/feed 2 38822 Words of wisdom from 1877 https://pmags.com/words-of-wisdom-from-1877 https://pmags.com/words-of-wisdom-from-1877#comments Fri, 25 Apr 2025 14:04:50 +0000 https://pmags.com/?p=10759 Words of wisdom from 1877

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 ...

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