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Home » Archive for  Getting Started (Page 2)

Category: Getting Started

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

Sleeping systems – Joan’s Picks

Posted onAugust 31, 2020April 25, 2025AuthorJoan4 Comments

Joan’s thoughts on sleeping systems for winter, cowboy camping, hammock camping, and more and what works best for her. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsJoan West, quil, sleeping bag, sleeping pads, wintert

How to get ultralight?

Posted onJuly 30, 2020August 3, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

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 …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, MusingsTagsultralight

Intro to Backpacking: Part 6 – Navigation Basics

Posted onMay 14, 2020May 14, 2020AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

The sixth chapter in our series – An introductory look at map, compass, and electronic navigation resources. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, VideosTagselectronics, navigation, videos

Intro to Backpacking: Part 5 – Water Treatment Concepts

Posted onMay 7, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Why and how to treat water; and why washing those hands might be just as important. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsvideos, water treatment

Intro to Backpacking: Part 4 – Backcountry Food

Posted onMay 5, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Part 4 in this series will discuss options for food in the backcountry with an emphasis on food purchased at the local grocery store. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, VideosTagsfood, videos

Intro to Backpacking: Part 3 – Deciding where to go: risk management & factors to consider

Posted onMay 3, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Part 3 – Deciding where to go: risk management & factors to consider. I discuss different factors on deciding where to go. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, Trip PlanningTagsdiscovery, planning, safety, trip ideas, videos

Intro to Backpacking Pt 2- Shelter options

Posted onApril 29, 2020April 27, 2025AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

In this video, we’ll look at different shelter options available to backpackers ranging, why cowboy camping works so well, and some info on groundsheets. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, VideosTagsshelters, videos

Intro to Backpacking Pt 1- Backpacking vs Car Camping Gear

Posted onApril 27, 2020April 29, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Part One of a multi-part video series I’m doing on Intro to Backpacking. Looking at car camping and backpacking gear differences with some budget options. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, VideosTagsbudget gear, videos

Coffee for backpacking and camping

Posted onApril 14, 2020April 14, 2020AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

My methods for making coffee when backpacking or camping. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagscar camping, coffee, food

Stuck at home? Some skills to learn

Posted onMarch 27, 2020March 27, 2020AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

If you have to stay at home, now is the time to brush up your outdoor skill set. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsbooks, cooking, knots, LNT, navigation

Etsy – lightweight, inexpensive, and useful gear

Posted onFebruary 13, 2020February 4, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Etsy often means tchotchkes for oddball things. But it also offers a surprising array of backpacking items from individuals or small businesses. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear, gloves, winter

Thoughts on hiking solo

Posted onJanuary 24, 2020April 26, 2025AuthorJoan17 Comments

Joan shares some thoughts on her solo hiking experience. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, MusingsTagsJoan West, solo

The Joy of Car Camping – Base Camping for the active outdoors person

Posted onDecember 5, 2019April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags20 Comments

An extensive guide to car camping. Includes suggested equipment, clothing, gear and a gear checklist. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagscar camping

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

Quick Tip: Firearms oil for pole maintenance

Posted onNovember 28, 2019September 6, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

With oil used to lubricate and clean firearms and some simple scrub brushes, you’ll keep your hiking and ski poles in optimal condition. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsgear maintenance, poles, quick tip

Communication technology options: A vendor neutral view

Posted onNovember 18, 2019April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

An overlook at various options for communication technology in the backcountry for personal use, emergency, commercial, or search and rescue applications. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagscommunication, connectivity, electronics, wilderness first aid

Wilderness First Responder course – Overall impressions

Posted onNovember 15, 2019April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Some thoughts and impressions on my experience of taking the Wilderness First Responder (WFR) course through NOLS. Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, MusingsTagsWFA, WFR, wilderness first aid

What’s in your mail drop?

Posted onOctober 30, 2019October 30, 2019AuthorJoan5 Comments

Joan details what she places in her maildrops for long hikes and why. With a focus on her cold food (no stove) strategy.

Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsfood, Joan West, mail drops

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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 Woolie   

Women’s Woolie | Men’s Woolie

The Squak Swell Sun Hoodie

Women’s Swell  | Men’s Swell

The Squak Alpha Fleece V2

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

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Scroll Up
  • Home
  • Ramblings
    • Musings
    • 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
      • Georgia
      • Nebraska
      • New England
      • Nevada
      • North Carolina
      • Oregon
      • South Dakota
      • Texas
      • Wyoming
    • Photos
    • PMags News
    • Press
  • 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
  • Write Me
  • About PMags.com
    • Who is Paul Mags?
    • About Joan West
      • Joan’s articles

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