Skip to content
Menu

Primary Menu

  • 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
      • A Walk Across New England
    • 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
Header Toggle
Facebook Twitter Feed Pinterest YouTube Instagram Reddit
PMags.com
Facebook Twitter Feed Pinterest YouTube Instagram Reddit
Home » Archive for  Getting Started (Page 8)

Category: Getting Started

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

Cowboy Camping – My blanket is the stars above

Posted onOctober 10, 2013November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

  There are many shelters to use when backpacking from simple tarps to hammocks to palatial 4-season tents big and stout enough to weather out a blizzard. But my favorite way of sleeping outside is the simplest: Under the stars, Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, MusingsTagsbackpacking, cowboy camping

Going Stoveless: Cold food for thought

Posted onJune 25, 2013April 13, 2020AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Going stoveless when backpacking is an option that should be looked at more closely. Here’s why. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, campstoves, food, gear, hiking, stoves

Review – CleverHiker.com

Posted onJune 24, 2013February 7, 2017AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A review of the CleverHiker.com video series by Dave Collins Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Gear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, gear, introductory

Lightweight Backpacking 101

Posted onFebruary 3, 2013December 8, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

A quick and dirty overview for transitioning from a traditional backpacker to a lighter weight backpacker. Chart to compare and contrast weights and prices,too Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagslightweight backpacking, lightweight gear, stoves

Sleeping Bags : A Quick and Dirty Overview

Posted onJanuary 16, 2013December 8, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

An overview of sleeping bag types and a discussion of down vs. synthetic sleeping bags. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, camping, gear, sleeping bag

Build a gear sled the dirt bagger way

Posted onDecember 26, 2012November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags16 Comments

For flat or moderate terrain, a gear sled is a great way to haul in gear. Here’s how to build a simple gear sled without breaking the bank. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear, DIY, gear sled, inexpensive, popular, pulk, simple, skiing, snowshoeing, winter

Why Black and White Outdoor Photography?

Posted onNovember 11, 2012November 17, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Here’s some advocacy for black and white outdoor photography. Personally I think B&W photos  can be just as striking as the color photos often done by most outdoor enthusiasts.  

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, gear, hiking, outdoors, photography

Outdoor Photography – Point and Shoot or DSLR?

Posted onOctober 17, 2012November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Taking photos when outdoors is a great way to capture memories of outdoor adventures. But which camera to bring? A Point Shoot (P&S) or a DSLR?  

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, gear, hiking, photography

Recycling Backpacking Fuel Canisters

Posted onAugust 13, 2012April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags15 Comments

The easy and safe way to recycle backpacking fuel canisters without needing to buy extra tools.
Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, fuel canisters, iso-butane, stoves

Review: The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear Guide

Posted onJune 19, 2012November 25, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A review of  The Ultimate Hiker’s Gear  Guide by Andrew Skurka.  A guide that is aimed towards the backpacker that wishes to hike more and camp a bit less.  

CategoriesBooks and Media, Getting StartedTagsbackpacking, books, gear, hiking, lightweight, review

New Insoles: Simple change with a big difference

Posted onMay 12, 2012April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Replacing the factory insoles with something new is a trick many experienced backpackers know about. But not everyone does. Here’s why it should be done. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, Quick TipsTagsarch supports, feet, footwear, inserts, insoles, quick tip

Wilderness First Aid : A Minimalist View

Posted onApril 23, 2012August 12, 2026AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Wilderness First Aid is a basic certification for the assessing, treating and stabilizing of a person’s injuries in the backcountry.  But how does the (sometimes) gear and equipment focused backcountry medicine co-exist with a more minimalist view? Here is my Read More …

CategoriesGetting Started, MusingsTagsgear, ultralite, wilderness first aid

Backpacking: A Beginners Primer

Posted onApril 16, 2012December 8, 2025AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

A primer  I wrote for people new to backpacking. With a beginners backpacking gear list, too. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsbackpacking, Colorado, gear list, lightweight backpacking

Review: Rocky Mountain Wildflowers Pocket Guide

Posted onApril 11, 2012January 3, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A review of an excellent guide to the wildflowers found in the Colorado Rockies. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, Getting StartedTagsbooks, Colorado, colorado-tip, gear, wildflowers

Snowshoer

Introduction to Snowshoeing Basics

Posted onDecember 5, 2011April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

An article on the introduction to snowshoeing basics for enjoying this wonderful winter past time! Covers clothing, gear, the layering principle, a snowshoeing gear checklist and wool vs. synthetics comparison. Read More …

CategoriesGetting StartedTagsColorado, gear list, snowshoeing, winter

The Path to Enlightenment – Boulder Weekly

Posted onJune 30, 2011June 30, 2011AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Not my original title for this article..but so it goes. 🙂 The original title of this article was "Lighten the load; not the wallet" ; a quick crash course in how to dirt bag. Not tips new to anyone in Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, PressTagsbackpacking, gear, lightweight, lightweight backpacking

Dirt Bagging – A minimalist gear philsophy

Posted onNovember 5, 2010April 29, 2020AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A version of this document has appeared in Yogi’s PCT Handbook and on various hiking boards. It  is also  in the current  edition of the Colorado Trail Guidebook.  My overview of lightweight backpacking.   One sunny, summer day in Maine, Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagsbudget gear, dirt bagging

Styrofoam Cup Water Bottle

Drop In The Bottle – Water Treament in the Backcountry

Posted onNovember 5, 2010April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

An overview and comparison of ways to treat water in the backcountry for hiking, backpacking and camping. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting StartedTagslightweight backpacking, lightweight gear, water treatment

Post navigation

← Older posts
Newer posts →

Virtual tip jar

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 

One of Joan’s favorites!

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

  • REI: Shop Deal of the Day at REI Garage!
  • REI: Outlet 50% off deals
  • REI: Official Coupons and Rebates page
  • REI: Used Gear Store

PMags Instagram

@ramblinghemlock and I had some company in town this weekend, along with some very muddy roads. A quick trip to a place just off the pavement proved perfect for our needs. Plenty of water-filled potholes, great views from the canyon rim, and a memorable sunset.
Snow in our local mountains yesterday and today. And, of course, flooding in the desert. Much-needed precip, but the wet, heavy New England-style snow caused quite a few blowdowns. Gonna be interesting...
"The mayor of Willcox in southern Arizona is optimistic that Chiricahua National Monument will soon be the country’s 64th National Park.
A few days on the Colorado Plateau. We saw new sites, revisited old favorites, and enjoyed a solo hike while @ramblinghemlock took a class at the nearby @crow_canyon
Bearing witness in a changed, post-fire landscape. Fire and flood shape the environment; some history passes away, while other traces remain untouched. The land eventually recovers: Some of it recently, some of it long after my lifetime.
On a rare group trip, we heard rain overnight and woke to this raging torrent. After the Babylon Fire, flooding was inevitable. The water carried a lot of ash.

PMags Popular Posts

  • Popular
  • Comments
  • Latest
  • Today Week Month All
  • The Colorado Trail “End to End” Guide The Colorado Trail “End to End" Guide
  • Backpacking Loops – Mags Favorites Backpacking Loops – Mags Favorites
  • The Frugal Backpacker – The $300 Gear Challenge The Frugal Backpacker - The $300 Gear Challenge
  • A Quick and Dirty CDT Guide A Quick and Dirty CDT Guide
  • PCT trail marker A Quick and Dirty Guide to The Pacific Crest Trail
  • Stove Comparison – Real World Use Stove Comparison – Real World Use
  • Talus vs. Scree – What is the difference? Talus vs. Scree - What is the difference?
  • Ground Cloths : A quick overview Ground Cloths : A quick overview
  • Build a gear sled the dirt bagger way Build a gear sled the dirt bagger way
  • From GIS Sleepings Pads - A grounded view
  • GPS mileage discrepancies – Updated Oct 2026 GPS mileage discrepancies – Updated Oct 2026
  • Potholes and canyon rims Potholes and canyon rims
  • The Quiver: Our Backpacking Stoves in 2026 The Quiver: Our Backpacking Stoves in 2026
  • Rain Mitt #3 – Biohazard mitts  UPDATE OCT 2026 Rain Mitt #3 – Biohazard mitts UPDATE OCT 2026
  • Brave New Industrial Tourism – Chiricahua National Park Brave New Industrial Tourism – Chiricahua National Park
  • Using our stove during a quick camping trip. Photo from Joan. Hiking some ancient canyons
  • Bearing Witness: Fire, Flood, and a Changed Landscape Bearing Witness: Fire, Flood, and a Changed Landscape
  • Tragedy of The Commons Tragedy of The Commons
  • Above Capitol Reef Above Capitol Reef
  • Book Review – This Vast Enterprise a New History of Lewis and Clark Book Review – This Vast Enterprise a New History of Lewis and Clark
  • Today Week Month All
  • Potholes and canyon rims Potholes and canyon rims
Ajax spinner

Archives

Recent Comments

  • Paul Mags on Potholes and canyon rims
  • Ryan on Potholes and canyon rims
  • Paul Mags on The Quiver: Our Backpacking Stoves in 2026
  • Paul Mags on Potholes and canyon rims
  • Ryan on Potholes and canyon rims

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.

 

© 2026 - PMags.com - All Rights Reserved -Privacy Policy
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
      • A Walk Across New England
    • 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

Subscribe to PMags.com

  • Receive an email notification of new posts direct to your inbox once a week.
  • Old school text email digest
  • It is easy!

ClickHereButton

×