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Home » Archive for  Musings (Page 10)

Category: Musings

My views on life, the universe, and everything.

Backcountry Moratorium in Arches National Park

Posted onNovember 15, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags18 Comments

The backcountry is currently closed effectively in Arches National Park. And camping will soon be, too. At least for a little bit. Some thoughts. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsColorado Plateau, utah, Wildness

Wild places: Islands in the sea?

Posted onNovember 3, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Some thoughts on recent events that perhaps show how increasingly rare wild places will become in the coming years. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsactivism, favorite, Wildness

Musings on Hatch Green Chile, 4oz can

Posted onOctober 6, 2016November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

And now for a review of something that is very important: An item of food. Why? Because if you don’t think food is important, you don’t backpack enough. 😉 Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, food, luxury items, New Mexico

Wonderful fall

Posted onSeptember 28, 2016September 28, 2016AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Fall. The best time to be outside. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, camping, Fall, hiking

The AliExpress wormhole

Posted onSeptember 27, 2016April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

AliExpress is becoming more and more of a choice for outdoor gear. Some observations. Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagsbudget gear

FKT meets Jerry Springer

Posted onSeptember 23, 2016September 24, 2016AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

Another FKT record. And then another controversy. So it goes. And will probably be how it will go again next year. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsFKT

Happy 100th birthday to the NPS!

Posted onAugust 25, 2016November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Today is the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service. And that also means the lesser known National Monuments are part of this celebration, too Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsAncestral Pueblo, anniversary, Colorado National Monument, Colorado Plateau, High Plains, National Monuments, national park service

Mountain bikes in the wilderness

Posted onAugust 15, 2016December 20, 2017AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Thoughts on mountain bikes in designated wilderness areas. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsmountain bikes, Wildness

Who are you?

Posted onAugust 12, 2016November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

I was asked recently “What kind of hiking am I doing?” Here’s an answer. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsdefinitions, hiking, labels, time bank

Bears and food storage: Looking ahead

Posted onAugust 10, 2016April 26, 2025AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

In the backcountry, regulations mandating bear canisters are becoming more common. I see more of these mandates in the years ahead. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbear canisters, bear resistant food container, bears, ursack

Alphabet Soup Hiking

Posted onAugust 3, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Just a term I use to describe a certain mentality and type of hiking. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsalphabet soup, favorite, thru hiking

Memento mori

Posted onJune 16, 2016February 7, 2017AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Musings on a Roman fresco. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsfresco, Roman, time bank, work life balance

REI’s #optinside campaign

Posted onJune 10, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

Having big sales for the outdoors on weekends rather than weekdays and evenings? Because a lifestyle is being sold. Selling outdoor gear is secondary. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTags#optinside, #optoutside

Maps are dead? Long live maps!

Posted onJune 8, 2016April 12, 2018AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

The death of maps are greatly exaggerated. Here’s why. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagselectronics, maps, navigation

In defense of car camping

Posted onJune 3, 2016January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

I’ve backpacked thousands of miles. But there are times when car camping is preferable. Here’s why I feel that way. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscamping, car camping, favorite, Wildness

Corporate sponsorship in the National Parks?

Posted onMay 17, 2016June 20, 2025AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

The National Park Service is actively courting corporate sponsorship. Is that good? Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsactivism, National Parks, Wildness

Amazon Prime – Perfect for the outdoors person

Posted onMay 16, 2016April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Want to buy outdoor supplies and gear and not a lifestyle? Get an Amazon Prime account. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsAmazon, lifestyle, time bank

Change o’ plans

Posted onMay 13, 2016AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

We can plan. But Ma Nature often decides what we end up doing for a backpacking trip. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsNew Mexico, Pecos Wilderness, Pueblo, Taos

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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.

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We spent a weekend camping, seeing post-Pueblo Revolt structures, and images in the "Land of Enchantment" with @hollywoulddream and @danielgarey
@ramblinghemlock and I changed our plans because our usual March haunts were already pushing 90°F. We headed higher to places we usually visit in May. The blooming paintbrush, greening plants, and the lack of snow on the 11,000+ foot peaks in the distance made me wonder what the coming fire season might bring.
@ramblinghemlock and I have had to do some adulting lately. A career transition and a 1956-era house will do that. It sometimes means skipping overnight trips.
We did some volunteer work for an organization we are active with on Saturday and Sunday, and made it into a local camping trip in between the assignments.
Some local hiking this weekend. I scouted a route for a possible packrafting trip later this month, and on Sunday, @ramblinghemlock and I meandered through a canyon we’ve been curious about for a while.
I can’t imagine this landscape with a wall.

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    • 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
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      • Utah
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      • Clothing and related
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