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Home » Archive for  Musings (Page 13)

Category: Musings

My views on life, the universe, and everything.

Smart Phone Camera Photography

Posted onJuly 1, 2015July 6, 2019AuthorPaul Mags10 Comments

Some thoughts on smart phone camera photography. Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagscamera, phone, photography

Filthy Lucre

Posted onJune 2, 2015June 19, 2017AuthorPaul Mags13 Comments

The phenomenon of people criticizing others from profiting on the outdoors. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscareer, critics, hiking, money

Another Wednesday Reset

Posted onMay 14, 2015August 30, 2017AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A blissful after work hike Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagshiking, Wednesday Reset, work life balance

Outdoor Failures – What we learn from not meeting goals

Posted onMay 12, 2015November 28, 2018AuthorPaul Mags13 Comments

Thoughts on not meeting personal goals in the outdoors. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, goals, hiking, running, time bank

Senate Amendment 838 – Our lands for sale

Posted onMay 11, 2015October 31, 2018AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

A newly passed, if symbolic, amendment could affect how our public lands are administered. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsactivism, Murkowski, public lands, SA 838

The Perfect Campsite

Posted onMay 6, 2015November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

The perfect campsite is more that just a list of bullet points to check off. The perfect campsite is something less tangible. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, camp sites, camping

East to the Wildness

Posted onApril 22, 2015November 17, 2023AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

To the east, on the The Great Plains, may just be where wildness is located. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagscamping, High Plains, hiking, The Great Plains, Wildness

April Showers

Posted onApril 16, 2015November 17, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

Snow in April means it is spring. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsColorado, spring, wildflowers

To the happy place

Posted onApril 15, 2015February 7, 2017AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

In order to get the time off I need next month, I had to juggle my on-call schedule.  I am on now call for two out of three weeks this month. (Normally it is one out of six weeks) And Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, time bank, work life balance

Are you going “Hiking” this year?

Posted onApril 10, 2015June 19, 2017AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

The capital “H” means long trails with a designated route. The answer is no. And probably not for a while. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, hiking, thru hiking

FKT, OKT, YKT and OK-Dokee : The Roger Banister effect

Posted onMarch 19, 2015March 24, 2015AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Some thoughts on trail records and their impact. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, FKT, hiking, records, ykt

Gossamer Gear Blog : Time for a Walk

Posted onFebruary 24, 2015July 19, 2017AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A recent post I wrote for the Gossamer Gear website about shorter thru-hikes. At this stage in my life, I want to get out as much as I can. But taking off for 4-6 months may not be an option. Read More …

CategoriesMusings, PressTagsGossamer Gear, short hikes

Technology, gear and decision making

Posted onFebruary 23, 2015November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

Some recent thoughts on the recent tragedy in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. And how gear and technology can only go far. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsdisaster, New Hampshire, technology, White Mountains, winter

Grassroots to organized – The changing nature of thru-hikes

Posted onFebruary 11, 2015January 3, 2019AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

The nature of The Triple Crown hiking trails are changing rapidly. Here’s the how, why and what the changes (possibly) mean.
Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsthru-hikes, trail angels

And now a PSA

Posted onFebruary 5, 2015January 1, 2020AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Critters can be a problem…even at the trail head.

CategoriesMusingsTagsmarmot, rodents, trailheads

At the temple of gear – The Winter OR show

Posted onJanuary 28, 2015April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Three days at the winter OR: Seeing a lot of gear, seeing a lot of friends and pitching in to help a good cause.

CategoriesGear, Musings, PMags NewsTagsOutdoor Retailer show, The Trail Show, Winter OR

Tools of the trade

Posted onJanuary 16, 2015December 8, 2023AuthorPaul Mags8 Comments

Gear is just a tool. And it really does not state anything beyond that. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsgear, navel gazing, tools

Backcountry mobile device etiquette

Posted onJanuary 14, 2015January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Thoughts on possible etiquette for mobile devices in the backcountry. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackcountry, connectivity, electronics, favorite, mobile devices, Wilderness Ethics, Wildness

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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 

One of Joan’s favorites!

The Squak Alpha Fleece 

                                                                    

– 15% off coupon = PMAGS-SQUAK                                                                                                      

  • REI: Shop Deal of the Day at REI Garage!
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  • REI: Official Coupons and Rebates page
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PMags Instagram

@ramblinghemlock and I scouted a route for a future trip, visiting a few places that were new to us and returning to others we hadn’t seen in some time. There’s something about the December light that makes the canyon country feel sublime.
Day 2 in the volunteer office
A day in the (volunteer) office with @moabtrailmix
@ramblinghemlock and I had to do some “adulting” this past week with a new roof, and the contractors wrapped up late yesterday afternoon. We squeezed in a short hike yesterday and a longer one today. Both hikes were local and perfect for this time of year.
Ultralight Catechism: When a Toolkit Becomes Dogma
New gear we liked for 2025: Solid, reliable tools that kept @ramblinghemlock and me warm, fed, and comfortable from the desert to the mountains. A mix of DIY, cottage gear, higher-end pieces, and budget picks — just the things that worked for two people who try to get outdoors as much as they can.

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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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  • 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
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      • New England
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      • North Carolina
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    • 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
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      • 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
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