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Home » Archive for  Musings (Page 16)

Category: Musings

My views on life, the universe, and everything.

Death of Backpacking – A response

Posted onJuly 24, 2014February 4, 2026AuthorPaul Mags33 Comments

A recent article in High Country News was titled The Death of Backpacking. Hyperbole? No basis in fact? My own .05 worth… Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, hiking, Wildness

Cadillac Desert: A re-visit

Posted onJune 26, 2014May 16, 2021AuthorPaul Mags5 Comments

An overlook at a favorite book of mine: Cadillac Desert. Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, MusingsTagsAmerican West, books, Cadillac Desert, climate, water, water rights

Gossamer Gear blog post: The Weekend Warrior

Posted onJune 4, 2014July 21, 2017AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

A guest post I made over on the Gossamer Gear blog site: The Weekend Warrior

CategoriesMusings, PressTagsbackpacking, hiking, S24O

The Liebster Award

Posted onMay 29, 2014February 4, 2026AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

My contribution to the latest trend making the hiking website circle: The Liebster Award.

CategoriesMusings, PMags NewsTagsLiebster Award

Thoughts on Colin Fletcher

Posted onMay 26, 2014April 9, 2020AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

Some musings on a favorite quote from a favorite book by Colin Fletcher Read More …

CategoriesBooks and Media, MusingsTagsbackpacking, books, Colin Fletcher, hiking, journey

Thru-Hikers: Specialized outdoors knowledge

Posted onMay 15, 2014January 3, 2021AuthorPaul Mags17 Comments

Thru-hikers have extensive experience in the outdoors. But it is a very specialized experience.
Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, favorite, hiking, thru hiking

The Joy of the short stroll

Posted onMay 9, 2014May 9, 2014AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Enjoy the outdoor time any chance you get. Even if it just a short stroll.

CategoriesMusingsTagshiking, strolling, wildflowers

If I did it again – The Big Three Trails

Posted onMay 6, 2014February 4, 2026AuthorPaul Mags11 Comments

What if I did the Appalachian, Pacific Crest and Continental Divide trails again? Here’s what I’d do   A fairly common question on the hiking forums  from people new to thru-hiking is asking “What would you do differently on your Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, hiking, triple crown

Why Solo Wilderness Adventures?

Posted onApril 16, 2014March 27, 2017AuthorPaul Mags6 Comments

Why solo wilderness adventures? What is it about being alone in the wilderness that may be appealing to certain people? Here’s my own personal perspective. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, hiking, solo

TrailGroove Magazine

Trail Groove Issue 14

Posted onMarch 31, 2014December 28, 2016AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

The latest issue of Trail Groove is out. In this issue are two articles I wrote.   Trail Groove Issue 14 is out and I am again fortunate to write some articles for this magazine I am a big fan Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, hiking, shoulder season, Trail Groove

Phew!

Posted onMarch 21, 2014February 20, 2019AuthorPaul Mags2 Comments

Life has been busy…and I am catching up!

CategoriesMusingsTagstime bank, work life balance

Real World vs Chaos

Posted onFebruary 21, 2014February 4, 2026AuthorPaul Mags9 Comments

The Real World vs Chaos. Or free time vs work time.
Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, hiking, life, work life balance

Post-Trip Gear List

Posted onFebruary 13, 2014November 25, 2023AuthorPaul Mags7 Comments

A few luxury items for after the trip makes the drive home a little more pleasant. Makes a nice transition between the outdoors and home time, too. Read More …

CategoriesGear, Musings, Quick TipsTagsbackpacking, gear, gear list, hiking, quick tip

Backpacking weight mania!

Posted onJanuary 10, 2014February 4, 2026AuthorPaul Mags4 Comments

Lightweight backpacking is a good thing. Getting obsessed over the labels? Not so much.

Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, gear, hiking, lightweight

Don’t get stuck – Winter trailhead driving

Posted onJanuary 7, 2014November 2, 2021AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

More people seem to get stuck on the way to or from the winter trail head. Here’s some advice on how not to get stuck…or what to do if you do. Read More …

CategoriesGear, MusingsTagscar camping, driving, trail head, winter

A look back at 2013

Posted onJanuary 2, 2014December 29, 2014AuthorPaul Mags1 Comment

Highlights of 2013…and hopes for 2014

CategoriesMusings, PMags NewsTags2013, hiking, outdoors. trips, year in review

The Thermos – Best Winter Gear Ever?

Posted onDecember 11, 2013April 25, 2025AuthorPaul Mags3 Comments

A look at why I take a thermos on winter outings Read More …

CategoriesGear, Getting Started, MusingsTagsgear, thermos, winter

Website of the week – Winter Trekking

Posted onDecember 4, 2013November 17, 2023AuthorPaul MagsLeave a comment

With the cold weather hitting Colorado, my mind is turning to winter. Read More …

CategoriesMusingsTagsbackpacking, camping, skiing, Website of the week, winter

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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

Our original plan had to be modified due to the weather. Putting in long miles on a dirt road with thunderstorms rolling through would not have made for a good weekend.
A couple of days meandering near Moab.
Moody day in Moab
@ramblinghemlock and I spent one last day in Wisconsin. We visited Aztalan State Park, where ancestral mound builders established an outlier connected to Cahokia further downriver. A few hundred people lived here, shaping a piece of history I did not learn about until well into my 20s.
Another day meandering through Wisconsin woods and prairie. We hiked along rivers, visited a natural landmark once used by voyageurs, and saw pictographs, petroglyphs, and mounds left by the ancestors of the Ho-Chunk people.
A rain and cold day means "section hiking" the Ice Age Trail where @ramblinghemlock 's folks live here in town.

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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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    • 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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      • Colorado
      • New Mexico
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      • Water containers
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