Live from Austin: Paul Magnanti, aka "PMags," on Hot Gear Takes, Public Lands, & Hiking the Southwest (BPR #305)

In today’s episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, and brought to you by Topo Athletic, we’re coming to you live from Austin, Texas with our guest, Paul Magnanti, aka Mags, aka Pmags. A longtime co-host of The Trail Show and a triple crowner, Pmags has spent decades exploring trails across the country, with a special love for the Southwest. We dive into the future of public lands, hear some of his hot takes on gear,  including his love for 100-weight fleece pullovers, his beef with sun hoodies, and where hikers tend to overspend, and get a look at his go-to "snivel gear." Pmags also shares stories from some of his lesser-known adventures, including the Ring the Peak Trail, A Walk Across Southern Utah, the Northern New Mexico Loop, the Grand Moab Route, and the Southeast Utah Group Circuit. 

We wrap out the show with a rundown of the best sections of the Appalachian Trail (spoiler: #1 shocked our live audience), a "stupid thing of the week" (lost phone edition), a "gross or not gross" (chapstick edition), and the triple crown of trail towns.

Topo Athletic: Use code “TREKWINTER15” at topoathletic.com.

Gossamer Gear: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off packs at gossamergear.com. 

Betterment: Learn more at betterment.com/trek.

Burgeon Outdoor: Use code “BACKPACKER15” for 15% off at burgeonoutdoor.com.

Purple Rain Skirts: Use code “BACKPACKER20” for 20% off at purplerainskirts.com.

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Interview with Paul Magnanti

• PMag's Website
• PMag's Instagram

Time stamps & Questions

00:07:05 - Reminders: Sign up for the Trek’s newsletter, listen to our episodes ad-free on Patreon, and apply to blog for the Trek! Trek booth location

00:10:00 - Introducing PMags

00:10:40 - What’s your backpacking origin story?

00:12:17 - Have you backpacked in Texas?

00:14:00 - How many people in Rhode Island backpack?

00:16:25 - Tell us about being a “structured rambler” and living in Moab

00:19:20 - What advice do you have for thru-hikers to incorporate more rambling into their hikes?

00:21:30 - What’s your backpacking resume?

00:24:15 - What’s your take on what’s happening with public lands?

00:28:47 - What do you look for in a headlamp?

00:35:00 - Tell us your opinion about sun hoodies

00:40:40 - Have you had a midlife crisis yet?

00:41:30 - Tell us about your wife!

00:43:22 - Are you worried about microplastics?

00:45:02 - What camera do you use