I went up white arrow today. I came out of the woods, and thought I was at the top for a moment, but no long way lots of scrambling up rocks. You're pretty brave I would touch it in the winter.
We were up there on the same day. Went up cascade link, then to spellman, stopped at pumpelly cave then up to the summit. Came down white dot to white cross. There was no one on the mountain, no visibility when we made it up top and our spikes were taking a beating :). Probably not a bad call to bail, it was kinda sketchy.
I freaking love Survivor! But I'm a few episodes behind because work has been crazy :/ Catching up this weekend and watching the finale! Honestly, love that you turned around before the top. Too often we decide to push on even though our better judgement says to turn around. No reason to take unnecessary risks!
Hiked Monadnock in January 1974 from a trail on the west side of the mountain. Crystal clear and very cold weather and tremendous visibility. It was the day after a big storm had blown through. Wind at the summit was probably 30-40 mph and there were several feet of fresh windblown powder. Trail conditions were ok, not much ice just lots of snow. I don't recall seeing other hikers on the trail that day but a group from Dartmouth had recently been there before us and planted their club flag on the summit.
Leave early,bring spikes/poles in winter!,I was up there a few weeks ago and was surprised to see so many people without them,I saw one kid go flying through the air twice. Also had to help a lady off the mountain last year because according to her she bit off more than she could handle. Safety over pride is important on any mountain. Look forward to future hikes young lady your doing it right!🧗🏽♂️
Taylor. Great video. You absolutely did the right thing in turning around. I also mountain hike in the winter and I’ve recently added an emergency survival blanket to my winter hiking kit.
Thanks for turning around and making a video about it! There's absolutely no shame in turning around, and so many people are too "embarrassed" to also showcase those hikes. Novice hikers often get the wrong idea when getting into hiking because people on social media make everything look so easy. Sometimes we don't make it to where we had in mind, and that's okay! Enjoy the journey, and keep putting out great content!
Yes, good choice to turn back. I got caught on an ice covered Mt Chocorua after dark, and I forgot a flashlight. A full moon and clear sky saved my butt.
Good job carrying a compass! I once had to use a map and compass bearing to get off the top of a mountain during a white-out. Flowing the compass successfully kept me from walking off of a cliff. Those ice-covered rock steps looked like "fun"!
Very good video. I like that you were smart and turned around. Please add several things to your survival kit: a HeetSheet survival Blanket(its bigger, tougher, and quieter than mylar blankets), a whistle, an Altoids can(with 2 tealight candles, a large paper clip to hold the lid up and a book of matches in a plastic bag), and a 100' piece of paracord. Learn how to create a hot poncho which would use the HeetSheet and a candle to warm you up. I wish a Merry Christmas and a Happy Healthy New Year to you, your family, and fiance. Good Luck, Rick
Really smart move, Taylor. I feel the same about hiking, best to be safe. I had a friend who hiked Tripyramid in the middle of winter, slid about 100 feet down an icy slide, broke her wrist and had to walk 5 miles out with her hand dangling. The enjoyment, at least for me, isn't all in the end result, I can enjoy a hike without getting to the summit. I also flyfish, and have just as much fun if I catch nothing. For me, it's just getting out there. Happy hiking!
I went up with a friend who didn't have crampons so he waited at treeline while I went to the summit but I didn't pay attention so I went off 90 degrees from my intended descent. Just had to go further to get back but learned to never separate from partners.
Yeah, it was more than partly cloudy up there, it looked windy and cold, you were running short of light, and there weren't a lot of other hikers (or maybe any). Smart move to come back down. I don't know how you could see the White Dot blazes on the rocks above tree line in the snow even during the say. Dark would have made it much worse.
It’s fantastic that you showed there’s no shame in cutting a hike short of a summit when safety is a concern. You’ve hiked mountains before, and because of such sound judgment, you’ll hike them again and again. Kudos to you!
Morning Taylor! What a great day hike planning video. I liked how you went thru your “10” essentials. Great load out! Similar to mine except I throw in snacks and water purification too (filter it tablets depending on the weather) I wish more hikers carried a proper day pack. I have given out so many bandaids to people that don’t bring anything. Monadnock is such a great mountain. Its totally doable by 99% of people and when you get toward the top you are rewarded with some awesome views for you hard work! weather permitting of course! I don’t blame you for stopping at the first overlook, especially with the weather day you had. Some of those scrambles and climbs past that point are tough in the dry! When I did my MST hike I started before dawn at the ranger station and saw no one till I hit the parking lot on the back side of the mountain. I thought for sure I’d see more hikers since it is the “most climbed mountain in the US” and it was a perfectly clear day but I guess everyone slept in! I can’t wait to hit the MST again this summer, it is such a great hike and I owe my love for it to you and your videos so thank you (and Kyle too I guess!) To anyone looking for a 2-4 day hike I highly recommend watching Taylor’s videos and getting out there! You won’t regret it! 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well. -Grateful
That looked like a pretty calm day for Monadnock from the video. Must be like how the steepness of a trail doesn't come across in photos/videos. I hike there alot and have seen some pretty gnarly conditions. I think you would have been fine to go for the summit had it been earlier in the day, but only you know the right call and given the time of day and being solo it sound like it was the right call. Ive turned around before the summit there a few times. No regrets. You get to stay safe and hike another day. Enjoyed this video of my favorite mountain. Definitely branch out and try some of the less travelled paths there. Even on the busiest summer days you can find solitude from the crowds.
Good decision Taylor. The mountain will always be there tomorrow. I have been turned around twice on Monadnock in winter as it can get pretty sketchy and hard to keep track of the trail when it is snowing or cloudy. I think you have done Pack Monadnock Mt. but have you done North Pack and then over to South Pack? Great hike is you can car spot. Thank you for all of your great videos.
I think I saw you that day! I hiked that day up the Marlboro trail and made the choice to continue on to the summit despite it being socked in. It was not a good choice, not only because of the ice but because the visibility was so low at the summit and winds were so strong. Cairns were almost not visible! And yes, no one was up there at all. Anyways, I’m glad you made the decision to head down when you did!
Over the years I've hiked that mountain many times (Dublin Trail was my favorite) - and on more than one occasion the weather compelled me to pull the abort handle. Common sense is way better than getting injured making a pointless gesture!
Another awesome video. Great content on what you carry and I agree always better to be safe. Off to subscribe to your other site. Enjoy and happy holidays
Seems like off-hours on a weekday is definitely the time to visit Monadnock regardless of the conditions. My first time up was a Saturday morning in February when everything was covered in ice and you could barely see 20 feet, and there were still groups of hikers all over, some trying to get up the lower trails with no spikes. I can definitely see how people get into trouble up there.
Hey Taylor, enjoyed this one. As they say, your brain is your best piece of equipment, use it. And you did. Have you done any of these winter hikes? Ragged Mt, Kearsarge or Cardigan? Also, you've enjoyed the M-S Greenway. Have you looked at the SRKG yet?
@@kaiserwilhelmnh932 thanks! Sounds like the bay circuit trail here in Mass. I’ve chipped away at it over the years but with no camping allowed it’s not they hike material. Be well MrWilhelm 🙏
Very very SMART to turn around when you did! 😁 The mountain is not going anywhere and you can summit another day. Happy Holidays from central CT. Stay safe. 🧡
Another Awesome Video! You are so down to earth! Please consider following our hike on the Appalachian Trail beginning February 28, 2022! Myself & “Happy Hippie” would love your feedback as we hike! Thank you! “Hiking With Whiskers” RU-vid
