Winter Camping on a White Mountain Summit 

Thanks! I am not really trying to be "solo." It's just my nature and easiest for me to manage. It's fun how each little adventure includes all these things.

Ahh, I hope you get more snow! I'll keep going out there so you at least get some vicarious snow.

Thanks! Yes - the 52 have some good camping opportunities, especially in winter before the ground wakes up again.

Thanks. Yes. I feel confident but also always checking on it so I don't overstep. I was thinking about how the three times I "failed" or had to turn back were all due to the difficulties of breaking trail. It's good to have that in a way because it keeps me aware that certain conditions change the game.

My career was in research and field labs. Have to be on your toes ALL the time. What spooks me is a kinked ankle misstep with my 40lbs of kit in my Baltoro on my back.@@RachelWhelton

Going downhill with a thirty pound pack with snowshoes! that's impressive. I'm so untested. @@RachelWhelton

Thanks!

Thanks. It is pretty nifty mountain. Feels like a big mountain but the suffering ends soon since the trail isn't so long.

Glad you enjoyed it!

Thanks. I appreciate the positivity! It was one of my favorites.

Yes, thanks. The cold was a fair trade for the clear skies! Good luck with the snow. At least around here we always get snow during what I call "pre-spring" so hopefully you will too.

Thanks!

Yeah, I never even heard of this mountain until recently. Amazing how much is just beyond the Kanc. Have fun on Sunday! Seems all the trail reports are positive right around now.

Yes, it was so funny to be hidden away back there. Crazy luck that I met that same dog (and owners) the very next week at Mount Israel. The dog and I locked eye contact and I could hardly believe it was her. The owners confirmed they had not known I was back in the woods.

Thanks. Yes, the gear is so interesting. The books I read about the Alps and Everest talk about leather boots with nails stuck through them as the first crampons. And those guys didn't have headlamps or stoves! Just imagine what the future might hold for hikers in another century.

Yeah, that was very real life right there. I was multi-tasking and forgot the bag was in my jacket. Learning new lessons each time out! 😅

Yeah because matches and fire starter are on the 10 Essentials list! So there you go, it worked! I always wondered why those were on the list since you aren't supposed to have a lot of fires. But over time I am learning there are many, many exceptions and circumstances where the rules are a little different to match the situation. I also carry a tent pole splint all the time, thinking how stupid it is. But I betcha someday a pole will snap and I'll have to use that splint!

Yes, I love the gear. I was thinking a good gear video would be side by side of Husband and I, because we have totally different taste in gear usually. I like the fancy brands and he prefers getting better prices and views "value" differently.

Many thanks!

Oh yeah - I saw that on Miranda's RU-vid channel. Looks like you can make a water insulator too.

Thank you!

Thanks!

Glad you like them! Thanks for the kind comment.

Thanks. This camp made me feel like the whole White Mountains was new again as I have let go of my fear of going off trail and doing a wild camp!

Thanks!

Great! Each season has its challenges. And each camp builds our abilities.

Thanks! I'll be working on those night shots.

That's awesome! That is what I look for around RU-vid also, inspiration to get back out there.

😃 Yeah, the dog, who is named Mia, I've learned (for Missing in Action). After each little adventure I am exhausted for a day or two but then the ideas start bubbling again for "where should I go next?!"

@@RachelWhelton Well…you’ve inspired some of my 2024 vacation plans as I come back to the US once again this summer for some camping, kayaking and hiking. Seems only fair you come to Canada 🇨🇦 🙃. Check out Mt Carleton in New Brunswick and Parks Canada-Fundy or Cape Breton Highlands in NS.🏕️

Thanks. Yeah, I find if I don't keep adding a new factor, I get bored. So as long as I grow a little each time, I feel engaged and excited. Each time I do something I was afraid of before, it opens my eyes to some new horizon of other things that maybe I could do next season.

Yes, another hiker told me that brook can be very crazy sometimes. I took the logging road a couple trips back when I had the sled so I didn't have to go back over the water again with the sled. For now the ice bridge is solid. Thanks for the comment - I am definitely going to practice the nighttime shots because I've gotten rusty at it. I'm going to take that up a level and get some good shots.

It doesn't take a long time to get used to them. But my calf muscles are still sore so I think the difference was carrying the pack and using the snowshoes a longer period of time than usual. This is my third pair of snowshoes and the others before this were never a good fit for me due to their shape or weight.

The snowshoes are Atlas Helium. The reviews sometimes say they can break too easily but I seldom break stuff so for me this is a worthwhile tradeoff to the fact that they are lightweight. I like them a lot.

The Tioga weighs 6 pounds but has a large capacity and manages weight well. I have the OV Shadowlight 45 and I do wonder how that 60 is - must be nice. The boots - yeah, I do understand what you mean but so far the lightweight aspect is worth it and no problems. But of course these are rather short periods of time I am out with them and dry snow. My husband has the Tioga also and the Whisperlight but I became afraid of liquid fuel and wanted to keep things as simple and small as possible so for now the ones that aren't as effective as the Whisperlight are good for me. But it sounds like you have a very pro set up for your trip!

Yeah. I notice there are tons of Sasquatch videos on RU-vid and I avoid them with fervor. That is the last thing I need to feel terrified out there over a mystery monster! Ditto for UFOS.

You are a brave woman!@@RachelWhelton

Yes, I have a warmer pouch but on this trip cut back on stuff to save weight. Of course it weighs nothing so I'm putting it back in!

@@RachelWhelton isn't that how it goes. I commented while watching the video and caught you mentioning the packet later.

Thanks, yes, I know what you mean. I recently watched Miranda in the wild go snow camping and she stepped on her tent in snowshoes and ripped a hole in it. I felt sad for her but then on my camp, I lunged awkwardly and stepped on my tent with my snowshoe! Thankfully it did not rip. But there is something about winter which makes everything harder.

There was an ice bridge so I just walked across it.

Yeah. Sorry. Just finished the video. Saw the ice bridge at the end

The boots are Keen Evo Nxis mid-height waterproof boots, which I got from Amazon about 100 bucks. The snowshoes are Atlas Helium which I got for my birthday last year so not sure the current pricing.

@@RachelWhelton Thanks! Doing a lot of research on winter gear😄