Backpacking Passaconaway Whiteface in New Hampshire

[@marcohanig176]

Oh no! As also noted by @BobCorsaro, you missed both of the (really nice) views! My suggestion to you and anyone else researching a trip in the Whites is to make sure to read the trail descriptions in the AMC White Mountain Guide book (yes, old school hardcopy). The book is really good about pointing out "hidden" spurs to views. In this case, near the Passaconaway summit there is actually a sign that says "To View" that you must have missed. It's a 0.2 mile spur to a really nice North view. On Whiteface, the view is at the South Summit (about 0.3 from the true summit) and has an equally nice view South. Great reason to come back!

[@RachelWhelton]

Good point. I hope this will help anybody who watches the video while planning their trip. As for me, no worries. I see views all the time and this probably sounds crazy but I don't seem to feel as passionately about them as others. It's like, "yep, let's go." Unless there is food involved. Then I like to cook with a view all day long.

[@CeeJayKay]

Beautiful nature... I'd love to camp / hike / etc there some day. 👍🏻

[@Trinitysmom9]

Really enjoying your backpacking trip videos. You’re out there doing it by yourself and that’s quite an accomplishment in my book. Plus you go at your own pace and take it all in. Enjoy the journey and keep it going.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks so much! I appreciate the positive feedback very much. It's fun and since I keep doing them one trip after another, the momentum is like flotation. I'm going along the river of adventure not quite able to take it all in at the moment.

[@peterfagley772]

Nice trip, thanks for taking us along!

[@RachelWhelton]

It was a good one. That place would be awesome in the fall as well.

[@paddle_hike]

Great video! Thanks for showing Camp rich (I plan to camp there soon). Take care

[@RachelWhelton]

My pleasure. Glad it was of help. Great place to camp.

[@jmgrunner1971]

Just discovered your channel and absolutely love it! I love observing the trails you cover throughout the White Mountains, as well as overnight sites. Thanks for sharing!

[@RachelWhelton]

Awesome, thank you!

[@wandarice4177]

It was nice meeting you on the trail. :)

[@RachelWhelton]

Oh, thanks, you too!!!

[@barrygraber9776]

Well congratulations Rachel on your personal challenge. Looked to be a nice hike in the woods. shame there are not a few more vistas. One little thing you don’t mention is how fragrant it must be. When you were climbing out of your tent in the morning you showed what looked to me as a Balsam tree and for me that would be heavenly that and a morning coffee. I’m pretty sure I could not bring myself to hop in that mountain stream as you did

[@RachelWhelton]

It took about ten minutes to pump myself up mentally for going in the freezing cold water! But afterwards I felt so good.

[@BobCorsaro]

If you continued to the second bump passed the true summit of white face, you would have arrived at some spectacular ledges that most people think is the summit. You were almost there! You'll have to go back. There's also a great view spur a little passed the Passaconaway summit spur. It's pretty long and goes down pretty far, but it's an excellent perch with views to the north.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, that makes sense. I have seen those places on other videos and they look like fun. I might enjoy going around that way in the fall when the leaves call me back.

[@underdgk9]

Great little outing. Nice healthy Ramen dish,made me hungry!

[@hammockstocoasters]

Beautiful video. I truly appreciate your presentation on your videos. You’re calming to watch yet you pack a ton of information in. I admire your raw honesty.

[@RachelWhelton]

Wow, thank you!

[@alam8750]

So funny! I always think the same... with all those signs throughout the White mountains why not a sign to mark the summits?!

[@RachelWhelton]

Exactly! I'm not buying the "it's wilderness" answer they offer us either. There are many such contradictions in the mountains.

[@mikecoglione1308]

Amazing area. Regarding eating you should be feeding yourself constantly on a day long challenge like that starting with big breakfast and your first snack not 15 minutes into the hike. You don't have to pig out at all just a slow and steady influx of calories of different macros. Everyone is different my wife is like you but then she bonks and gets weak, cranky because "she wants to save it for the top whereas my diabetes on insulin doesn't let me. I have to eat a little bit at a time but it works so much better for endurance. Notice you start getting more and more winded above 2000 feet....

[@RachelWhelton]

Good tips, thanks.

[@steeve-o]

Nice little overnight. Nothing like camping in tge wilderness areas especially, Sandwich wilderness which, seems to be a little less crowded than other areas of the Whites. Whiteface was my 1st 4ker.

[@RachelWhelton]

Very true! I loved the quiet camp in the wilderness.

[@Cbockhoff]

Forgotten spoon many times 😂. Two straight sticks make nice chopsticks, especially if you have a knife to clean up the sticks.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yeah - chopsticks! I watch another KZbin guy who keeps his spoon in the exact same pocket on his pack every time. NOW I get it! ha ha....

[@telliott53]

Nice! I still need 12 for the 67 list, and those 2 r on it. Book sounds like BlueBerry Ledge is "very steep and scenic." And😀 tough to descend! as u noted. Do u take these yourself? Sounds like u have a tripod of some kind? U r the next best thing to being there! and when it's buggy, better u than me! ;)

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks! Yes, I just do the video myself with various little tripods or sometimes tying a phone to a tree. I saw some pictures recently of people doing those ledges in winter so I guess it is doable almost year round. Steep but in the pictures and videos I've seen, there are hand hold places along the way. I think I might go there again in the summer just to see those ledges. I feel I missed out.

[@smh988]

Ever since a scary encounter with an angry, loudly screeching something while mtn biking the woods around The Cog..(I was too busy getting away to know for sure what it was).. and, another encounter with momma black and three cubs (2014), I put a can of Forester bear spray on my belt, take it everywhere biking & hiking. I'm curious: You do same?

[@CeeJayKay]

I would do the same.

[@RachelWhelton]

Well, this can be a touchy subject with people often disagreeing on what sort of defense/weapons to carry. Currently I do not carry bear spray. The closest encounter I had with cubs and mama bear was in my own backyard actually.

[@smh988]

@@RachelWhelton Yes, I understand that. For me, it is the fact that while bear spray is technically for use on bears, in fact it can be a deterrent for any type of aggressive and/or unwanted encounters. Added benefit is by carrying it on a belt it's easy for people to see...

[@benjamintarr6548]

Great video Rachel! Curious, is there a privy at Camp Rich? I heard reports that the privy itself still remains. Thanks!

[@RachelWhelton]

There is a primitive privy back up the hill.

[@OutdoorsWithJohnUSA]

Rachel, I’ve been watching a lot of your videos and enjoying them. I was curious what application are you using to identify birds.

[@RachelWhelton]

The name of the app is Merlin.