Backpacking to Sawyer Pond in the White Mountains

[@wyndwalkerranger7421]

Thanks for the video. Brings back memories was my first backpacking trip with my two very young sons many years ago. Sawyer Pond is one of the most scenic ponds in the state as well as one of the clearest and around 100 ft deep at one spot.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks for sharing! I like to think of the generations of people who enjoy these places.

[@gkookies1254]

I love the night photography

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks! That is always the first thing I want to see when I get home and unload my footage from the camera.

[@Sue-Anna]

I really enjoy your winter camping videos. This is something I can only dream of doing. Thank you so much for sharing your journeys.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. You are the perfect viewer. It's nice to know somebody can see these places which are so hard to access. I wanted to do it for years too - the winter camping. Not something a person can do forever into old age... so it makes me sense this time in life, this rare time when I am actually doing it.

[@smh988]

beautiful night celestial shots, impossible not to be awed

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks! I appreciate the nice comment. At first this video didn't get any views or comments and I thought, oh man nobody liked it... But now there are some nice comments and I realize how encouraging it is to get that feedback on my creative project.

[@99jkane]

Well done. I love the cozy bag idea to protect the electronics.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@ervinslens]

Absolutely gorgeous hike my friend! Shots are just amazing! 👏👏

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks! I really appreciate the praise and encouragement.

[@davidharrison5640]

I stayed there once in February in the early 2000s. Had the whole place to myself. The sun shining on the cliffs across the pond would cause rocks to shear off every once in a while. It sounded like gun fire when they would hit the bottom.

[@RachelWhelton]

Ooh, that sounds pretty cool. I've always wanted to see an avalanche in person (but not die). Rockfall also sounds very exciting!

[@mobilewintercamp7515]

That tent company makes some cool mountaineering tents. Congratulations.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes they do. It is fun to learn about this small businesses that create unique things. On Cody Townsend's video I saw that big dome tent they make and that thing is a beast! So cool.

[@bucky716]

Great videos! Thanks for sharing. Motivational as well to make time for overnight training trips like this.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@barrygraber9776]

Loved your nighttime video with the mountains in the background but even better was there reflection on the pond. Glade you got to make friends with Mr. Owl sounded like a barred owl

[@RachelWhelton]

For years I've wanted a night scene on video and this was the first time ever making that work. I think I can do it better next time and I would LOVE to get a falling star on the video!

[@peterfagley772]

Nice hike, especially liked the night photography, thank you sharing your trip.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@BucksMom218]

Oh! Just found your channel! My family lives in NH. Love it there! How beautiful a spot you were in! 30 and clear is my favorite temperature 😂🥶🥾🥾thanks for sharing this adventure!

[@RachelWhelton]

Awesome! Thank you! Thirty and clear. I like that. My favorite temperature is 64. But maybe it will change after this winter of unique experiences. Not sure yet. I grew up in San Diego where temperature does not fluctuate as much as here in New England. I appreciate the seasons and range of weather.

[@aluap9079]

So interesting to see the transition from summer hiking to winter hiking. I wouldn’t ages thought about how changing packs would be so beneficial ❤

[@RachelWhelton]

Certainly some people make it work with other packs. Husband had this model and was really wanting me to try it. But fitting more stuff inside is critical. Luckily most of it is fluffy stuff.

[@fingerlakeshiker]

Nice video. Great scenery. I am impressed by how you have progressed on your trips the past year.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@Trinitysmom9]

Another great winter camping trip. Beautiful night sky! Very enjoyable.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@filmic1]

Thank-you Rachel. That was very enjoyable, 'lovely' production. I sub'd about three blogs ago. FYI: I used climber's prussic line to string our food cache up. We had a bear visit and it got another hiker's cache. The bear tried ours but gave up. I suspended my Peak1 stainless under the food hang and we woke up to clanging pots. Was it the pot clanging or the prussic line that discouraged Jasper? Dunno. The other fellow lost most of his foot. Got a photo of it. This was in the Adirondacks' High Peaks, back in the eighties. (My, I'd be wearing hiking boots on a hike like that.)

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, I definitely must upgrade my knots and ropes! I like the idea of a pot or bell to hang on it. Brilliant idea. When I went to bed, I thought there was a very strong chance of waking up to no food bag.

[@hmr171]

I was laughing when I said to myself "who cooks for you" about a half second before you said it 😂.

[@RachelWhelton]

That was a fun owl. I wish I could have picked up more of the sounds.

[@rootsandpeaks]

Great video. Thanks for sharing! Love what you are doing.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@billcahill8825]

I like your choice in the stove, I have something similar, trangia gas burner that I use with my firebox stove Works great in cold temps.

[@RachelWhelton]

Stoves are extra comforting in winter.

[@laurasoule2771]

Lovely night photos!

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@keithburton5877]

Love your videos

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@MikeRyder-ml2mb]

What a difference in winter compared to summer. Hiked there a few summers ago just to check it out and was constantly passed by people rushing to get the last spots. When I got there is was totally packed, loud, and everyone was scouring everywhere for wood. When I went loads of people were swimming/rafting to the other side of the pond (not sure what’s there). Guess it was a little cold for a dip (know how you like the water). Great night photography. Your new tent seems nice and roomy. What makes it a winter tent? All the vents? It insulates on some way? I take my hat off to you, a 35-pound pack is quite a feat. All the comforts of home. Thanks for sharing.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, that is what I have heard, that it's too busy. Sounds fun for groups of friends but all those people would stress me out. So I'll take the cold and solitude. As for the tent, it's OK for winter because it has bigger, stronger poles, a design that guards against ripping in the wind, more vents, (no insulation), and sturdy fabric that can hold up to snow that falls on it overnight. Oh and the fly goes all the way to the ground to help with snow. I'll try to show those things more if I make it to the deeper snow.

[@MikeRyder-ml2mb]

Sounds like a great tent@@RachelWhelton

[@sammonicuslux]

Would putting a tarp down first, then the tent help? I haven't camped on a platform before. I imagine a tarp would be too heavy to lug in, though.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, or a tent footprint. But actually the moisture didn't result in any problem aside from avoiding it. It's just that every item to carry adds weight. Hopefully as we switch to snow this won't be an issue.

[@kaiserwilhelmnh932]

Which Slingfin model did you get?

[@RachelWhelton]

Crossbow. 4 season version. But recently I ordered the summer "add on" mesh body. What a deal to get 2 tents in one. I love this thing.

[@kaiserwilhelmnh932]

@@RachelWhelton thank you