My 1st time backpacking was BRUTAL | White Mountains NH

[@dougwaites869]

Having lived in the whitemountains all my life and worked on mt Washington for 15 yrs. I also was a first responder with Bethlehem EMS. I'll give you a A- for your first back packing in our mountains. I have taken part in many rescues over the last 50 years. Great video and even better preparedness. 👍

[@Blake8418]

Now I'll take that! Thanks!

[@neilquinn]

What would have made it an A or A+?

[@dougwaites869]

@neilquinn your lack of experience.

[@garethmurphy8235]

So.. I took my son for his first backpacking trip early this year. He is 15 and plays High School football. He has been training and attending practice regularly since 6th grade; double sessions, weight lifting; the whole nine yards. He also took karate for a few years and is in pretty damn good shape. We hiked what is ultimately a very easy trail in The Whites (19 Mile) and he was so tired as we walked out the end of the trail on day 2 he was literally stumbling and swaying, half zonked because he was so tired and the hike was so physically taxing compared to what he is used to. Hiking in the Whites is a MASSIVE physical and mental exertion and a can be a life changing challenege. People who don't hike just have no idea how incredibly difficult it is. Marathoners are routinely humbled in The Whites. Let that sink in. "BRUTAL" is the perfect word and the only word I can think of when trying to explain to someone how hard some hikes can be. Well said !! I did a Zealand-Bonds Traverse about a month ago (my first hike like that) and it was probably the hardest physical thing I have done in my life. I am 50 years old.. Can't wait for the next one..

[@Blake8418]

So spot on! I'm so impressed by some of the older men and women I see out on the trails just killing it. And yes, it hurts so good you just can't help but want to do it again, haha. So rewarding!

[@MikrodotsInc]

19 Mile to Carter Hut is a beautiful hike in all 4 seasons. Winter in Carter Notch is an experience worth the hike / snowshoe if you've experienced that!

[@thelakeman5207]

Zealand-Bond area is really remote and very beautiful.

[@johnwalker4642]

I like using an Ash, beaver cleaned staff for the Whites. 1971 my first back packing journey. May you have many safe journeys into the Whites and beyond!

[@Blake8418]

Awesome, thank you!

[@alexandertourville5015]

You can expect winter conditions in the whites from October-May. Glad you packed enough and stayed safe. We've had a bunch of deaths in the shoulder seasons up here lately. Mainly people from Massachusetts who arent prepared and dont read the weather conditions for the higher summits forecast before heading out.

[@Blake8418]

I can definitely see how it could be extremely dangerous and catch you off guard!

[@franklaferriere5754]

​@@Blake8418I am going to talk to you as one lover of nature and hiking to another. But bro, do not ever do this again PLEASE. I'm 65. Started coming up to these mountains as a kid. I'm a disabled chef who worked 35 years doing it. Always loved photography. New job? Nature photographer. Been up here since 06. These are the most deadlies small mountain ranges there are. Three weather systems colliding, right over your head. The Rock held the wind speed record of 231 mph. Regular winds 40-120 mph. Can be 80-90 and gorgeous in valley during summer, and winter on top. You see a cloud cap around the top in fall, winter, early spring? You stay smart and stay off unless you have many miles under your boots. Read Not Without Peril 1 & 2. Trust me, after you do? You will see just how dangerous these little mountains can be. Hike safe. I know many search and rescue. Realize this. You get hurt? They have to come out to get you. No matter what the weather, no matter what the time. They risk life and limb to save yours. Think of it this way. Each time you go out to hike? You are also hiking with the search and rescue too.

[@rogerlevasseur397]

You can also encounter terrible conditions June-to-September as well - just having a weather system of rain with high winds with cooler temps on any of the higher summits or ridgelines in July has also caught people off-guard resulting in fatalities or rescues from exposure.

[@brian6140]

I’m from Mass. I’m going up tomorrow well prepared. I have my umbrella and sunscreen.

[@alexandertourville5015]

@@brian6140 sounds about right, lol.

[@gingrai00]

Hiking poles / sticks are really helpful. The whites are very rugged, very difficult… but beautiful!

[@richardbaileyphoto]

it was beautiful I can't wit to get back there!

[@4potslite169]

The Whites can be tough. I’ve been on Mt Washington in Aug w 70mph gusts and icing. Where’s your poles? And gloves? Hands in the pockets mean a total face plant when you slip and fall…Stay safe especially when solo!

[@Blake8418]

I've never used poles and never felt I needed them until carrying a heavy pack. I've now ordered some. I made the mistake of bringing 1 pair of gloves which ended up getting wet. I had hand warmers which allowed me to manage ok.

[@MikrodotsInc]

Great video. Thanks for the effort! One suggestion for your next treck; your spare wool socks make excellent mittens or even an extra layer over gloves. I've had to use my socks this way when going from Lakes in the Clouds hut up to Mt. Washington summit one time. The weather turned to a "wintery mix" - temps dropped from 70's to low 30's, with freezing rain, 60mph winds, 90mph gusts, visibility less than 50 feet... 1.5 miles took nearly 3 hours because of low visibility. That was a few years back in early August! Mountain weather is no joke!

[@Blake8418]

Good tip, I appreciate it!

[@williammcdonald4922]

A truly great video that accurately captured the reality of backpacking in the Whites. I've been backpacking the Whites for more than 50 years and I felt like I was there descending North Carter. The Whites are all about rocks, roots and "grease" and the steepest trails are almost all below treeline.

[@Blake8418]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@gingrai00]

I agree Bill. I really enjoyed the Go-Pro footage of the descent. My wife and I were laughing at the commentary… laughing sympathetically😂

[@RhodySeth]

Heh, that's autumn in the Whites for ya. Gorgeous conditions one day, winterscape the next. Hey you made it and learned from the experience too! Take that knowledge with you on the next trip.

[@Blake8418]

Absolutely!

[@williameident588]

Excellent video.. The Whites are not to be underestimated, even in summer. While descending from the summit of Mt Washington I past a European couple with a child headed up Tuckerman for the summit. No water , summer slip on shoes.. I mentioned to them in a helpful way they may want to reconsider and was met with a surley response "It's only 4 miles. we do this in France in an 2 hours" , having just been through dense clouds and scrambling over boulders, I just said " I wish you luck"..

[@UncleTravelingMatt2]

With the relentlessly rocky and steep terrain up and past Tuckerman on the way to the summit, it’s a long 4 miles.

[@PetsAndPreps]

This was AWESOME! I’m planning a similar trip same place and this has been very helpful as it will be my first time. Great job on the camera work, intro, music, editing and content. Looks so professional. Thanks again!

[@Blake8418]

Thank you! I hope you enjoy your trip!

[@richdean9260]

Outstanding job on the video! Hiking and camping for almost 40 years I am still learning lessons about myself & my gear. You certainly gain a lot of knowlegde on this one trip! Thank you for sharing your experience.

[@Blake8418]

Thank you I appreciate it!

[@hindsfeetonhighplaces]

Welcome to the addiction of Backpacking. Nothing quite like being solo in the woods for the night.

[@jantefft2442]

Very good video. The silence with sounds of nature truly captures the essence of your trek. Thank You❤

[@Blake8418]

Thank you!

[@MikeWilley]

Excellent video. The Whites can humble you quickly but there's something special about being there. I did the Franconia Ridge on a solo trip and it was one of my favorite trips of all time. Thanks for sharing

[@Blake8418]

I agree! Thanks!

[@Kawatawa-um5cg]

In the habit of going through the reviews first and then then watching the videos. I very much felt that this posting is a must for me. I will allocate my best time off this weekend to AirPlay this video on my tv screen. I live faraway to the south in NYC, but white mountain and other NH’s mountains are close to my heart. I submitted the, M. Washington, did the fronconia Ridge loop hike, Mt. monadnock and already planed to do the Air line trailhead for Mt. Adam during the Veteran day weekend. Thank you for sharing the video and kudos to all the Rescuers and rangers 👍👍👍

[@Blake8418]

Awesome! Enjoy your upcoming hike and thanks in advance for checking out the video! Better to come in the near future!

[@karenanddogs6645]

Mesmerizing video. Loved the no talking, natural sounds and mysterious music. Dangerous trail for anyone. Congratulations on surviving it. BTW, it's okay to take less adventurous hikes. 😊 Brrrr.

[@Blake8418]

Haha thank you!

[@ac346673]

Nice vid. As others probably mentioned, get some trekking poles. I remember going through that section at 11:45 , trekking poles helped with balancing. I think I was also on the same tent platform as you, lol

[@Blake8418]

Nice, yeah the 1st thing I did was buy poles haha

[@derekwilson1642]

I too did my first adult backpacking trip in the Whites early september. I agree, completely brutal but we learned so much about the terrain and what we need/ dont for the next time!

[@whooptydj]

Gorgeous scenery! I have never hiked out there and can only imagine there would of been a lot more 'bleeping' going thru the rock portion😊 Thanks for taking us along.

[@Blake8418]

Haha that section got the blood flowing! Thanks for watching

[@Self_Proppelled]

Trekking poles are magical. Super useful. Like having an extra pair of legs. They save your knees on the downhill.

[@beckiejani7782]

And time spent at physical therapy or even knee replacement surgery eventually

[@kerrywoods4352]

Great video! Glad you made it out safe. May I ask which mountain this is?

[@Blake8418]

Thank you! This is the Carter Mountain area

[@user-ml5yw8tf8b]

Really nice video, especially the natural sounds instead of "music". I was camping at Dolly Copp the week before, and it was so cold at night. I love the Whites, been camping and hiking up there since I was a baby.

[@Blake8418]

Awesome, glad you enjoyed it!

[@thelakeman5207]

I've seen both sides in the White Mtns. Beautiful warm, clear days and really bad storms with 80 mph winds. Be prepared.

[@nicholasleonardo4788]

Interesting video. That was an extremly challenging trail. Were fires not allowed? Always prepare for weather colder than you believe it will be. Nice trip though. Walking staffs may have helped and a second pair of gloves and socks.😊

[@Blake8418]

Yeah I was prepared for the temperature but didn't consider i'd be exposed to so much wind all night. Getting in the tent and (mostly) out of the wind was more helpful than a fire would have been. I had 2 pairs of socks but my feet were still the coldest. Poles and extra gloves for sure next time! Thanks for watching!

[@joseuribe430]

great video and sound track. Beautiful scenery

[@Blake8418]

Thanks!

[@joseuribe430]

@@Blake8418 you’re welcome

[@tomhamilton3199]

Good for you. Great solo adventure. It can be very uncomfortable up there in August... October can get scary!

[@Blake8418]

Thanks Tom, it was an experience! Oddly I want to do it again haha

[@BobPritchard]

Congrats on making it. Sharp video skills! I think you should get an experienced hiker to review your gear - you have a huge pack, probably very heavy with likely lots of unneeded gear. I hiked the PCT, AT, all over the White Mountains and more in warm and cold weather with much less gear and weight. And hiking poles are critical to keeping you upright, whether going down steel trails or avoiding slipping on icy surfaces. If solo, I'd always want a satellite communicator like a Garmin Mini to summon help if you became injured or incapacitated - heck it's a good idea in all scenarios. The more fine-tuned your gear is, the more enjoyable and safer you will be. I'm writing this from my White Mountains house now! Good luck on your next hike!

[@Blake8418]

Thanks for the tips Bob! My gear weighed in at 36lbs with water and at least 12lbs of it was camera gear. I also had a bear canister which I ended up not needing since there was a bear box at the site. But my bag is actually only 40L which is on the small side. Maybe it looks big because I'm only 5'7 haha.

[@Blake8418]

Oh and enjoy your hike!

[@kentwood9821]

Fall and Winter are great times to explore the flatter portions of the White Mountains. Those can be challenging enough!

[@fusionfx7050]

Hiked Wildcat on 10/9. It was 55 and sunny at the base. 32 and snowing at the summit. Plan was to walk the ridge over to wildcat A. But I opted out because of the weather. Whites aren’t something to mess with.

[@gingrai00]

Great video! The rocky descent and your commentary made us laugh out loud!

[@Blake8418]

Haha glad you enjoyed it!

[@ryankeane8072]

Great film! I’m always impressed by the filming people do. All these shots where you go up the trail to place the camera, back up, hike past the camera, go back and retrieve the camera, rinse repeat. The hiking/backpacking is easy for me compared to that.

[@Blake8418]

A lot of work but worth it! Thanks for watching!

[@firnatine67]

This was really well done. Thanks for sharing. The weather up here, as you now know, can be pretty wild anytime of the year. I enjoyed this alot. What tentsite was that? Thanks!

[@Blake8418]

Thank you! This was the IMP tent site

[@carolel5773]

My heart was racing as you were going down that steep, rocky mountain side. Was that truly the marked trail?! With the hoar frost covering everything it looked bloody cold. Hopefully this hasn’t turned off backpacking just made you more aware of what’s involved. A set of trekking poles could help too. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@Blake8418]

Haha yeah it was the marked trail. It was quite unexpected and extra challenging after already being exhausted and cold. I'm still excited to do it again though. Yep I bought some poles! Thanks for watching!

[@carolel5773]

@@Blake8418 I’ve just subscribed so I can keep an eye on you! I’ll be your helicopter-gran. 🚁

[@Blake8418]

@@carolel5773 hahaha much appreciated!

[@wmlaw98]

Welcome to the Whites. I live there and have had experienced all four seasons in one day. As others have said it can be dangerous and challenging and also exhilarating and a chance to be a stronger both in terms of skills and character. My advice: Treat every hike or trip like a winter trip and be prepared for an unplanned overnight. But don't let the experience scare you - embrace the learning and grow from it. For others that are not ready to take as big a plunge - consider day and over night hikes to the AMC huts when they are open - small bites at first.

[@Blake8418]

Great advice, thank you

[@roxannegordon2854]

I overhead a fellow hiker tell me she wasn't able to hike up the whites anymore at her age, so she took the cog train up to the summit, then hiked down to the hut. That's 1.5 miles of very steep rock hopping. Not really a small bite, unless your are an 18 year old Croo member. Then the next day she hiked down the Ammo trail. A very beautiful trail. I thought that was a great idea, so I did it. Twice. Some people actually laugh at hikers who do that, as if they are lazy. I usually smile at them and say: "I hope you are still BREATHING when you are my age. " I'm 77 now. Keep moving.

[@Blake8418]

Awesome! Love it!

[@scottsheridan278]

All the back and forth setting up the camera would also contribute to the exhaustion. Great work.

[@TheChantybb]

Great video! Which trail was this? I mean, the original plan? And which trail did you end up in after you got lost from the original one?

[@Blake8418]

Thanks! I took Nineteen mile brook to Carter dome, then when I came to the Carter Moriah trail I was supposed to take a right towards Mt. Height and the Black angel trail. Instead I ended up going left towards the IMP shelter.

[@wmanad8479]

Hiking the White Mtns for a first backpacking trip is one big step to start out on. Maybe Mt. Monadnock or Greylock would've been less challenging for an up and back with a day pack. At least now you know how it goes and hopefully the difficulty hasn't put you off backpacking, rather given you a better perspective. I don't much like using hiking poles myself, but they can save your knees, especially going downhill, which is almost always harder on your body than going up. Strained knees can take years of babying to recover fully. Going solo for a first time is another thing to think twice about. Hiking with others can change the experience but it is safer. Always make sure someone back in civilization knows where you're headed and when you expect to be back and who to call if you fail to show up. It happens, people get in a fix they can't get themselves out of, even experienced hikers.

[@Blake8418]

Yeah going back down the next day was straight up painful on my knees. I am still eager to get back out and do it again. Thank you for the tips!

[@marcohanig176]

In hindsight, what might you have done differently to not just "survie" but have a better experience?

[@Blake8418]

Well, overall the hiking part wasn't horrible. Although there were parts not in this video that were uneven and extremely slippery where trekking poles would have been super helpful. Having a pair of waterproof gloves, as well as another dedicated dry pair would have also been great to have. The real struggle came once I stopped moving as much and the wind was beating on me at the camp site. Ideally I would have looked into wind direction and taken it into account with the area I camped at. I ended up in one of the most windy areas of the entire hike, minus the open summit areas. With that said, I probably would have been much warmer if I had a winter rated tent to keep some of the wind out a bit more. I had a couple pair of hand warmers but having some for my feet while sleeping would have been very helpful as well. Keep in mind I hate the cold and I'm sure many people probably would have been unbothered by everything I mentioned 😅

[@freeheel748]

@@Blake8418 Nobody likes being cold. Being completely warm out there despite the cold is the adventure. That's the fun part once you master it. Any hiking, views or added adventures are just bonus. I once brought a whole chicken out to cook in winter. It froze so solid it was unusable. Learned to dice meat in preparation lol.

[@gingrai00]

One of the things my wife and I often lament is just how unable we are to give the impression of the actual steepness of the routes in our pics of videos… I think we might need to shoot a much wider angle perspective to begin to convey it better.

[@alexandertourville5015]

Mt washington had 110 mph wind gusts this past weekend and recieved about a foot of snow.

[@Blake8418]

😬😬

[@neilquinn]

Nice video. A lot of similar thoughts I have on trips. Hands def get cold super fast and it can be scary when you can barely move them to assemble a tent. Consider some fingerless gloves and handwarmers.

[@Blake8418]

For sure! Thanks!

[@hoodsoffhandsdown]

I’m pretty sure I’ve done this trail. At the beginning when I crossed that bridge I was confronted with the image of a deer carcass. It was a stark reminder of the brutality of the area. Great video!

[@Blake8418]

I can't imagine how rough it gets during a bad winter storm! Thanks man!

[@hoodsoffhandsdown]

@@Blake8418 of course. Keep it up

[@Tuckerthewigglebuttaussie]

!st time backpacking and you hike in the white mountains? Wow. You went straight to the Olympics. lol When the inexperienced , Needs the experience so the backpacking experience becomes more enjoyable. Great video by the way.

[@Blake8418]

Haha yeah I kind of jumped in head first. Thank you I appreciate it.

[@notquiteultralight1701]

Hey! I really enjoyed this vid. Just the sounds of your footsteps, wind, water and trees. Very subtle and mellow background instrumental. I have no idea which part of the Whites this was but I don’t want to know. And I don’t want to tell me, especially if this was on that crazy leaf peeping SAR weekend up there. I do here tell from different sources that one CAN go to the whites after a busy week of work and get some solitude for a couple days. Just gotta know where to go. I get my backcountry drug on elsewhere. Hey…. I just wanted to point out that camping on those tent platforms in heavy rain, should you go in the summer, can result in the water bouncing back up from the decking and into your tent by bouncing up underneath the bottom of the fly. I’ve had it happen to my oldest when we were in a Vermont state park and I was cozy and dry in my hammock. Which leads me to my other point. Maybe try a hammock at some point. I think you’d like it. Plus you don’t need an established campsite. Just get your water from and poop at a backcountry site and then camp elsewhere up in the trees. And of course, if you continue to go solo, at least get an EPIRB. If not, some kind of sat comms. Take care man! Be safe and we’ll see ya in the next one! NQU

[@Blake8418]

Thanks for the tips! Much appreciated. I was trying my best to avoid the crowds and I think I chose the right area for it.

[@notquiteultralight1701]

@@Blake8418 you did for sure man!!

[@ashvanes484]

well even if prepared (which you were), do enough hiking/outdoors stuff in New England, you'll have times where conditions are more than expected, esp in the Whites. rocks and roots way more slippery in wet/ice/snow, easy to bang yourself up on for one. decision making in cold is much harder, and you don't know it in the moment. winds/storms can change perspective fast too. recommend picking up a zeleo or garmin messenger/inreach for sat comms. useful for a lot more than just dire situations, including driving where there's suboptimal coverage. imo those into outdoors/less populated areas in the modern times should have one. [I forget too that I think the latest apple phones have satellite abilities, but I am on an older phone] at the opposite end, this past weekend saw a huge number of NH SAR/Police/F&G call outs for people without proper shoes, water, food, headlamps etc and massive crowds on trails. what a world. beautiful footage and terrain, for sure. I'm older now, this is beyond my abilities but I sure do like the vicarious experience of it. thanks for sharing this.

[@Blake8418]

Thank you for the info!

[@m00nk33y]

Great cinematic shots! What kind of sneakers you got on in this?

[@Blake8418]

Thanks! They are Salomon Ultra 4s

[@adrs2k]

Well done!

[@Blake8418]

thanks man!

[@adrs2k]

@@Blake8418 hope you make some more.

[@Blake8418]

That's the plan

[@DPM-dp9on]

Great video and editing. Where in the Whites?

[@Blake8418]

Thanks! This starts at Nineteen mile brook and off into the Carter Moriah range.

[@Gitgudm9]

I really like your editing style! I love quiet, contemplative videos but find the ones without any sort of commentary at all are a bit dull. I think this is a perfect formula and I can't wait to see where you go next.

[@Blake8418]

Thank you! More to come!

[@noelderosier]

This looks like the Carter Moriah Range. Is that where you were?

[@Blake8418]

Correct!

[@freeheel748]

Nice camera work. Cold weather tips: 2 pair gloves. One wet, one always dry. 2 hats. Same reason Neckwarmer Consider wind direction when planning campsite. In winter...wind rules.

[@Blake8418]

Thanks for the tips! All would have been very helpful.

[@ervinslens]

What a scenery man! Shots are brilliant! Love it 🔥🔥

[@Blake8418]

I appreciate it!

[@hikingfeedsmysoul6960]

I was wondering which peak this was. I’m assuming Imp Shelter? Great job on the editing!

[@Blake8418]

It is! Thank you!

[@gkookies1254]

Was that 19 Mile Brook trail in the beginning?

[@Blake8418]

It was!

[@jamesking4225]

Trekking poles and a gps is a must in those conditions

[@Blake8418]

I now agree completely

[@ajfletcher8350]

I was hiking on Mt. Washington one year on July 4th in a blinding storm storm. Hiked down and went water skiing that afternoon. 😂😂😂

[@Blake8418]

Sounds like a wild one!

[@Fostering-adventure]

Yeah I agree with using trekking poles. I thought they were just for old people but I don’t do any 4Ks without them. Turned a few staunch friends into using them also. They were aggressively against it. The 12 minute mark is where I am while writing this and would have helped with the descent. Glad you made it man! Reading 📖 a book called “Not without peril” right now that recounts the misadventures on the presidential range. Worth a read. Great video btw!

[@Blake8418]

Haha awesome! Enjoy and stay warm! Yeah I have some poles ordered 👌 It's the steep descents with the heavy gear that made me feel like I had old man knees haha. Thanks for the recommendation!

[@wolfmooch]

As a whiter, without knowing your gear in bag not bad. You better gets some poles and if going again pack some spikes

[@UncleTravelingMatt2]

I always prepare for winter conditions no matter what in the Whites. Maybe overkill some days, I don’t care. It could be because I’ve been doing backcountry snowboarding for years so I’m typically prepared for winter, but I’ve just heard enough stories and seen enough crazy weather.

[@Blake8418]

Yeah probably a good call

[@christianblanche1569]

Have you ever heard about trekking poles or you decided that Knee prostheses will be cheaper to purchase ?????????

[@Blake8418]

Nah I just wanted to give you something to complain about.

[@christianblanche1569]

@Blake8418 that's a good one 🤣🤣🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻🤌🏻

[@brian6140]

Which trail is this? It looks like Crawford

[@Blake8418]

Nineteen mile brook to Carter dome to Carter Moriah

[@xfi1er]

I’m sitting here watching this and thinking. Dang. He’s probably gotta go back up that.

[@haopeng9295]

Just becareful when hiking alone in White Mountain, the wind there is so strong, the weather there unpredictable. Several death incidents have been reported related to harsh weather there.

[@PeterLyons-x4f]

I'm trying to repeat the 48 4k list. It's awesome, but definitely very challenging.

[@beckiejani7782]

August 21, 2027, I am going to try for the 48 over 70 list.

[@ChristopherSteven-g4x]

Did you read the rules that are stated no drones in the white mountain state forest?

[@Blake8418]

Yep, can't take off 1/4 mile from a trail or a road. Anymore questions?

[@ChristopherSteven-g4x]

You are incorrect you are not allowed to fly a drone over the state forest .. Your 1/4 mile from a rd or trail is bs and that drone is legitimately over route 3.

[@ChristopherSteven-g4x]

Enjoy now the new government plans on banning all drone use

[@Blake8418]

So the forest service website is lying? Interesting. Well have them send me a citation ok?

[@Charactermatters650]

Taught winter mountaineering many years ago for the AMC/ADK. The Whites are very deceiving and very, very dangerous above tree line. At times you can get what is called “Full Conditions”, that is to say, full ARCTIC conditions. You were lucky you were not above tree line already when the fog came. Think about it…no way to follow the trail…what trail, right? Maybe there are “cairns” but not helpful in serious fog. If you know how to triangulate a position on a map, that is history in a snowstorm or fog (clouds). The fog forming is often a warning, that temps are changing above and soon will where you are - take notice of things like this. Now imagine below tree line and a freezing rain starts - not only are you at great risk of hypothermia if not aware of how to deal with the conditions - but maybe the rocks you are navigating become slick with coated ice - you are in trouble if you have no spikes (even micro spikes can help - above tree line, you really need crampons and ice ax (mountaineering axe). Bivy sack a must, warm bag, pack stove that runs in extreme cold and wind. Water or access to filter - many things on and on. Ambitious start for you for first time - you had some decent gear - learn from it. I have made many mistakes over many years and always learned more each time - the takeaway is that if you are backpacking in the Whites, know you are mountaineering, not just backpacking and you need a plan for the worst that can happen. Above tree line is a different world and disaster can and does happen - be prepared.

[@Blake8418]

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge. I appreciate it 🙏

[@drlangattx3dotnet]

Rough trail. What is the name of the trail.

[@Blake8418]

I started on Nineteen Mile Brook trail and ended up on Carter mountain trail up to the LMP tent site.

[@adamnichols3506]

Did this trail in may of 22 in mash potatoe snow. Not easy.

[@Blake8418]

I bet it wasn't!

[@SteffenVadla]

Great video!

[@Blake8418]

Thanks!

[@BestOfBothWorlds1996]

I wouldn't wish backpacking in the whites to even my worst enemy.

[@Blake8418]

Haha it's quite the experience

[@McBlamin]

Stunning. And the fog may not be good for scenic views, but oh man the atmosphere! The trails looked strenuous and treacherous, trekking poles can be life savers. Can't wait to go there, looks like something out of a fantasy movie. It's something you'll never forget. Hope you do more backpacking videos.

[@Blake8418]

I agree! Yes my knees were feeling it big time. Need some poles bad. More to come for sure! Thanks!

[@jeffstone28]

Knee compression sleeves can be had inexpensively from Amazon and are great when you know you're going to be taxing your knees on a long steep hike.

[@Blake8418]

I've never considered that, thanks!

[@granitejeepc3651]

the Whites are my backyard for past 12 years...they are unpredictable

[@ronyrivera2781]

Hi Blake, you mind if I ask what trail this it's ?

[@Blake8418]

I started at Nineteen mile brook, then split off to Carter dome, then Carter Moriah trail to LMP tent site.

[@TobiJedrey-jx2qe]

What is LMP?

[@Blake8418]

I'm not sure what it stands for. There's an LMP mountain, and LMP shelter/ tent site

[@petercondaxis7879]

It's actually "IMP" Mt. and shelter, as opposed to "LMP"

[@ronyrivera2781]

@@Blake8418 thank you so much.

[@franklaferriere5754]

Are you serious? I've hiked and photographed these mountains since 06. Been coming up here since I was a kid. Do you want to end up in an edition of Not Without Peril? See your name on a certain list at Pinkham or elsewhere? See your name and likeness on the news? Even in summer, it can be summer conditons in the valley and winter ones on The Rock and all along the Presidential Range. It can be nice on top one minute, and wth type weather the next. And this is your first time hiking? Really? These mountains are small, but dangerous. At least get some summer hiking in to see what you are getting yourself into.

[@mikkol79]

What is your sleeping bag rating?

[@Blake8418]

It's 20F.

[@mikkol79]

@@Blake8418 Might be hard to heat up after that kind of ordeal!

[@Blake8418]

Yeah the tent did pretty well but that wind was still making it's way through.

[@roxannegordon2854]

music is not necessary. I can almost hear the mountain speaking to you. Almost! At 14.32, are you still on the trail? It's amazing to me how many of these hikes up there that I end up saying: "Whoever made this a trail needs serious therapy." I have not seen any blazes since you started.

[@cowboy6591]

I wish you nature lovers would look into the camera and talk to us once in a while. Silence is not golden. I would like to know who my chaperone is. Great video and nature shots here. Watching till the end. [wondering who you are].

[@Blake8418]

Hahaha some people hate listening to people talk so it's hard to know what's best in that regard. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesking4225]

Awesome video I just scribbed

[@Blake8418]

Thank you!

[@jamesking4225]

@@Blake8418 your welcome

[@HikeFly22]

Very beautiful

[@marknh3312]

Nice video but I was expecting “more” based on the title. Brutal was just a little bit of hyperbole. It was a typical day in the Whites in the fall.

[@Blake8418]

There's levels to everything. I froze my balls off so I'll stick with "brutal".

[@jeffhays1968]

These mountains are not your friend, so many folks end up calling mountain rescue because they are literally clueless what is waiting for them up there.

[@sumerfun01]

First time backpacking and camping and you're filming it?good grief..

[@Blake8418]

Well..it wasn't my 1st time hiking, camping, or being in the white mountains. Just my 1st time doing it all at once. I've also carried cameras around with me for 25 years so why stop now.

[@CanCanHikes]

Dumb dumb. I live up here. You were seriously underprepared and are lucky nothing terrible happened to you or your would-be rescuers.

[@Blake8418]

Do you mind giving me helpful feedback rather than calling me dumb? I knew where I was, and knew how to get back. I was never close to anything "terrible" happening unless you count the trees swaying above my tent. Very uncomfortable, yes, but never felt helpless.

[@CanCanHikes]

@@Blake8418 I am not the only one who will see this and think the same thing. My advice is this: EVERY TIME you go into the Whites, check the high summit forecast, put out by Mt. Washington Observatory.

[@DPM-dp9on]

There is such a thing as constructive criticism or feedback. He wasn’t actually all that unprepared and fully acknowledges this was a brutal learning experience.

[@firnatine67]

Other than "dumb" would you happen to have another other constructive feedback? He did not seem to be all that unprepared for conditions. He was much better equipped than MANY others I have seen up there in the fall.