Winter Backpack to Ethan Pond in the White Mountains

[@michelelapham1215]

Your photography is amazing! So beautiful! I envy you camping in the cold. I just can't do it! I need warmth! I so enjoy watching these videos because even though the cold isn't for me, I still learn something every time! Thanks for sharing another adventure.

[@RachelWhelton]

I would try to talk you out of it and say cold is fine.... Except then I remember how I don't do so well in heat. Pretty much the only way I can be outside a long time in high heat is if I can go into cool water. Otherwise the heat just seems to build up in me. So this makes me understand when people refuse the cold.

[@TBB3rd]

Another great video. Thanks. Wonderful pictures of the nighttime sky!

[@RachelWhelton]

Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the encouraging comment.

[@Trinitysmom9]

I've been so impressed with you doing these winter hikes. Enduring this cold night and managing to take out trash as well. Bravo! Been learning a lot from you and envy the solitude and beauty that you experience on your trips!

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. Yes, solitude is magnificent out there. You really feel the largeness of wild nature. I hope to keep stepping forward into winter, trying to keep things safe but also feeeeeeel the winter.

[@lancerproductions57]

So love your videos Rachel! I want to try winter camping so much and watching you is giving me the confidence and knowledge to do so. I am so impressed with your bravery and determination. You do such a great job with your videos and presentation. It’s just something about your personality that makes your videos so enjoyable to watch. I think personally your actions and the things you think about and bring out in your videos are things all of us think about when we’re out hiking or camping and that’s what makes your videos so pleasant and relaxing to watch. As someone else said in the comments, I find myself definitely looking forward to your next video and they’re an instant click for me. Thanks Rachel so much for your beautiful content that you share with us fellow hikers. Hope to see you out there someday and thank you in person! It would be such a treat to meet you! Take care.

[@RachelWhelton]

Wow, such a kind comment! Thank you. KZbin is a great outlet for people such as introverts who don't always get their voice/personality out when in a group. I think the nature makes people feel open and free and maybe that comes across.

[@lancerproductions57]

@@RachelWhelton You mention that you’re an introvert sometimes in your videos but it’s certainly not apparent from what I can see at all. I would have never suspected that. I did have a question though about your stove that you use in cold weather. Could you elaborate on that because I know a typical propane stove won’t work in freezing temps. I see you turn your canister upside down to get the liquid out instead of the gas but I’d be interested in finding out what kind of stove it is. Thanks again Rachel.

[@BucksMom218]

Loved this!! TY! 🥾🥾🥰

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@alfredpayne1762]

awesome video, fished that many times years ago the serenity of the night sky wow

[@RachelWhelton]

Very cool. I love hearing about what people are doing at these places. I want to visit there in summer next time.

[@Willysil7]

Another great video Rachel! I really enjoy your videos 😊 I find myself anxiously awaiting for your next one. Congrats on enduring a frigid night🎉 Every day spent in the mountains is a learning opportunity. Impressed on your progression….

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks! Yes, the progression is key to holding my interest. I like the momentum of having a project with multiple chapters. This is all building towards a beautiful day with feet of snow and me digging out the vestibule and stuff. Oh that will be fun.

[@ThomasSweeny-h5m]

Thanks for all the great videos. I was fortunate to meet you when you camped at Barnes Field as you walked around the Dolly Copp campground with your camera last year. You asked if one could camp in the Campground in Winter. We tried to call the Ranger Station but no reception. Since then I asked two different rangers if camping is allowed there in the winter. They said "yes". I was a bit surprised.

[@RachelWhelton]

Wow, I am surprised too! I thought most State campgrounds were open during the winter if you walked in and paid (and cleaned up after yourself, etc.). But now I am not so sure that is true. I've got my eye to Vermont this winter because they invite you to camp so long as you call first and get a permit or let them know your plans.

[@stephaniestory9029]

Your night time photos are amazing! They could be paintings. Again, you're so brave in my eyes! Hubby and I night hike, and sometimes cook a meal, but not yet have we overnighted

[@RachelWhelton]

I thought by now I would have a night hike or sunrise hike in my experience but it hasn't really happened yet. There are many good ways to enjoy the experience in the mountains. I like the overnights because it lets me see the special light in the morning and evening. Maybe I like those even more than summit views.

[@Sue-Anna]

You are amazing! Another beautiful video! Be safe!!

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@peterfagley772]

Very impressive Rachel and grabbing that trash was an excellent example of the kind of respect you and your videos demonstrate. Where are we going next, asked the guy sitting warmly in his stuffed chair by the fire?

[@RachelWhelton]

I build up a list of possible places but never really know where I'm going next until I zoom in on the weather forecast and the week to week scheduling at home. I'm hoping for snow soon.

[@craigcampbell6961]

As you were out one night this was not critical. But one of the biggest issues for winter camping is condensation. Lots of advice on KZbin but I will mention a few things. Wetness, condensation, frost in the tent can wet your gear. Particularly down can become not very effective, and you can get very cold. You noted the tent was not for warmth - right - it is for precipitation and wind protection. It should have maximum ventilation. You, mainly breathing, give off a lot of water. Ideally you want a tent large enough that your sleeping bag does not touch the ends of the tent which will wet it. A trash bag over the foot of your sleeping bag can help re that area. Another option is a bivy sac, preferably pretty breathable. When you wake up in the night it can help to wipe down the interior with a synthetic towel. At some point you might use a plastic scraper for the frost. This becomes an ongoing issue issue over multiple nights. Take every opportunity to dry out the tent in the sun during the day. . If you get into winter camping further, you may want a 4 season tent. That requires balancing qualities for stability under snow load and wind and still provide the adequate ventilation. Depends a lot on where you are going. The White mountains have a lot of weather. Ethan Pond is one of the most protected tent locations I have stayed in - but in summer had a lot of mosquitoes :-) Great job on the photography...!!

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. Good tips!

[@RhodySeth]

I envy you. You live in a magical world of pleasure. Congratulations on your first great winter backpacking trip. I am a strong believer in the boiling water nalgene bottle. I never go to bed without it.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks, Seth. Your winter videos were a good foothold for me to believe I could do it too.

[@craigcampbell6961]

You got a lot right. Eating well is a key secret to staying warm in winter. A few thoughts - Water / Nalgene - when it is that temp, probably good to put warm water bottle in the sleeping bag (if too hot unzip), but put it in a dry bag. You didn't mention your boots freezing which is also typical. AS they are probably not dry put them in a dry bag in your sleeping bag. You also want electronics in the sleeping bag. If you are not wearing all your clothes at night, also put in sleeping bag to be warm in the morning. I got my winter bag larger to handle all this. You didn't mention your base and mid layers being damp/wet from sweat, but that is probably why you were initially cold. In cold weather you can't usually dry it out even over a fire - other than - there are a couple variations on this - but one is to put your rain gear over those and then your down layers on top. Lets your body heat dry out these layers and wet doesn't get into down.. Works best if the down layers are pretty thick - winter weight. You were out just one night. You have to develop a technique like this when out multi nights - so you have to use body heat (sure also some hand warmers, etc.) Also your feet were probably cold because your socks were damp. It is good to put on a dry pair, but put a plastic bag over them so your damp boots don't wet them. Put the damp socks under your base layer on your stomach to dry out from body heat. Showa gloves are the best for detailed / camera work. Light gloves under - Zpacks possum bushtail are good. Then your mitts over. Happy winter camping.

[@RachelWhelton]

Good tips. No sweat on this day. Just wasn't wearing a lot of layers as I finished the hike. Should have layered up before getting cold but it happened suddenly when I got to the pond. I'll keep working on the details.

[@sueb860]

Great video. Glad your gear passed the test and you had a comfortable night!

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks!

[@MikeRyder-ml2mb]

Another winter camping trip in the cold and alone. Impressive. You're braver than me...

[@RachelWhelton]

Luckily it all went smoothly. So beautiful out there with nothing going on except freezing of all things.

[@AmandaDouin]

Brave!! This is my goal.. I have all the gear but haven’t tried yet.. Ty for getting through the discomfort initially and capturing the sunset and night sky! Beautiful. And again - loved the cooking scene.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. What is working best for me is the step by step approach and choosing locations where it would be relatively easy to bail on the plan. Especially when solo, I try to keep a safety margin. Hope to also bring husband soon which might let me go a bit farther up the mountain. We shall see. Planning is half the battle so you are on the way. Wish it, plan it, do it.

[@derbywinner6316]

You are brave to hike in the cold 🥶.thank you for picking up the trash

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. Yes, it has taken me some years to finally get up the determination to really try this. So far, so good.

[@badgercockedlockedmc5143]

I like what you're doing. I also solo hike and have been to the pond, but in the summer months. I truly have no interest in winter hiking. But you rock on and I'll watch 👍

[@RachelWhelton]

Sounds good! It must be very nice in summer.

[@mimir.569]

You did it ! The night videos and pictures are amazing !

[@RachelWhelton]

Yay! Thank you!

[@billcahill8825]

Hearing the pond make ice at night is an eerie sound…it’s also just as eerie when you’re ice fishing and it happens and cracks under your feet.

[@RachelWhelton]

Ooh, yes, that sounds interesting. It's hard to mimic the sounds so I want to hear them again.

[@lisaaubin1600]

I'm finishing the 48 footers, but then also want to camp more overnight. Good 4 u!!

[@RachelWhelton]

Good job on those 48! I miss them.

[@johnmys5am]

Pretty sunset. Love winter hiking. Great as long as you're prepared.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, and you never really know if you are prepared until it's happening!

[@brandonh4380]

Im really surprised your iso/pro gas stove worked in those cold temps. I never had much luck with them below 20 degrees. I got myself a MSR Whisper light white gas setup and it works great in the severe cold temps. Great video though!

[@RachelWhelton]

My husband has the whisper light and he thinks it is the best choice. I was not sure I wanted to deal with white gas so for me this one is worth a try.

[@jonbassett8023]

You ROCK!! Signed, a fellow backpacker who just did a 3 night Sawyer Pond trail trip in early September at site #5 (when the weather was FINE).

[@RachelWhelton]

Three nights - good trip. I get off easy doing the one nights so I respect you people out there for multiple nights.

[@jonbassett8023]

@@RachelWhelton Au contraire, my dear Rachel. You are far too humble. You do NOT "get off easy"! I camped out in perfect fall weather with lows of about 50 each night while you're actually spending nights in sub-freezing temps. Every degree matters! Just watched your video of Ethan Pond at 6 degrees...HOLY COW! That's COLD! Also, your talent for describing your experiences with personal detail, and the superb photography along with the perfect background music is incredible. Give yourself a resounding WELL DONE! I am humbled by your efforts and dedication. Keep em coming but BE SAFE!

[@pgreenx]

It’s so interesting that people at different perspectives on things. I find the hardest part of winter camping getting up in the morning …..

[@RachelWhelton]

Interesting!

[@jeffrichardson7313]

The space station was really nice to see on that night scene. You looked really cold. Nice video.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. The night sky photo/video is an area where I can learn a lot, which keeps this all very interesting. I am still trying to catch some falling stars.

[@filmic1]

5ºF, that's -15ºC, gadzooks, you're tough. That sound track makes it look almost cozy. Not for these old bones.... Thanks for sharing all that work!

[@RachelWhelton]

Ha ha, yes, that's right. Well that is part of the fun of making the video, to share with people who don't want the cold. That is why I watch big mountain skiers jumping off cliffs - but I myself prefer to keep my feet on solid earth.

[@eyeswideopen627]

Wow im very impressed with you and your adventure. Such a very honest vlog. Im old and that kind of cold would be too much for me. When i used yo do it many many years ago I would learn do much from each trip. What was my weak points? Toes, fingers, sleep mat, more fuel, etc.

[@RachelWhelton]

Glad you enjoyed it! Yes, more fuel is at the top of my list. I wonder if winter camping might become more popular in the coming decades as newer gear might make it a little easier. This one was cold and hard but it made the next one seem much easier in comparison.

[@barrygraber9776]

Great video just wondering can you fly your drone at night? Also can you share the App that gives information on the space station. Thanks

[@RachelWhelton]

OK I guess I switched from an app to the NASA sign up where I get email notifications. Check the NASA page. SpottheStation.nasa.gov. As for drones - not allowed unless you go off trail etc. I think I've seen people fly a drone at night but I myself am not very good at it and my drone has crashed before at dusk. Good idea though.

[@DanGtube32]

What sleeping bag did you use for this trip? Thanks

[@RachelWhelton]

Western Mountaineering Sequoia as my main bag (major investment) and then laid over top I had my summer bag, which is a Thermarest Ohm 32, which unzips out flat like a quilt.

[@Patrick-vo3cr]

Amazing quality photos. What camera and lens are you using?

[@RachelWhelton]

Sony A7iv with a Sony 20mm lens that opens to 1.8 aperture. iPhone 14 Pro Max. GoPro 12.

[@Patrick-vo3cr]

@RachelWhelton That's what I thought you probably had. I'm moving away from Cannon camera I'm not happy with. Best part is that I can use my cannon lens with the Sony.

[@RachelWhelton]

@@Patrick-vo3cr I gave my old Canon to my teenager. I sold my Fuji to buy the Sony. I am very happy now and think this is the right long term gear for me.

[@CrusaderPatriot]

Hey Rachel, I'm a new subscriber from Wisconsin. I'm really interested in the camera your using that takes video at night? What's the make and model? Thanks in advance!

[@RachelWhelton]

Sony A7iv with a Sony 20mm lens that goes to a 1.8 aperture, which I've been leaving wide open. This is by far the best camera I've ever had and it was worth trading in others to get it.

[@reluctantcartoonist9075]

Rachel next time bury your water bottle in snow and it won't freeze.

[@RachelWhelton]

Ahhhh, I didn't think of that - snow as insulator. Great tip, thank you!