Winter Camping in the White Mountains of NH

[@normanc.2021]

Awesome thing do get out in the woods fresh air. Be safe 🙏

[@RoberthSagdahl]

So beautiful.🥲🤠

[@TerryX2Explore]

The woods are so beautiful in the winter!! You look snug as a bug in a rug! Sunrise in the woods - there is nothing better! Glad your fall wasn't too serious! ;-) 💙Terry and Terri

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. Yes, the sunrise - that adds so much. I try to arrange for that ahead of time but it often seems too much to ask. So when it showed up here, I was thrilled and grateful.

[@TBB3rd]

Thanks so much for reminding me of the importance of " getting out of your comfort zone". I just turned 80 and it is very tempting to take the easy route. But that's the road to disaster. So, I'll try to view challenges and difficulties as opportunities rather than obstacles. And by the way, boy did that look cold!

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, as I age I am finding the instinct to stay home and the ease of finding joy in the simple chores of cooking and reading, are only ever stronger. But if you reduce all challenge, you become weak and anxious. We have to keep walking and chopping wood (so to speak) to stay robust and clear minded.

[@MattBolduc-j4v]

Glad to see you had a beautiful couple of days to experience the peacefulness of winter camping. Thank you for all your efforts to take us along and share it with us. You took me back to my December 2023 trip when I looped over Passaconway and Whiteface. You’ve inspired me to get out there again this winter. Thanks again for bring us out there with you.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks for the nice comment. That is the best a KZbin video about hiking can do - to share some views and remind people of their own interest in the outdoors.

[@lauriefish58]

Thanks for the adventure, that pack sure looked heavy! Impressive to see someone purposely going out of their comfort zone. Here’s to more camping!

[@RachelWhelton]

And coming back to comforts after that is extra good.

[@notquiteultralight1701]

You are absolutely correct on the 200’ rule and thank you for doing your best within what’s practical for safety. 200’ for pooping or camping away from both trail and water source. On tent placement and pitching, stomp your tent pad out with your snowshoes on and full pack on your back so you get your snow fully packed down as much as possible. The booties seem like a great idea! I need to pick some up! You looked really cozy!😊 I have a question for you…. How do you determine where to put your bear canister? I’m wondering if bears are too smart for the PCT bear hang method around these parts😅. Take care and thanks for this one. NQU Edit…. You’ve also inspired me to fix my used Kelly frame pack!!!😊

[@RachelWhelton]

Bear can - Usually I walk far enough away that it does not bother me to imagine a bear coming at 2 am and trying to take it. If the bear comes, fine - but I don't want to know. Bear hang is lighter weight but for me was added stress of finding a decent tree. Kelly pack - Yes, adjusting it and fixing it sound good. Fit is the most important thing I guess. And then weight of the bag.... hmnmnmn.....

[@barrygraber9776]

Beautiful setting. That sunrise was spectacular. Thanks Rachel

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, those are the best kind of mornings!

[@barbarianland]

So wonderful to see a lady out challenging herself in the winter!! I’ve been winter camping since I was a kid , nothing like it. Glad you had some good calm weather to enjoy your trip. Thanks for sharing ❤

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks for the encouragement.

[@Sandora-LW]

The sound of wind thru the pines....awesome

[@RachelWhelton]

Ahhh, good comment. It is good to see the beautiful side of the wind!

[@rockytopwrangler2069]

...Looked like a good time .. Yes, winter backpacking requires a few additional pounds but my take on that is that "it is what it is" ... unless it's your first time or two , your loadout is probably where it should be .. For those questioning on the external framed pack , they carry better than an internal framed pack for trail comfort but if you have a habit of bushwhacking with a lot of bending ,, an internal frame works best ,(and usually lighter) ... Sometimes the commercial meals are a little off but we know it's the calories we need .. I always keep a variety of freeze dried on hand ,, but over the years when I know the itch to go backpacking , I make much of my own dried and vacuum sealed meals ,, much by just making too large of portions of dinner meals and making use of "extra" this way a few weeks before ... Suggest when winter packing with snow on the ground or forecast , to use both(2) trekking poles with the snow baskets on , they do aid in support ... Agree with your comment in using a good air mattress ,, even in dry conditions and a foam layer added is bonus , as they weight near nothing and also work as a sit pad and door mat to the tent ... Good comfortable rest is needed on sore muscles and joints ... Sometimes unused gear seams like a burden ,, but essentials are important ,, especially when travelling solo ... even more so in winter conditions .. Stay Safe ..

[@JessicaPollins]

Thank you for taking us on your winter adventure!

[@RachelWhelton]

Thank you too. The videos have become a rewarding part of the journey.

[@196813JSC]

That’s a great winter trip!! Drat…I have one of those Summit Breakfast Scrambles in my supplies…nothing worse than an MRE disappointment on an adventure! Thanks for sharing your trip; looking forward to seeing your next adventure!! ❄️🏕️

[@RachelWhelton]

The rehydrated egg bits were not so bad. They have another meal similar to this but also ruined by a crazy amount of pepper. I think they should just put a spice pack on the side for people who need that much spice.

[@196813JSC]

@ one MRE I recently tried was the Mountain House Chicken and Dumplings. It tasted like a chicken pot pie! Either that or I was super hungry while camping. Seems as though I can’t buy that MRE meal in Canada for some reason. 🙁We have a local Army supply store and they sell military MRE’s. I bought a turkey chili MRE and it’s a complete meal with dessert and a drink mix too. Looking forward to giving that a try but will have to work for it as it’s like 2500 calories!!🤷‍♀️😂

[@RachelWhelton]

@@196813JSC That's a lot of calories. Amazing. The chicken one sounds good. I think I've heard other people also say it was good. This morning I tried cooking food in my camp pot and I think it worked so I might try that next time. But yeah for your longer term outing, you will need some dehydrated food for easy packing.

[@196813JSC]

@ you are such a creative ‘camp chef’ when it comes to meals and bring leftovers too!! I’m trying to up my game in this area. 🏕️🥪🥘🍴

[@PumpkinVillage]

Excellent adventure and well done. Yes getting out of a warm bag in the morning is so hard. Take care, Al

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. It's truly amazing we can be warm out in the winter woods just because of a sleeping bag.

[@CynthiaYackenchick]

What an adventurous gal you are. You are an inspiration. I’m camping in a yurt up in Maine next weekend because I felt like winter camping but just couldn’t get enough courage to do it in a tent. Thanks for taking us along and for going so real!

[@RachelWhelton]

Yurts totally count as adventure!!!

[@joankline343]

Gosh that looks like another fun adventure. Yeah that ice will get you when you least expect it. Thanks for sharing another beautiful hiking 🥾 and camping adventure! I greatly enjoyed it. Be careful, stay safe and enjoy your Hike. 🥾 🌲🌅 🙏

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks so much! Hiking in winter is so serene and quiet. There might have been a minute when I considered aliens could land there; but listening to the book kept my mind at peace and focused on reality.

[@barythompson4781]

Beautiful area, fantastic sunrise! Loved the camping spot you chose. Looking forward to the 2nd adventure this season.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yes, the sunrise was so lucky. I didn't expect that and it was the best part.

[@elizabethmague9198]

Nice adventure Rachel! 🥾🏔 Thanks for sharing.

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks! I had a lot of fun making it. I appreciate the nice comment.

[@BucksMom218]

Yay a new adventure….🥾🥾🥶🥰

[@RachelWhelton]

One adventure leads to another!

[@alfredpayne1762]

awesome Rachel nice video keep on ah going

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. Thanks for the encouragement.

[@peterfagley772]

Nice to have you in the neighborhood, looked like a great outings!

[@RachelWhelton]

Thanks. Yes, nice neighborhood indeed!

[@RhodySeth]

Maybe you camped on an ice slab but who knows, it was a lovely spot! Glad you got out for a winter night.

[@RachelWhelton]

Now that I am home, I really wish I had slid down the slab.

[@MikeRyder-ml2mb]

Nice trip. Liked the way you showed us how you search out a camp site off the trail. (as so much of that landscape looked at an angle). That's a giant pack! Glad you were able to get it back on when you headed out.

[@RachelWhelton]

Yeah, my husband said the same thing about the slope angle. Hard to say if it was that sloped or if I was holding the camera slightly off? My eye kept adjusting but then I would slip and slide on the ice, or my cook stove would be tilting and slipping.... so I think that slope might be real. I would not camp in that same spot again LOL. At one point I slid totally off my air mat.

[@bobcou1]

Beautiful spot! I do like the sandwich range because its less populated ( usually). Do you use a blow up air pad to sleep on or just that accordion pad? or both! Great video! Thanks Rachel. 😊

[@RachelWhelton]

I have a Thermarest closed cell foam accordion mat with one side being silver and also a Thermarest inflatable air mat with a 5.7 R value. I think they both help a lot. Husband never uses an air mat but I always try to get him to use one to see the difference. It compensates for rocks and helps insulate your body heat. The first time I laid on the 2 mat combo on the snowy ground, I was shocked at how I felt no cold from the ground!

[@bobcou1]

@@RachelWhelton ​ Yes, I think I would need both too! Thanks! Not sure if I will try winter camping lol....But I am gathering info just in case I get brave!

[@RachelWhelton]

@@bobcou1 I think it's one of those things like getting into cold water, that when you get out, you feel amazing!

[@martinledoux594]

"Do I really want to do this?" I keep trying to camp in my backyard (mainly to test my equipment in cold temps) so that I'm not asking the same questions later (either while packing for a trip, or once I'm on a mountain). However, I still ask the question before heading outside into the yard at night....and often that makes it easy to abort the mission, and I end up favoring a warm bed. I feel like if I do it enough times, that won't be the obstacle....just the 40 lbs of pack-weight.

[@RachelWhelton]

The one time I camped in my backyard, a raccoon came at 2:00 am. I was unable to see him (but later saw it on the trail camera) so I didn't for sure know if it was a raccoon. The mere thought if it possibly being a bear terrified me and no amount of yelling or clapping etc. scared him away. Finally I ended up running in the house (which of course would have been a terrible idea if it was a bear). Since then - never camped out there again.

[@pedalparadise4096]

We have a bobcat in the neighborhood. I haven't camped in the yard since I saw him out there! Somehow it's different when the encounter is someplace that usually feels safe.

[@RachelWhelton]

@@pedalparadise4096 We have bobcats in our area sometimes also. They are marvelous. Timid of humans so nothing to worry about and magical like seeing an owl. The chance of him coming anywhere near a human camp must be super duper low. Not like tigers. Tigers are a whole different story.

[@pedalparadise4096]

@RachelWhelton thanks. Maybe the bobcat will keep the skunks away. I'll give it a try again when it goes above 30°!

[@martinledoux594]

@ Yes, not like tigers, and yet, I don't fear the tigers in our area.

[@andrewmacaulay1585]

New Brunswick Canada 🇨🇦 51 st state 🤠

[@RachelWhelton]

What percentage of Canadians speak French?

[@martinledoux594]

Could you provide a high-level weight breakdown - like how much of that 40 lbs was water weight? Was it 10 lbs of water? How many liters did you bring? I know you have to account for 2 days of drinking plus water for cooking. Also, sometimes you flip the fuel can over - this time you didn't. What's that about?

[@RachelWhelton]

I suspect you would not be impressed with my weight breakdown. Too many camera batteries (not used). Several items just in case (not used) such as first aid kit, Garmin, compass, snow stakes, guy lines... As for water I only had the 32 ounce microsite jug in the neoprene case and also a 12 ounce regular water bottle. I still had several ounces left as I returned to the car. I will be working to get the weight down but I am not exactly a shining example of how to pack. The pack is 6 lbs. The bear can is 2 lbs. Stuff just adds up.

[@LaoSoftware]

I got lost a half mile from the parking lot before. When the trail is cover in snow, it's easy to get lost. Don't be stupid like me. Safety is first priority. Let everyone know. Your family, friends, and co-workers.

[@RachelWhelton]

I was in constant communication with my wonderful husband!

[@marcohanig176]

I an avid follower and I really enjoy your videos and personality. I hope you won't mind a bit of advice from a "friend" you've never met. When you said your pack weighed 40 lbs at the beginning of the video, I was shaking my head like a bobble head. When you could barely hoist the pack the next morning, I really felt bad for you. In some of your videos I've seen you poke fun at yourself in this regard, but seriously, even with all the camera equipment, you can do much better. My suggestion: find a good real-life friend who is an experienced backpacker, and have them go through your pack with you to help you downsize. I promise you won't regret it--and not just for the greater enjoyment now, but also to save wear and tear on your body so you can keep hiking injury-free for many years to come.🌄🌲⛺

[@RachelWhelton]

Yeah I suppose this may be true. Then last night I watched Seth's gear load out video and was surprised his weight came out around the same! Anyway I think what I will do is work on it and think of it as a long term thing, to reduce weight. Because it doesn't bother me too much. By summer of course, it will be lower. Thanks for the well wishes and trying to help.

[@robertmadison2752]

@@RachelWhelton Thirty-nine pounds is on the heavy side for us "older" folks, but when you combine the extra weight of winter gear AND the photography gear AND the bear can--well, there doesn't really seem to be a mismatch. The weight of your camera gear is what allows you to make the video and the weight of your winter gear lets you come back safely to share it. I still carry bits of gear I haven't used in fifty years--but they contribute to my sense of security. And then there are the unecessarily heavy pieces (like the thin-bladed Gerber sheath-knife that is so good at slicing cheese) that simply contribute to the joy.

[@RachelWhelton]

@@robertmadison2752 Cheese sounds worth it. To be fair, my back and knee were a bit sore for two days after this. But I don't need to do that very often so it's a trade-off with distance in my opinion.

[@marcohanig176]

@@RachelWhelton Of course this advice comes from a guy who needs to lose 20 lbs of weight period, which seems to be harder than lightening the load. 😉