That Time I Hiked with a Broken Face - Backpacking the Great Gulf Wilderness

[@emmamoller8845]

the cloud shot at 12 min was amazing!

[@emmamoller8845]

this video is full of amazing shots.

[@emmamoller8845]

every video you post you remind me why I hit the gym.

[@michaelsowers8584]

I have spent many years hiking and climbing in the White Mountains. I don't know where you are from, but I will tell you that, in my opinion, you capture the essence of hiking in the White Mountains better than anyone who has posted. I frequently enjoy watching your videos. You do a superb job representing the entire experience as it really is.

[@richardjones990]

Dange Shawn I am so proud of you for not packing it in after taking a header in the White Mountains. I'm also glad T.J. Was on this trip to help keep everything together. Well done guys and thanks to both of you for taking us a long.

[@barbarawilliams5621]

Oh my goodness! Pain, but you soldiered on! (Your wife must have been concerned! )Thank you for keeping TJ’s comedy routine….we laughed and laughed! You two make a great team….

[@gottabyke1]

Awesome video. Glad you're ok. Was there with my brother Sept 30- Oct 3. Did a 32 mile loop of the Presi's. Already planning my next trip back. All thanks to your videos. You convinced me to go and now I'm addicted.

[@PracticalOutdoorist]

Sorry about the injury ! But definitely a cool lookin shiner there! Glad you are OK and you two kept at it. Thanx for takin us along!

[@kathrynhines4884]

So glad you were not hiking alone on this trip. Something like that rattles you...and you'll be more cautious in future situations. As I go on my first adventure tomorrow after healing from three fractures... I so look forward to your trips.

[@freeman47]

I grew up hiking the Whites. Living in Virginia now and spend most my hiking time here. Was great seeing the presidential range made me want to do my own road trip up there and hike them again. Homesick

[@MrKelso159]

That has always been my biggest horror is when I'm alone and I have an accident with no one to help. Glad you had your friend with you. I know how you felt when I forgot something and thought it was gone forever. Take care.

[@scottspringer4263]

Thank God your ok! Way to push through!

[@imdabeef]

You're a beast! Continuing to hike, film and commentate after busting up your eye.

[@paulkick7870]

Glad to see that you are OK. As great as they are, your videos are not worth physical injuries. PK

[@DanSmith-qi5pm]

Thanks for bringing your videos back to old school Syntax77. I really appreciated that, or maybe it's that I'm partial to the Whites. I also enjoyed the new camera angles, nice work! Now I'm waiting for you to go and do my next trip before I go - Mahoosuc Notch. Thx man

[@GreatLakesBackpacker]

Darn, that had to put a momentary scare into you. At least you followed one of the basic rules of outdoor "survival" -- don't panic. Glad to see that your injury was nothing serious. At least you have a story to talk about. Back in 2013 my buddies and I were hiking at Isle Royale National Park. We had already finished hiking for the night and had managed to secure a shelter. Shortly after unpacking all of our gear and setting up everything a park ranger showed up and asked if we would please vacate our shelter due to a medical emergency, since it was the closest to the ranger's quarters and the boat dock. Later we spoke with the husband of the female victim. He said that they had been hiking along a wet, slippery rock outcropping when his wife slipped and fell. She ended up with a compound break in her leg and the bone was almost through the skin. We saw her hobbling along on crutches toward the outhouse and her foot was at almost a 90 degree angle to where it should have been. They had been in a remote area but were fortunately near the shore and her husband was lucky enough to attract the attention of a passing ranger patrol boat. Nature is a great place to be, but it has the potential to inflict serious injuries. Thanks for sharing the trip, I really enjoyed it.

[@EatCarbs]

Ouch.. hope you healed up quickly. Thanks for the video

[@jermc68]

Great video, man!! Glad you were able to finish the trip out even if the plan changed. Hope you're feeling better. Good on you for posting it and using it as a learning opportunity for us all.

[@alstaubin3699]

Great video as always. Hope the eye is doing better and healing quickly.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, the shiner is gone now. :) Just a bit of scar tissue at the point of impact, but I'm just going to tell people that I fought a bear or something...

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

Ouch! Hope your feeling better. Take it easy for a few weeks. Thanks for the video!

[@HJH413]

Love your channel Syntax, can't wait to see some more trips.

[@MuvoTX]

Wow!!! Thank goodness youre ok. Great adventure thanks for sharing!!!

[@shakergilbert3145]

Another great video and you taught a valuable lesson here... keep calm, stay focused. I've had a couple of falls last month while backpacking the Dolly Sods - all the mud makes for slippery conditions. Lucky for me, I just got banged up a bit but nothing like what you just experienced. I think it'd be easy to get disoriented and since you didn't have your pack, if conditions - weather or otherwise, were worse... you would of had a pretty tough time. You kept your head, I think I'll take that away from this video... shit happens, keeping it together is critical. Always a great video man.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Rebooted. A nice fall certainly does change the tone of a trip pretty quickly, doesn't it? Glad to hear that you didn't get to messed up either. Thankfully, I do carry a small assortment of first aid in the front pack I was wearing, but thanks to those guys I ran into I didn't even have to mess with it. That mega bandage was much easier to apply without worrying about perfect placement over the wound. He gave me a spare as well, that I'll be keeping in the kit for future trips as well.

[@denali9643]

Dude. After being up after 4am watching the election, I was so excited to see you post another episode! Sorry for the header - great reminder how quickly things can go bad in the wild.

[@drewlucero3916]

Love the video can't wait for your next adventure 👀👀👍

[@swatsullivan]

Glad you were able to continue ok after the fall (and that you didn't get a concussion or worse!). Lucky you were not solo hiking this time. Always good to have superglue to glue cuts up (or to protect from infection, leave it open but put on some amerigel). Bet Sara and Denali were glad you got back safe! Would love to go backpacking in the Whites someday. Great views! I would need to get in better shape for all those ascents. Really enjoy your videos. Looking forward to the next one.

[@alexwbanks70]

Nice shot rock! Glad you healed man.

[@thedivide3688]

Love your videos! Thank you! To an amazing 2017 full of adventure and the great outdoors...

[@kevinbungles]

Awesome scenery and looked a good walk. Hope your ok and not scarred sintax

[@jtorrice35]

I missed you guys by a week! did my first overnight at the Osgood tentsite after climbing madison a week after you haha. Thanks for the videos man, you've inspired my friends and I to explore the whites, keep up the great work.

[@sintax77]

Right on! Glad to hear you've been checking it out up there. It's a really awesome area.

[@jerry3579]

It's also a great place to retire:-) How ya doin' sintax, been a while? Hope someday we bump into each other up here.

[@sintax77]

Hey, Jerry. Doing well :) I can see how living up there year round would be pretty nice, indeed.

[@Roger-ny9xr]

Great hike!

[@mulchies]

thanks for this. needed it this morning.

[@mulchies]

wow, commented on this before I watched it. Hope you're alright after the gnarly spill. Much love from KY

[@kevinc1118]

great video, thanks for sharing.

[@itstotalchaos457]

Ouch!! Such a trooper!

[@drivecrasher]

I was up there hiking Columbus day weekend, about a week and a half after this video. The weather was still decent then.

[@jamestaulbee3074]

looks like a bad fall! glad you're ok. great video as always!

[@gregb7353]

Great hike. Before your next trip and especially before you go to the whites again, you should check out a windscreen for your cameras. The GoPros are a problem especially if you use the enclosures to protect them but there should be lots of options for your Sony.

[@BradliusMaximus]

Sucks to see you fell. That's just one reason why I still use trekking poles; they've saved me from so many falls and sprained ankles that I consider them to be mandatory gear for me so I'll always carry them.

[@samualiam9981]

Where is the reaction video of Sara's face when she saw yours?

[@BryceNewbold]

I was also hoping for the sara reaction video. haha

[@Twobarpsi]

KEEP SARAH AT HOME

[@samualiam9981]

Twobarpsi Keep yourself at home!

[@Twobarpsi]

Samual Iam SARAH = BRINGING SAND TO THE BEACH.

[@samualiam9981]

Twobarpsi Don't like it? Don't watch it.

[@bp2352]

Great hike way to troop it out with the face. Lol the top of the mountain with the restraunt and the train will be coming to Mt Everest soon

[@simontempler3239]

Another great video...just found your channel a few days ago..and subscribed ...Keep up the good work..

[@dominicbarratt3433]

Great vid bud. Stunning views. I like how u kept ur composure in the face of that adversity! Good man👍🏻 whatever don't kill u makes u stronger. Well so they say!:) thank Dom.

[@ish2998]

After numerous videos of you saying on camera that you put very little importance on medical, hope you learned your lesson. Worth the ounces.

[@OutLan]

Man, thank you so much for posting this today. After all of the political BS, this is exactly what I needed. You are hands down my favorite outdoor channel (after my own, of course. Lol!) Keep them coming!

[@sintax77]

Thanks, OutLan. Glad to hear you enjoyed the vid!

[@brianc1481]

I'd love to see you do the Wild River Wilderness again..I saw a video a few years back and it POURED the whole time. Me and my brother have that on our list.. Probably like early to mid June of next year.. Great video as usual bud.

[@peteralexander6514]

"You're sven, I'll be alfred." You guys rock.

[@christopherbiegel9553]

Another great video. I would have loved to see Sara's reaction when he first saw your face.

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Wow, sorry you hurt your face! I sympathise so much - boulders can be super treacherous. I dislocated my shoulder about 2 months ago coming down boulders in the Drakensberg. I'm really glad you didn't do more damage or knock yourself unconscious - that would have been nasty!

[@Markam248]

Ouch! Rocks , rocks and more rocks.

[@user-sl7ck6ye9z]

Ive never heard of the Great Gulf. That place looks pretty rad.

[@biggiefrye45]

And you didn't even have your spot on you if things had gotten really bad. glad you're on brother

[@winslowwalks]

Way to keep truckin' brother! My wife had a mild ankle injury over the weekend on a day hike and we thought that was an ordeal. Shot to the face would've really freaked us out! See ya out there!

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Chris! An ankle injury could actually be worse though - at least I didn't need to use my face to walk out of there. :D

[@BryceNewbold]

Probably the coolest you've ever looked with all the blood dripping down your face. haha. Great video man. I watch them all

[@ejdoeseverything]

Quick clot powder is a great thing to carry when hiking in the whites! Great video - though this did make me wonder; whatever happened to Zeke from the Pemi loop video - did he catch the bug to keep hiking?

[@johngarcia3]

Thanks for another great video, way to hang in there after a fall. They always say chicks dig scars!

[@carasjourneyhiking7690]

Hey guys. Your fall reminds me of the fall I had while hiking in new Hampshire. I slipped on a wobbly rock while trying to drink from my bottle. When I tried to catch myself, one hand landed on a spiky rock, the other fist punched a second rock (still holding a bottle), and my face face planted into the side of a big rock. My bottle hand's fingers broke from the force. The other hand had a deep gash. And, my face, looked like I lost a fist fight. Still don't know how I managed to camp one more night, and hike down to my car the next day. Luckily, I was with a hiking group from meetup. A nice lady even helped me do things like, pulling my pants down and up to take a pee. It was embarrassing, but created a good laugh in the end.

[@sintax77]

That sounds terrible, but I'm glad to hear you made it through it. I reminded myself a few times that it could have been a lot worse had I landed differently (teeth, nose etc). After thinking about those outcomes, the black eye didn't seem so bad after all.

[@carasjourneyhiking7690]

Yeah, you were very lucky. You were lucky even more for hiking in new hamshire! I haven't gone back since my fall. :-( if you guys come down to Va. again, I wouldn't mind coming out to hike with y'all. If you hike with fans, haha. I recommend: dolly sods, half moon mountain, lake moomaw, Ramsey's draft, and apple orchard falls.

[@cfraimondo233]

Sintax one of these trips you gotta check out Alpine Meadows coming down from Washington. It's cool as hell.

[@brent2455]

Sintax77, pocket IFAKS are a must. you still have them even if u loose your pack

[@jay_zooks7125]

Glad you're ok. Just became a subscriber a week ago. As a beginner at backpacking you and a few others are a great inspiration for many out there. I've searched for reliable hikers and backpackers to watch to gain some knowledge as I began my treks. I hope to one day share as well. Again, Glad you're ok and look forward to future videos. One Question.......do you have another trip planned for Utah or Colorado? I'm in Colorado Springs.

[@scottdunbar4898]

Holy cheeseballs man! Glad you're alright. You almost won a very expensive ride in a Blackhawk. Bless your heart...

[@ShredTactix]

Dang bro, sorry about your face, but an epic trip for sure!

[@davidcolinstillman5585]

GLAD YOU'RE OK! WHAT KIND OF SHOES DID TJ HAVE ON ? GLAD YOU BOTH MADE IT SAFELY BACK TO THE CAR, TRUCK. WOULDN'T WANT TO DO SLEET & RAIN. HOW'S YOUR CAMERA? AWESOME VIDEOS TOO! BE SAFE! GOD BLESS YOU BOTH ALWAYS! ENJOYED!

[@Nade375]

I know that this is an old video but I am just seeing this for the first time. As a medic I feel the need to also mention besides the ibuprofen thinning your blood the cold n altitude play a major role in your body's ability to clot which is why it may have taken longer. Lastly any cuts on your head or face will always bleed a lot especially with your heart rate being up from hiking n the higher altitude. I seen it all the time sneaking around the mountains of trashghanistan back in the day!

[@sintax77]

Great info, Nade! Thank you for sharing.

[@BS0821]

I just realized why this injury happened... in a recent video you were talking about your hiking pants and how they've held up well for so long... you jinxed yourself. .. and now they're torn and bloody.

[@sintax77]

Haha, I actually had that same exact thought after realizing that I ripped the knee up. I still refuse to retire them though. :)

[@austinmccown1185]

Curious about your coffee setup. Have you discussed this in a previous video that I could check out? Thanks and keep doing your thing!

[@robertfmccarthy2360]

Nice job, keeping In the game. Camera would of made it back to you, yes pricey but replaceable too Thanks, Glad he weather was good

[@derrickfelix503]

Sintax 77: Without the cosmetic mirror, life can and is a little harder,. Hope all's well . Cheers

[@restoreallthings1806]

I'm at 14:00 following the Werner Herzog music/sound edit of the time lapse into the jog scamper and knowing what awaits ... Vitamin E directly unto the scar helps, glad your alright brother.

[@johnmcdonald5274]

Great video Sintax, man you took a right hopper, ouch! When will be the next go time camp? Deer season! I saw white rook was up there recently. Take care.

[@jasonwaugh3753]

Great vid. Awesome views!!! Let us know if your ok. It look like a bad cut.

[@corinaalmaguer2454]

Cool video windy!! Omg! Your 👁!! It’s puffy

[@Warrior_Resisting_Colonialism]

Nice shiner.

[@Roger-ny9xr]

Based on my own experience, I think if you were using trekking poles ("sissy sticks") you probably wouldn't have taken such a big fall. Once you're used to hiking with them, they come in real handy providing multiple points of contact with the ground giving you the opportunity to be more stable, thus preventing falls.

[@geezus1201]

You are dedicated to the hike.

[@uptrail7169]

What suspension are you using with the Half-Wit? I ordered the woopie slings for my new hammock. I'll still use my Half-Wit for my ultralight setup. The new hammock is my 2nd Warbonnet Blackbird. Now both myself and my wife will each have one for when she comes backpacking. It's weighs about 22 oz, but the comfort is amazing and sometimes it's nice having the full net.

[@sintax77]

I've been experimenting with different suspensions on my last few trips with the half-wit. For this one, I went with titanium cinch buckles and standard polyester straps. I run Dutch's Whoopie Hook system on it sometimes as well. It definitely packs down nicer than the bulkier straps.

[@69Muscle]

Happy New Year to you and your family Sintax77. Keep up the great videos. I'm going to be moving back to New Hampshire in 1+ years - maybe see you in the White Mountains - my 2nd home since 1978. Take care.

[@sintax77]

Thanks, Stephen - same to you and yours! And congrats on moving out the NH!

[@TreeCamps]

Gnarly! Great Vids!

[@attchaphomemovies3620]

Was hoping for a reaction video when you saw you wife. Nice shiner!

[@aklags]

What river did you cross on that suspension bridge? What a nice spot.

[@matthewmunro9789]

As usual great video, how is your face? Whites are amazing, I got to hike Washington on Sept 24, almost got to the summit for sunrise. Got to see sunrise from Hermit lake.

[@sintax77]

It healed up just fine. Swelling went down after a handful of days, and the black eye hung around for a couple of awkward weeks ;) Only thing still hanging around is some scarring at the point of impact. Glad to hear you made it up there yourself and got a nice sunrise out of it!

[@noelderosier]

Shawn, if you guys went down to Lake of the Clouds hut on the second day. We would've ran into each other I did the Southern Presies.

[@jeremy6249]

Hey man I am planning on stealth camping on the Daniel Webster Scout Trail to start a presidential traverse. Do you remember seeing good stealth sites and reliable water sources?

[@DennisMathias]

Just wondering if you've ever TRIED a walking pole..or two in those rocky less sure areas. Just thinking that it might stabilize you a bit. I know you haven't used them before. As we get older I've found they're comforting and handy. Course I am 71.

[@sintax77]

Yes, definitely. I actually started out with poles and totally see the value in them. For me me personally, they can be a bit cumbersome just because I typically already have my hands full with filming the videos. My friend Mike tends to develop knee pain on longer hikes, and I know he's planning on going back to using them more.

[@edevil4347]

sintax77 you could use the pole as a camera mount

[@Kerobinson15]

digging the beard man

[@claire_A-T]

Wow !! of all the hikes you've taken us on ...this has GOT to be the most dangerous.... truly an ankle breaking hike. I'm glad I didn't have to walk it. Sorry about your face...I think hiking poles would help on this trip. What do you think?

[@JoelVmo]

46:54 Sasquatch tree structure in the background!

[@Busboss1811]

wombA wpmbA where?

[@Ekoumoutzis]

Hey this video is great. I am planning on doing this loop in August 2017. Are there tent camping options off the Sphinx trail at the day 1 camp site?

[@sintax77]

+Erick Koumoutzis Thanks, Eric. Yes, you should find some nice tent spots down in that area. In fact, we even saw some tent campers set up a bit deeper in the woods from us when we were there.

[@richstone2627]

Your eye looked like a minor flesh wound until the next day. Then it looked like Mike Tyson socked ya. Good stuff. Thanks and hope you feel better.

[@junelopez9520]

That happen to me sometime ago so I carry walking sticks for balance.

[@silveradoman298]

That eye looked a little sore the next day sintax. Stay safe out there.

[@GeneralPreparedness1]

During your time lapse that sounds like Chinese lion dancing drumming going on. Very cool. Sorry about your face!

[@uptrail7169]

I'm looking forward to watching this video later tonight after work. When was this backpack trip? It looked like a nasty cut. So far the only thing that happened to me was when filming last year I stepped in a hole and twisted my knee. It was sore for 2 months.

[@sintax77]

Ugh, a twisted knee on a hike - never a good thing. Thankfully, my face smash was pretty unsightly, but really didn't affect my mobility in any way. We filmed this in the last week of September.

[@thehailmaryproject8949]

Oh man, I can't believe you let TJ punch you in the head like that and still let him be in the video! So nice of you to blame it on falling! Did it have something to do with that winter trip you guys took couple years ago with the wet sleeping bag? Just kidding - great video. Keep going on trips. Good times. How about the Knife Edge at Katahdin?

[@nathannolan9962]

Ted Staples r

[@panzerabwerkanone]

When you met the other hikers going back for you camera you should have asked "Hey did you guys see a Bear go by with my Go Pro?"

[@matchelite220]

hey there Sintax77 i want to start hiking this this upcoming spring. i've walked trails nothing impresive but i would like to try something more challenging. im from jersey, is there a trail near the tri-state area that you recommend a newbie?

[@Ranger24]

When your friend says "What did you do?" :)

[@schnauzberry4835]

my buddy did the same thing in Linville gorge, I freaked the hell out.

[@live2ride73]

we had the same experience in Linville as well. took some steam out of the sails for sure.

[@lost-trail6365]

Started following you recently, love your trips. Was wondering, could you share info on topo maps with trail names on maps, I saw on one of your videos that you use Google map , but I am unable to find topo maps with trail names printed on them can you help me

[@troutbum8699]

All bad things happen when your attention shifts from the task at hand to another.

[@150F2011]

Can you tell me which Go Pro you use or which you really like best. I really enjoy your videos. Wish I had the time to get in as much hiking as you do. Way to hang tuff!

[@jeffmcelroy5437]

You should have told TJ you successfully fought off a bear. Sounds better than I face planted.

[@harpjason208]

Now you have a token of the trail.. A conversation piece, if you will...