What an awesome call to lighten the pack!! And those awesome views from the ridge! Your reward.for doing the right thing. I love the views from Franconia ridge even more in the winter! Absolutely incredible day! I love the "you can't walk to GA in a day." It really puts things into perspective. Congrats on your epic journey through the whites! I am seriously enjoying watching your videos. I find myself cheering you through the tough parts and celebrating with you on your achievements! I may have even danced some! Thank you, Scott, for everything!
So glad you got back up. When we lived in New England, Lafayette was my favorite; ordinarily Falling Waters Trail up to Haystack, then north over Lincoln to Lafayette. Once in the Fall we came up from the North on the Greenleaf Trail (a little West of Skoomumchuck if I recall). In November once, when we went up Falling Waters, then North, winds were enough to knock us down, except when the trail went through the Krumholz, and it was so white-outed, that the only way we found the Greenleaf Trail back down towards the hut was I bumped into the sign at the top of Lafayette! We turned West at that point, and in about a hundred feet, we were below clouds, and could see our way. Lafayette is still my second favorite place on the AT (in college, i discovered McAfee Knob). If you are not there yet, when you hit Moosilauke, you will feel like you are on the Moon. It isn't as high as the other Whites, but it is so far above the surroundings, that it is like another planet. Stay safe (you made a good decision after Garfield), and enjoy the journey. Thank you for sharing with us.
Unbelievable, exciting and breathtaking views and to see you challenge yourself to reach a goal is just so rewarding! Not going to lie I was nervous for your safety with the winds and finding your way back down. Love your videos and thanks for taking us along on your journey! Stay strong 💪
Unreal the weather you are facing on these mountain tops and ridge lines❣️😜But you truly are doing it in style, AquaMan❣️I surely believe that you are wise, when you tell yourself, whatever you have to do to make it AND keep safe❣️Your exhilaration is amazing as you face these brutal elements❣️God bless and keep you safe 😃
I love how you talk to the camera! Similar to Tom Hank in "Castaway", talking to the volleyball or soccer ball. You're going to get a call. An offer. You're very good!
You're enthusiasm is infectious. I smiled watching the whole video just because of your excitement for doing the ridge. Awesome job. Lots of credit to you for tackling it in this weather. Well done🏅🥾⛰👍
Its going to be so interesting watching you as you head south dropping gear and facing kinder elements. By the time you get to New Jersey you'll be flying!
So I am trying to unwind from a day at work so I can sleep and then your video pops up. Needless to say my heart picked up a few beats when you reached the top. I really feel your excitement. So happy you made it up and down safe. Thanks for taking us along!🦋 ❤
Kudos for getting up and over the ridge mid winter and filming parts of it! I was up there late Sept one morning during a 4-6 hour break in the weather. The forecast was decent in the morning, but 90+ MPH wind gusts by early afternoon. It was overcast, foggy and windy along the ridge. Ideal conditions for hypothermia if one got hurt or stopped for more than a half hour. I went up Falling Waters and down Bridal. I left the lot around 8:30 and was lucky to get up there and, traverse the ridge and drop down 1,000' elevation to the Greenleaf hut for some coffee and brownie made fresh! About a half hour later, the wind picked up and I witnessed 90+ MPH winds (my estimate) from the hut windows. After an hour, the winds and pelting rain subsided and I made my way down without getting wet. Lucky me! I felt sorry for the few hikers that were still up there, hoping they found shelter and made it down safe.
Awesome job! I wouldn’t have to worry about the weather killing me, the fifty pound pack would have done that. lol You are a beast Sir. Keep up the great job and thank you for another great video.
6:50 that peach glow of sunlight on the horizon 😍 I swear if you'd have opened up your jacket, you'd have lifted off and flown like a kite up there in that wind 🌬🪂 Another impressive day in the SOBO life of Aquaman!
You are setting an awe inspiring course thru New England. The Kinsman’s and Moose left in the Whites as you well know. My hats off to you. Love watching your positive energy on this journey. We are with you all the way to Georgia
Well done! When I first watched this last night, I didn't realize you had just uploaded this, it's exciting to see this happening near-live. I was there on Liberty 3 weeks ago, although I had to turn back just before the peak because sunset was coming on so early. What you are doing is amazing and I am catching up on the other installments of this trek.
Crazy day for sure. Absolutely beautiful scenery. Glad that you made it off of the ridge safely. Thanks for all of your hard work on your videos. Be safe. God bless.
one day at a time step by step . You will definitely do this. You are truly alive in this adventure and your enthusiasm is infectious Sheila Vancouver BC Canada
Hey man! Wow, I am in total awe of this video. You sir are epically inspirational. I am so glad I was suggested your channel. IMHO, there is nothing better than seeing someone live their best life. Witnessing your joy on the ridge was so powerful and beautiful. So much so that it was barely overshadowed by the majestic views and the complete and utter awesomeness of mother nature. I can’t wait to go back and watch your earlier videos and continue to follow along on the rest of your trek. 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well. -Grateful
I would be honored to bring you some trail magic when you get to MA, or even just Venmo you some funds for a tasty treat or beverage. Do you have a Venmo you are ok sharing?
@@kaiserwilhelmnh932 no I just started, but I am catching up now. This is actually next level! I am so glad I found this. I hope all is well with you KWNH. Be well 🙏
I think your killing it!!! So cool your taking us along on your epic journey. Those views in the Winter are just as spectacular as all that I've seen from Summer hikers! You sure make Winter hiking seem cool!
Nice job! I'm truly impressed by your undertaking and inspired by your attitude! I live in NH and go on day hikes in the Whites (hiking Mt. Jackson and Webster tomorrow which you probably recently came over). But I go home to a hot shower and bed at night. That you are SOBOing in the winter is massive undertaking - and you are coming through the Whites in a major cold snap! I'm NOBOing at the end of March. With any luck I will meet you in the middle somewhere and get to say hello in person. The best of luck to you!
All I can say is WOW! what a super fantastic video! What a stellar smart attitude you have! Your enthusiasm and excitement is incredibly infectious and you temper it with such grace and beauty and realistic reasonable constitution. Your filming is so clear and impeccable no pixillation no interference I feel like I am there. What are you using to film with? Franconia Ridge in the deeps of winter all to yourself, you are absolutely an amazing dude! I fukn love this video and will follow along your journey. I will have to get myself caught up from the beginning though. Keep hiking, keep happy, I embrace your excitement and love for the trail and am inspired, you move me. 🙋♂️👻⛰🌄☃️
Just found your channel and am excited to follow your SOBO adventure. You are so much fun to watch! Your joy at being out there is infectious. Thank you for sharing your journey. 😊
What a great video and now I'm apparently caught up to you - this was a great way to spend a day - cold and wet in NC but not freezing out here in the western part - eastern NC may be getting ice - was interesting to watch the blizzard as that was the snow storm that went through here over the weekend. So glad you made it across the ridge safely. Come on down this way - I know you are looking forward to it - should be here in several months :)
If you'd like a pickup, ride to town for supplies, and/or a bed for the night in the Killington, Rutland, Woodstock VT area, let me know. I'm a thru hiker and we have a spare bedroom.
Hey ! Amazing journey. I might have met you on your 2019 AT? I met an Aquaman at the RPH shelter in NY State. He was a day ahead of a hiker named Aloha and with a hiker named Hawk(I think).We were out for the weekend. If that was you, I owe you BIG time ! We asked you, your favorite part of the trip so far and you said the Grayson Highlands. This past August, my two teen sons and I did a 50 mile SOBO hike there. It was amazing. Memories We yelled thank you to You every day of our trip. Can't wait to see what happens next on your trip. If you need any help in NJ, lmk.
@@giants2995 Hawk doesn't show others that he hikes with. I've watched him do the AT all 4 or 5 times. He has a few gnarly days but nothing like what you've experienced. In fact, I was wondering if he was following you this year. I don't think he watches too many other thru hikers. Was that the year he was hiking with T-Rex, the Canadian guy ? Think that was 2019. You two and Quicksand are my favorite guys to watch.
After watching your last three video and hearing you say "I will always remember because That Was A Rough Day" about your attempt at the Pemi Loop I can only imagine what it was like. Can't fathom anything worse than what you've gone through the last three days. I actually laughed it sounded so ridiculous. Not meaning it in a bad way. Watch your three videos and think about what you said at that point. I have never seen anyone attempt the Whites in weather like you have. You are going to be a legend when these videos get known. Killing it still.
Got to hand it to your strong vigilance going back up skookumchuck for 4 miles. I was surprised to find moose actually hanging out just below treeline one winter day right off the trail.
What date were you on the ridge? We were up at Lonesome Lake looking over at the ridge wondering if anyone was up there on Wednesday, 1/19. Did you hear us calling 'hello'? :-)
Extra clothes/layers, water, food, spikes/snowshoes (whatever I’m not wearing), ski goggles, hand/toe warmers (I like to have toe warmers as my feet can get cold sometimes), other safety stuff like first aid kid, small knife, etc., water, battery bank, gps. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things but that’s what it boils down to.
9:00 WOW! is all I can say is WOW!! I so hope to meet you in a couple of months, love to buy you dinner one night. I start at springer in 6 days. 14:35 "Bite Size" WOW that too is just want I need to hear and tell my self. Can make it in a day. vary nice
@@giants2995 I will, and thank you you are an absolute inspiration. I didn’t know how much your pack wait until now, 50 pounds, that’s a lot and then in the snow on top of that and I was whining about the cold potential cold that I will have before watching your adventure here :-) thank you so much again for taking us along I’m learning a lot and really like you’re saying that you said yesterday bite-size steps or bite-size pieces. Very nice
“I wanted a challenge that just swallowed me”… the perfect quote for your adventure.
What an awesome call to lighten the pack!! And those awesome views from the ridge! Your reward.for doing the right thing. I love the views from Franconia ridge even more in the winter! Absolutely incredible day! I love the "you can't walk to GA in a day." It really puts things into perspective. Congrats on your epic journey through the whites! I am seriously enjoying watching your videos. I find myself cheering you through the tough parts and celebrating with you on your achievements! I may have even danced some! Thank you, Scott, for everything!
The trail name is Skookumchuck (SKOO-kum-chuck). Great job, Scott!
Aqua man, you're bringing it to a new level. I really appreciate you taking the effort to bring us along. You're doing awesome. Stay safe💪
💪💪💪
So glad you got back up. When we lived in New England, Lafayette was my favorite; ordinarily Falling Waters Trail up to Haystack, then north over Lincoln to Lafayette. Once in the Fall we came up from the North on the Greenleaf Trail (a little West of Skoomumchuck if I recall). In November once, when we went up Falling Waters, then North, winds were enough to knock us down, except when the trail went through the Krumholz, and it was so white-outed, that the only way we found the Greenleaf Trail back down towards the hut was I bumped into the sign at the top of Lafayette! We turned West at that point, and in about a hundred feet, we were below clouds, and could see our way. Lafayette is still my second favorite place on the AT (in college, i discovered McAfee Knob). If you are not there yet, when you hit Moosilauke, you will feel like you are on the Moon. It isn't as high as the other Whites, but it is so far above the surroundings, that it is like another planet. Stay safe (you made a good decision after Garfield), and enjoy the journey. Thank you for sharing with us.
Unbelievable, exciting and breathtaking views and to see you challenge yourself to reach a goal is just so rewarding! Not going to lie I was nervous for your safety with the winds and finding your way back down. Love your videos and thanks for taking us along on your journey! Stay strong 💪
Awesome! You are crushing it. Hike on.
Congrats on getting over Franconia Ridge! Wow!
Makin' us look bad Mr. Benerofe. You are top of the food chain for sure.
Unreal the weather you are facing on these mountain tops and ridge lines❣️😜But you truly are doing it in style, AquaMan❣️I surely believe that you are wise, when you tell yourself, whatever you have to do to make it AND keep safe❣️Your exhilaration is amazing as you face these brutal elements❣️God bless and keep you safe 😃
This is amazing. That's all I can say. I just found your channel recently and am so enjoying playing catch up.
I love how you talk to the camera! Similar to Tom Hank in "Castaway", talking to the volleyball or soccer ball. You're going to get a call. An offer. You're very good!
Love your energy and love watching your videos!! My hubby started NOBO on 2/8, hoping your paths meet!
You're enthusiasm is infectious. I smiled watching the whole video just because of your excitement for doing the ridge. Awesome job. Lots of credit to you for tackling it in this weather. Well done🏅🥾⛰👍
Great video Aqua Man!! Beautiful!🥾🥾👍
You are a beast Bigfoot got nothing on you. LOL
Doing great thanks for the beautiful videos.
Still looking for you to get to NY. Take care.
Your positive attitude is so refreshing and awesome to watch! Love the videos!
Its going to be so interesting watching you as you head south dropping gear and facing kinder elements. By the time you get to New Jersey you'll be flying!
So I am trying to unwind from a day at work so I can sleep and then your video pops up. Needless to say my heart picked up a few beats when you reached the top. I really feel your excitement. So happy you made it up and down safe.
Thanks for taking us along!🦋 ❤
Kudos for getting up and over the ridge mid winter and filming parts of it!
I was up there late Sept one morning during a 4-6 hour break in the weather. The forecast was decent in the morning, but 90+ MPH wind gusts by early afternoon. It was overcast, foggy and windy along the ridge. Ideal conditions for hypothermia if one got hurt or stopped for more than a half hour. I went up Falling Waters and down Bridal. I left the lot around 8:30 and was lucky to get up there and, traverse the ridge and drop down 1,000' elevation to the Greenleaf hut for some coffee and brownie made fresh!
About a half hour later, the wind picked up and I witnessed 90+ MPH winds (my estimate) from the hut windows. After an hour, the winds and pelting rain subsided and I made my way down without getting wet. Lucky me! I felt sorry for the few hikers that were still up there, hoping they found shelter and made it down safe.
Incredible video from the ridge! Terrifyingly beautiful. You are amazing!
You continue to amaze me! Self preservation is a good thing!
"I LOVE HIKING" I love your energy. Thanks for making these videos. Enjoy your journey sir.
Ski goggles don't weigh much so I would have used them fighting that wind. Thanks for taking us all on your journey.
Good job. Be safe. And yes, take it one day at a time. God bless your journey.
You are one brave soul...stay safe
Beautiful beautiful, you’re mad!
Yaaaaaay!!!!!! I love hikers!
You're doing awsome man! Safe travels.
glad you are safe!
Great job! That ridge is one of favorites for sure. Now, it’s off to the Kinsmans and the Moose. Good luck and be safe!
Awesome job!
I wouldn’t have to worry about the weather killing me, the fifty pound pack would have done that. lol You are a beast Sir. Keep up the great job and thank you for another great video.
6:50 that peach glow of sunlight on the horizon 😍
I swear if you'd have opened up your jacket, you'd have lifted off and flown like a kite up there in that wind 🌬🪂
Another impressive day in the SOBO life of Aquaman!
I think you are overjoyed to make it on Franconia Ridge and across. Great job. Thanks for sharing your journey. Blessings and safe hiking
You are amazing. Thanks so much for bringing us along. I can't wait for the next video.
You conquered the ridge!! Way to go!!
Your a f’ing badass bro ! Don’t give up , one step at a time. One mountain at a time. U will do it
Beautiful man!!!
What an inspiration 👊🏔 Man what an adventure!
I believe you need to rebrand to Ice Man! That was EPIC.
You are setting an awe inspiring course thru New England. The Kinsman’s and Moose left in the Whites as you well know. My hats off to you. Love watching your positive energy on this journey. We are with you all the way to Georgia
Well done! When I first watched this last night, I didn't realize you had just uploaded this, it's exciting to see this happening near-live. I was there on Liberty 3 weeks ago, although I had to turn back just before the peak because sunset was coming on so early. What you are doing is amazing and I am catching up on the other installments of this trek.
Can't believe this. Wow
Incredible!!!
Crazy day for sure. Absolutely beautiful scenery. Glad that you made it off of the ridge safely. Thanks for all of your hard work on your videos. Be safe. God bless.
one day at a time step by step . You will definitely do this. You are truly alive in this adventure and your enthusiasm is infectious
Sheila Vancouver BC Canada
Woooooo
Hey man! Wow, I am in total awe of this video. You sir are epically inspirational. I am so glad I was suggested your channel. IMHO, there is nothing better than seeing someone live their best life. Witnessing your joy on the ridge was so powerful and beautiful. So much so that it was barely overshadowed by the majestic views and the complete and utter awesomeness of mother nature. I can’t wait to go back and watch your earlier videos and continue to follow along on the rest of your trek. 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well.
-Grateful
I would be honored to bring you some trail magic when you get to MA, or even just Venmo you some funds for a tasty treat or beverage. Do you have a Venmo you are ok sharing?
Have you been following since the beginning. This has been amazing to follow
@@kaiserwilhelmnh932 no I just started, but I am catching up now. This is actually next level! I am so glad I found this. I hope all is well with you KWNH. Be well 🙏
@@gratefulhikes Same to you my YT friend.
Does the snow ever make you cold?
Just subscribed :-)) and catching up on your videos. Your adventure and positivity is wonderful!!😃😊
Thanks a lot for your inspirational approach to your adventure. It is awsome to follow you, thanks. Walk with peace and God bless, Finn
Wow! Great job. Sending you love and prayers of gratitude. You are an inspiration
I think your killing it!!! So cool your taking us along on your epic journey. Those views in the Winter are just as spectacular as all that I've seen from Summer hikers! You sure make Winter hiking seem cool!
Nice job! I'm truly impressed by your undertaking and inspired by your attitude! I live in NH and go on day hikes in the Whites (hiking Mt. Jackson and Webster tomorrow which you probably recently came over). But I go home to a hot shower and bed at night. That you are SOBOing in the winter is massive undertaking - and you are coming through the Whites in a major cold snap! I'm NOBOing at the end of March. With any luck I will meet you in the middle somewhere and get to say hello in person. The best of luck to you!
Your joy is contagious!! Hope we get to cross paths into he AT this year!
Yeah!
Happy for you that you made your goal for the day..so beautiful..thanks for sharing
All I can say is WOW! what a super fantastic video! What a stellar smart attitude you have! Your enthusiasm and excitement is incredibly infectious and you temper it with such grace and beauty and realistic reasonable constitution. Your filming is so clear and impeccable no pixillation no interference I feel like I am there. What are you using to film with? Franconia Ridge in the deeps of winter all to yourself, you are absolutely an amazing dude! I fukn love this video and will follow along your journey. I will have to get myself caught up from the beginning though. Keep hiking, keep happy, I embrace your excitement and love for the trail and am inspired, you move me. 🙋♂️👻⛰🌄☃️
I cried with you on the ridge...
You got this!
WOW !!! EPIC !!! ❤️
So proud of you. Great job. Did you ever get scared? Even for a second? Well I did for you! Be safe.
Fired up my standing desk in solidarity. Awesome bud
🤘🤘❤️❤️
Wow!!!!!
Bro, you crazy. I'll be starting from Springer in early March. Definitely one of the highlights of this thru will be meeting you. God Speed.
Just found your channel and am excited to follow your SOBO adventure. You are so much fun to watch! Your joy at being out there is infectious. Thank you for sharing your journey. 😊
Gorgeous day on the Ridge- congrats! Hope the steps up Moosaulake (sp?) are free of ice/ snowshoe friendly.
Whoa, sick drift!
so brave! unbelievable.
What a great video and now I'm apparently caught up to you - this was a great way to spend a day - cold and wet in NC but not freezing out here in the western part - eastern NC may be getting ice - was interesting to watch the blizzard as that was the snow storm that went through here over the weekend. So glad you made it across the ridge safely. Come on down this way - I know you are looking forward to it - should be here in several months :)
Back for the next day, fortune favors the bold. Carpe diem !
If you'd like a pickup, ride to town for supplies, and/or a bed for the night in the Killington, Rutland, Woodstock VT area, let me know. I'm a thru hiker and we have a spare bedroom.
Gotta hand it to ya, Snowman! You really should use that trail name for now brother 😂 Either that or Mr Badass!
Hey ! Amazing journey. I might have met you on your 2019 AT? I met an Aquaman at the RPH shelter in NY State. He was a day ahead of a hiker named Aloha and with a hiker named Hawk(I think).We were out for the weekend. If that was you, I owe you BIG time ! We asked you, your favorite part of the trip so far and you said the Grayson Highlands. This past August, my two teen sons and I did a 50 mile SOBO hike there. It was amazing. Memories We yelled thank you to You every day of our trip. Can't wait to see what happens next on your trip. If you need any help in NJ, lmk.
That was me :) so awesome you got to see the Highlands!
@@giants2995 Hawk doesn't show others that he hikes with. I've watched him do the AT all 4 or 5 times. He has a few gnarly days but nothing like what you've experienced. In fact, I was wondering if he was following you this year. I don't think he watches too many other thru hikers. Was that the year he was hiking with T-Rex, the Canadian guy ? Think that was 2019. You two and Quicksand are my favorite guys to watch.
After watching your last three video and hearing you say "I will always remember because That Was A Rough Day" about your attempt at the Pemi Loop I can only imagine what it was like. Can't fathom anything worse than what you've gone through the last three days. I actually laughed it sounded so ridiculous. Not meaning it in a bad way. Watch your three videos and think about what you said at that point. I have never seen anyone attempt the Whites in weather like you have. You are going to be a legend when these videos get known. Killing it still.
Got to hand it to your strong vigilance going back up skookumchuck for 4 miles. I was surprised to find moose actually hanging out just below treeline one winter day right off the trail.
Woot woot!! 🎉
Did you rub the nose of King Husky statue in Ell Center?
What type of video camera are you using??
Hey bro big props! Once you get to TN around 19E, Roan Mountain, and Carvers Gap hit me up. I’d love to get you a resupply or buy you a meal.
What date were you on the ridge? We were up at Lonesome Lake looking over at the ridge wondering if anyone was up there on Wednesday, 1/19. Did you hear us calling 'hello'? :-)
Yeet !!!!!under 50 lbs 🎉
Side note if you get to a IGA super market they have Shelfstable raw bacon to pack with 🥓🥓
How are you holding that phone to video?
Hardcore! Hike on!
What items did you carry in your "day pack"?
Extra clothes/layers, water, food, spikes/snowshoes (whatever I’m not wearing), ski goggles, hand/toe warmers (I like to have toe warmers as my feet can get cold sometimes), other safety stuff like first aid kid, small knife, etc., water, battery bank, gps. I’m sure I’m forgetting a few things but that’s what it boils down to.
Where the blazes lol. Stay safe
5 minutes: Man Fights Nature. Does he win ? I'll find out. I'm rooting for Man.
How do you keep your water from freezing?
I’ll boil it in the morning!
Ahhh! Do you then carry it inside your puffy?
If you're hiking with a pack that weighs less than 50 pounds, does that mean you're slack packing? Congrats on conquering another breezy day.
9:00 WOW! is all I can say is WOW!! I so hope to meet you in a couple of months, love to buy you dinner one night. I start at springer in 6 days. 14:35 "Bite Size" WOW that too is just want I need to hear and tell my self. Can make it in a day. vary nice
Happy Hiking!!
@@giants2995 I will, and thank you you are an absolute inspiration. I didn’t know how much your pack wait until now, 50 pounds, that’s a lot and then in the snow on top of that and I was whining about the cold potential cold that I will have before watching your adventure here :-) thank you so much again for taking us along I’m learning a lot and really like you’re saying that you said yesterday bite-size steps or bite-size pieces. Very nice