Looks like a great day out in the mountains! I know that feeling of sitting up in a mountain campsite (often with some snow around) and the nagging feelings of loneliness that can start creeping in! While the vast majority of my backpacking trips are done solo, and often I rarely see anyone else once I'm deeper in the backcountry, there are those times when the solitude (which I find very enjoyable) can turn to isolation (which doesn't feel good). I think that we humans have a deep need for the companionship of other humans, even when we might start to kid ourselves that we are really good at spending time alone. It's amazing how much one brief chat with a random person you happen across along the trail can change your overall trail mood for the happier.....even if you were happy enough to begin with!
Taylor, this was a great day trip! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I planned a 2 night trip once, got to camp, all by myself, ended up watching TV on my phone for a few hours… I got really lonely and decided to cut it short and hike out the next day instead of doing a 2nd night. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Better to be happy then to force it and end up in a negative mindset.
This was a wonderful video Taylor. Very revealing in a positive way about who you are. The views were stunning. I am 75 and beginning to find it more difficult to attempt 4000 footers, but I still have a few left in me. I can so relate to your deciding to go home instead of spending the night. I have made that decision several times myself.
For someone who hiked from Georgia to Maine last year, I was surprised by your nervousness. But it's also reassuring because if you can be nervous about hiking and camping, then so can I! Thanks.
Maybe trips like this you might consider adding some more luxury items to your pack (like a hammock or a book to read). It would make your pack heavier but it might make the down time more enjoyable.
I think it’s awesome that you called it. It was a little spooky out there with no one on the trail or in the parking lot. I enjoyed this video and appreciate you for following your instincts!
Taylor, just getting out there at all is a big accomplishment for anyone not used to being alone. I don't have any friends who backpack, and I don't live near any popular trails, so most of my backpacking is done alone. You do get used to it eventually, and once you do, there's not much better for rejuvenating your mind and relaxing. If you don't think you would ever enjoy doing it alone, taking a dog makes a big difference. Also, if you don't want to just sit quiet in nature, you can listen to a podcast or watch something on your phone to keep your mind from feeling lonely.
Awesome video. What an amazing trail and views galore. Thanks for sharing. Oh, by the way, saw you and your pup at the 4,000 footers club awards this past weekend. So cool that Callie got the 4k patch. I love the way the club recognizes pets for their achievements.
Loved the long-distance framing of you summiting Liberty. Nice work! Amazed you were able to identify the animal as a pine marten. I had never even heard of it. I completely get why you felt "blah" about turning a day trip into an overnighter. I bet if you had attempted the Pemi Loop you would have been more motivated.
I hiked to Nauman Thanksgiving alone and loved it. Ive backpacked solo before, but never completely alone. Melted snow and all. Then did Pierce next day. Everyone was amazed. I was like, i do what i do. Now Ethan Pond in April...so much PTSD with a side of PT.
I know exactly how you felt! I’ve been in the same situation here in my home state too. Well done for giving yourself permission to pack up and go home!
Love the honesty in this one. Hanging out at a campsite for a long time alone is tough. Not every experience is an Instagram Real and that's the truth!
When I lived in NH, I skied at Loon, Waterville Valley, Cannon Mtn, Bretton Woods (my favorite) and Pats Peak to name a few. When I'm backpacking, I'm so tired, I don't feel like setting up the camera for all those shots of me walking. Maybe once I get my trail legs, I'll do that a little bit of the time. Just did my shakedown hike after my quadruple bypass and it's a go for the AT except that at my age (68) I really get sore muscles! You know; you have the penguin walk when you first get up and walk LOL! Yup being alone is nice sometimes but then again, it's nice to have other people around when camping. My hike this week was 2 days and the weather was not good. I was the only camper until maybe 7 PM. I got to camp just after 3 PM so you have to kill all that time doing...nothing really. John (OSAT) from MI. P.S. I go back to the AT soon for a while. We'll see how long I can last this time around.
I reserved a campsite for a two night stay one time. I stayed the first night and by mid afternoon next day, I was so bored, I packed up and hiked out. So definitely feel your thoughts. Sometimes it really is just the journey that you need.
Been there, my daughter and I hiked in to a site in the Smokies, setup, and hiked some more. When we got back something just felt off and I made the decision to pack up and we went home. Whether it was boredom or something else telling me to go I listened.
Seriously, I want to thank you for all the excellent videos. They truly do make the trail more alive and shared for soloists. Bought your t-shirt. Im a fan. I ran into folks in Vermont, near the White River who had hiked with you. Congrats, you went fast! Mc Donald's wins out.
That always happens to me if I get to camp too early, being there alone with just my thoughts is excruciatingly boring. Awesome, killer pack up time! 👍
Red Oval Farms Stoned Wheat crackers are great for backpacking and are hearty enough that you can scoop pasta with them. They hold up great in a pack. You kept your full pack with you to the ridge which is smart. Its never a good idea to separate yourself from the gear you need to survive. Especially while soloing in winter conditions. The summits appeared very calm! Great trip.
Thanks for sharing! I'm also trying to get more comfortable camping alone. Also, once you've been out for multiple days without being able to get off trail at your convenience, it's so nice to be able to bail when you're not feeling it. Last fall I was supposed to go on a 4 day backpacking trip with my friend I hiked the JMT with. The first night was cold and rainy. We day hiked the next morning and happily bailed that afternoon 🤣 ✌
Hi Taylor. Love all your videos and long time subscriber. I came up from Virginia for the week to hang out with cousins. I just stopped by your store to get some gifts and to say hello. You were gone, but I spoke with the nice lady working there. I love your store👍Will be back sometime this summer. Thank you for all your great advice and videos
Taylor. Love your videos. Been watching a long time. Hope to miraculously run into you in the whites next month(2nd week of June) for a 10 day trip doing the pemi loop and then some. Take care, be safe and hike on!
"Solitude expresses the joy of being alone, while loneliness expresses the pain."(Henry David Thoreau). Congratulations on your wedding - best to you and your groom.
Totally understand and can relate to your decision to make it a day trip...Liberty Spring site is great for a jump off point for Franconia Ridge...thanks for the update. Were you hiking with the Hoka Speedgoats? Still like them?
Nice hike I wouldn’t feel so bad about going home on a day hike with the tent out I live next to a state forest and often put my shelter out and go home it’s good practice and you never know what the weather plus as you know it’s a good time have a nice day
Nice encounter with the marten. I didn’t even know they lived around there; I’d always thought they were a western critter. I was on a trip hiking in the Black Hills in SD a few years ago and one came trotting all casually past me as I was filling out the registration. Being from NC, I had no idea what it was until I was able to do some googling.
Hey Taylor! Great video! So glad for this one! Hitting this as part of the larger Pemi loop later this month. Won’t be staying at LS but will be stopping there for water for sure! That shot of you on Liberty was great, one hell of a long walk back to the camera 😂 thank you for doing it! Your narration of all the peaks I’ll be hitting really got me excited for my trip! It is such an amazing place. In a past life I have made soup from that meal, totally drinkable! I did it by mistake adding too much water, but nothing wrong wrong with a happy accident! I think you made the right decision pulling the plug, it’s one of the benefits of doing these hikes so close to home. What was that a new sleeping pad you were filling? 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well. -Grateful
Great video. Always enjoy them here at my log home in Carroll! I prefer sitting by my fire rather than camping out. I do like the AMC Highland Center morning buffet! You diet on the trail is really unhealthy Taylor! More quality proteins, veggie snacks, quality chocolate and fruits will keep you young and healthy!
Very nice mini-adventure. Thanks for sharing. 😉 That Pine Martin looks a lot like a fox. Reminds me of a fox that took a whole ursack bag of food from a fellow camper while we left for 5 minutes to get water. He probably lost over $50 of food. I found the sack the next day about 100 yards from the site w/ half the food eaten.
I don't understand hiking in the snow in low trail runners. Of course, your your feet are going to get wet. Not a good thing in winter conditions. What happened to hiking boots?🥾
@@TaylortheNahamshaHiker Good choice...... It would've been much colder probably. Lookout for the movie about Mt Washington coming out later this month.
Hi Nahamsha! I'm heading to NoCo this weekend and want to introduce my teen daugthers to a nice short hike (6 miles or less). Do you have a favorite short hike?
(Tongue in cheek) That was so depressing, I wondered going in if you had gotten too much cold or suffered mishap. as a long time solo section hiker. I've hiked about half the AT this way over a few decades, and I try not to be alone inside. Todays trail is more well-used than ever and I have folks at home I can reach through my Garmin when I tent, or by cell. When I open my eyes in the AM, my well traveled companion, Cosmo-13 inch tall fleecy bear is there. Prevents that "allone feeling" and carries my Zolipaderm 1/2 tabs in his pockets. Great Bear who looks much larger in registers where I sign Running Water and Cosmo on the AT.
@@TaylortheNahamshaHiker great to see you out on the trail, your adventures are always interesting and authentic. Chet doesn’t know what he’s missing 😅.
WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPLIES YOU NEVER RELY ON MEMORY. YOU ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS GO THRU A WRITTEN CHECK LIST BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE!!!!! NO EXCUSE FOR THE MISSING SPORK WOMAN!!!
Easy enough to fashion a crude fork out of a stick, even without a knife you could tune it up by scraping it on a rock. Come on, you got survival skills. Disappointing you cut it short.
Awwwww our little Taylor got lonesome!😢 Anyways great vid kid!!! 👍❤️⛰ PS- I wasn’t being sarcastic about the lonesome part! That is perfectly understandable for sure…😊
While it would have been good video staying the night. I am glad you did not stay. I'm sure there was a reason you felt the urge to leave. Following your instincts is always best. Good move!! 👍🙂🏕🧭🙏
Looks like a great day out in the mountains! I know that feeling of sitting up in a mountain campsite (often with some snow around) and the nagging feelings of loneliness that can start creeping in! While the vast majority of my backpacking trips are done solo, and often I rarely see anyone else once I'm deeper in the backcountry, there are those times when the solitude (which I find very enjoyable) can turn to isolation (which doesn't feel good). I think that we humans have a deep need for the companionship of other humans, even when we might start to kid ourselves that we are really good at spending time alone. It's amazing how much one brief chat with a random person you happen across along the trail can change your overall trail mood for the happier.....even if you were happy enough to begin with!
Taylor, this was a great day trip! I know EXACTLY how you feel. I planned a 2 night trip once, got to camp, all by myself, ended up watching TV on my phone for a few hours… I got really lonely and decided to cut it short and hike out the next day instead of doing a 2nd night. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that. Better to be happy then to force it and end up in a negative mindset.
I totally knew you were going to bail when you discovered that you didn’t have your spork!
No worries!
This was a wonderful video Taylor. Very revealing in a positive way about who you are. The views were stunning. I am 75 and beginning to find it more difficult to attempt 4000 footers, but I still have a few left in me. I can so relate to your deciding to go home instead of spending the night. I have made that decision several times myself.
I liked the slo-mo spike cam ... great angle
Nice to see you, love everything about this. Spent an injured week in Woodstock helping thru-hikers last summer!
Seeing that Pine Marten made the whole trip worth while in my opinion. Very cool. And you still got to test out your gear.
For someone who hiked from Georgia to Maine last year, I was surprised by your nervousness. But it's also reassuring because if you can be nervous about hiking and camping, then so can I! Thanks.
Maybe trips like this you might consider adding some more luxury items to your pack (like a hammock or a book to read). It would make your pack heavier but it might make the down time more enjoyable.
Great Views. Looking into the Cohos Trail in the future. From Crawford Notch to 4th Connecticut Lake.
Sometimes things don’t quite feel right. You are better off cutting it short while you still have daylight. Thank you, Taylor, for taking us along.
I think it’s awesome that you called it. It was a little spooky out there with no one on the trail or in the parking lot. I enjoyed this video and appreciate you for following your instincts!
Taylor, just getting out there at all is a big accomplishment for anyone not used to being alone. I don't have any friends who backpack, and I don't live near any popular trails, so most of my backpacking is done alone. You do get used to it eventually, and once you do, there's not much better for rejuvenating your mind and relaxing. If you don't think you would ever enjoy doing it alone, taking a dog makes a big difference. Also, if you don't want to just sit quiet in nature, you can listen to a podcast or watch something on your phone to keep your mind from feeling lonely.
Awesome video. What an amazing trail and views galore. Thanks for sharing. Oh, by the way, saw you and your pup at the 4,000 footers club awards this past weekend. So cool that Callie got the 4k patch. I love the way the club recognizes pets for their achievements.
NH has so many great trails to hike I have learned from following you! Might be a great place to visit for a while!
Jealous! I love it when I have the campsites to myself. Glad you had a good day even though you decided to cut it short and forgot some gear.
Loved the long-distance framing of you summiting Liberty. Nice work!
Amazed you were able to identify the animal as a pine marten. I had never even heard of it.
I completely get why you felt "blah" about turning a day trip into an overnighter. I bet if you had attempted the Pemi Loop you would have been more motivated.
I hiked to Nauman Thanksgiving alone and loved it. Ive backpacked solo before, but never completely alone. Melted snow and all. Then did Pierce next day. Everyone was amazed. I was like, i do what i do. Now Ethan Pond in April...so much PTSD with a side of PT.
Beautiful views from the top!
Again, a great video and your honesty was outstanding. Enjoy yourself!
I’ll be up there in 3 weeks caretaking at the Nauman Tentsite. Can’t wait!
Good video with lots of great beautiful views, lots of beautiful snow covering the mountains. So let's keep on hiking..
ha I just did the same thing...hiked all day and went home for the exact same reasons!
There is nothing wrong with a change of plans. It's wonderful to have options. Thanks for the fun video.
I know exactly how you felt! I’ve been in the same situation here in my home state too. Well done for giving yourself permission to pack up and go home!
Love the honesty in this one. Hanging out at a campsite for a long time alone is tough. Not every experience is an Instagram Real and that's the truth!
And the pine martin, totally worth the entire effort.
Nice vista views Tay. Understand the camp blues. I always bring a paperback and then a cigar and whiskey/water b4 dark. Pine Marten sighting, cool!!
When I lived in NH, I skied at Loon, Waterville Valley, Cannon Mtn, Bretton Woods (my favorite) and Pats Peak to name a few. When I'm backpacking, I'm so tired, I don't feel like setting up the camera for all those shots of me walking. Maybe once I get my trail legs, I'll do that a little bit of the time. Just did my shakedown hike after my quadruple bypass and it's a go for the AT except that at my age (68) I really get sore muscles! You know; you have the penguin walk when you first get up and walk LOL! Yup being alone is nice sometimes but then again, it's nice to have other people around when camping. My hike this week was 2 days and the weather was not good. I was the only camper until maybe 7 PM. I got to camp just after 3 PM so you have to kill all that time doing...nothing really. John (OSAT) from MI. P.S. I go back to the AT soon for a while. We'll see how long I can last this time around.
Way to adapt on the fly! I really think Mt. Liberty is getting to be my favorite WM 4-er.
I reserved a campsite for a two night stay one time. I stayed the first night and by mid afternoon next day, I was so bored, I packed up and hiked out. So definitely feel your thoughts. Sometimes it really is just the journey that you need.
Taylor, I absolutely love your videos. You have helped me learn so much. Thank you for sharing. All my best.
Been there, my daughter and I hiked in to a site in the Smokies, setup, and hiked some more. When we got back something just felt off and I made the decision to pack up and we went home. Whether it was boredom or something else telling me to go I listened.
Seriously, I want to thank you for all the excellent videos. They truly do make the trail more alive and shared for soloists. Bought your t-shirt. Im a fan. I ran into folks in Vermont, near the White River who had hiked with you. Congrats, you went fast! Mc Donald's wins out.
The pine marten knows where the food is. There is one on Big Slide in the Dacks that greats hikers.
I hiked that trail last June! The views from Liberty are incredible.
Looks like you did a lot of longer range shots with camera ... appreciate your effort .. that was a lot of work.
Just did flume slide trail 2 days ago and it’s honestly the best time to be there.
Glad to see you out hiking and doing what you love 💕
That always happens to me if I get to camp too early, being there alone with just my thoughts is excruciatingly boring. Awesome, killer pack up time! 👍
Thanks for sharing. Fun trip.
Wow, you had a perfect day. hardly any wind even on the peaks.
Red Oval Farms Stoned Wheat crackers are great for backpacking and are hearty enough that you can scoop pasta with them. They hold up great in a pack. You kept your full pack with you to the ridge which is smart. Its never a good idea to separate yourself from the gear you need to survive. Especially while soloing in winter conditions. The summits appeared very calm! Great trip.
Thanks for sharing! I'm also trying to get more comfortable camping alone. Also, once you've been out for multiple days without being able to get off trail at your convenience, it's so nice to be able to bail when you're not feeling it. Last fall I was supposed to go on a 4 day backpacking trip with my friend I hiked the JMT with. The first night was cold and rainy. We day hiked the next morning and happily bailed that afternoon 🤣 ✌
Looked like a really great day, so wonderful to see you out hiking again. Thank you for bringing us along.😀💜❤️
Hi Taylor. Love all your videos and long time subscriber. I came up from Virginia for the week to hang out with cousins. I just stopped by your store to get some gifts and to say hello. You were gone, but I spoke with the nice lady working there. I love your store👍Will be back sometime this summer. Thank you for all your great advice and videos
Taylor. Love your videos. Been watching a long time. Hope to miraculously run into you in the whites next month(2nd week of June) for a 10 day trip doing the pemi loop and then some. Take care, be safe and hike on!
This is awesome you are a true hiker badass
"Solitude expresses the joy of being alone, while loneliness expresses the pain."(Henry David Thoreau). Congratulations on your wedding - best to you and your groom.
Looks awesome! Encouraging me to go out earlier in the year
Totally understand and can relate to your decision to make it a day trip...Liberty Spring site is great for a jump off point for Franconia Ridge...thanks for the update.
Were you hiking with the Hoka Speedgoats? Still like them?
I’ve set up camp plenty of times and packed it up right before dark. No shame in it:)
The pine martan was very cool .. sorry it scared the hell out of you.
Nice hike I wouldn’t feel so bad about going home on a day hike with the tent out I live next to a state forest and often put my shelter out and go home it’s good practice and you never know what the weather plus as you know it’s a good time have a nice day
The only time I've seen a martin is on Mount Flume.
Try the flume slide trail when you are in that area again lol
Nice encounter with the marten. I didn’t even know they lived around there; I’d always thought they were a western critter. I was on a trip hiking in the Black Hills in SD a few years ago and one came trotting all casually past me as I was filling out the registration. Being from NC, I had no idea what it was until I was able to do some googling.
I live there! Hike it all the time!
Hey Taylor! Great video! So glad for this one! Hitting this as part of the larger Pemi loop later this month. Won’t be staying at LS but will be stopping there for water for sure! That shot of you on Liberty was great, one hell of a long walk back to the camera 😂 thank you for doing it! Your narration of all the peaks I’ll be hitting really got me excited for my trip! It is such an amazing place. In a past life I have made soup from that meal, totally drinkable! I did it by mistake adding too much water, but nothing wrong wrong with a happy accident! I think you made the right decision pulling the plug, it’s one of the benefits of doing these hikes so close to home. What was that a new sleeping pad you were filling? 🙏 Thanks for bringing us along today. I hope tomorrow’s miles are kind. Keep truckin’ and be well.
-Grateful
That was an awesome day hike and you saw an wild animal that was very pretty. Until next time. Happy Hiking 🏔⛺️🥾
again another beautiful video. what a great hoodie. where is that from?
Love the view from the top.
Thanks for the video. Enjoyed
족제비가 뛰는모습을 잘 포착했다. 귀여운 족제비^^ 영상 잘봤어요.
I'd use the beef jerky as a scoop.....
Great video. Always enjoy them here at my log home in Carroll! I prefer sitting by my fire rather than camping out. I do like the AMC Highland Center morning buffet! You diet on the trail is really unhealthy Taylor! More quality proteins, veggie snacks, quality chocolate and fruits will keep you young and healthy!
Probably be more fun with someone to camp with. I love solo hiking but definitely prefer camping with friends/family
Very nice mini-adventure. Thanks for sharing. 😉
That Pine Martin looks a lot like a fox.
Reminds me of a fox that took a whole ursack bag of food from a fellow camper while we left for 5 minutes to get water. He probably lost over $50 of food. I found the sack the next day about 100 yards from the site w/ half the food eaten.
i thought it was a fox trying to walk like a weasel. :D glad to learn about pine martins
How did you get the long distance shot of you on top of Mt Liberty? Good to see you back on the trail🙂🙏
fashion a spoon out of beef jerky? i can't get enough Franconia ridge, I guess I better get up there ..... thanks for the video
Do you have to reserve or pay for the campsites or it's first arrived takes it ...style ?? I'll be hiking the whites this summer for the first time.
Haha! "You don't have to commit to a full Snickers bar." Taylor, when has that ever been a problem for you?? 🙂
Hi! Where did you get that gadget that weighs your pack? I want to get one...
I don't understand hiking in the snow in low trail runners. Of course, your your feet are going to get wet. Not a good thing in winter conditions. What happened to hiking boots?🥾
It's quiet up here this time of year. I would've brought you a spork..... What were the overnight lows supposed to be up high?
I think the lows that night were gonna be high 30's up there
@@TaylortheNahamshaHiker Good choice...... It would've been much colder probably. Lookout for the movie about Mt Washington coming out later this month.
That was the right decision.
How many tent platforms are there at that campsite!
about 10
@@kaiserwilhelmnh932 Thanks
Fun video. I would have done the same thing.
Or make a spoon/fork out of small branch twigs 👍
Whittling one would be a fun way to burn a few hours!
@@gratefulhikes for sure
Yes or merely use one of the larger jerky pieces as a scoop
I want to see if you're good at bowling for some reason. haha
Hi Nahamsha! I'm heading to NoCo this weekend and want to introduce my teen daugthers to a nice short hike (6 miles or less). Do you have a favorite short hike?
Is that north conway? My favorite short hike in that area is black mountain or kearsarge north
Nothing like having a summit to yourself.
I can't hike with crusty snow on the ground because I weigh so much it always collapses, then I have to pull my legs out of the hole
I would have whittled a spork out of a piece of wood and devoured that Fettuccine Alfredo with chicken. 😋
at least no bugs
(Tongue in cheek) That was so depressing, I wondered going in if you had gotten too much cold or suffered mishap. as a long time solo section hiker. I've hiked about half the AT this way over a few decades, and I try not to be alone inside. Todays trail is more well-used than ever and I have folks at home I can reach through my Garmin when I tent, or by cell. When I open my eyes in the AM, my well traveled companion, Cosmo-13 inch tall fleecy bear is there. Prevents that "allone feeling" and carries my Zolipaderm 1/2 tabs in his pockets. Great Bear who looks much larger in registers where I sign Running Water and Cosmo on the AT.
Why isn’t Freddie (Chet) on these adventures?
Backpacking isn't one of his hobbies
@@TaylortheNahamshaHiker great to see you out on the trail, your adventures are always interesting and authentic. Chet doesn’t know what he’s missing 😅.
❤️
It’s supposed to be fun. You’re supposed to enjoy. Sometimes that means McD wins.
👋
The first rule of Solo Backpacking is:
There Are No rules.
WHEN IT COMES TO SUPPLIES YOU NEVER RELY ON MEMORY. YOU ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS GO THRU A WRITTEN CHECK LIST BEFORE YOU GO ANYWHERE!!!!! NO EXCUSE FOR THE MISSING SPORK WOMAN!!!
😆 ok.
make chopsticks with sticks next time
Easy enough to fashion a crude fork out of a stick, even without a knife you could tune it up by scraping it on a rock. Come on, you got survival skills. Disappointing you cut it short.
I would've made it work if I wanted to stay out there.. but I didn't
Awwwww our little Taylor got lonesome!😢 Anyways great vid kid!!! 👍❤️⛰ PS- I wasn’t being sarcastic about the lonesome part! That is perfectly understandable for sure…😊
Those views. Spectacular. Thanks for doing such an awesome job with this. 💕🏕🤘🏻🥾
While it would have been good video staying the night. I am glad you did not stay. I'm sure there was a reason you felt the urge to leave. Following your instincts is always best. Good move!!
👍🙂🏕🧭🙏
u need to fix ur diet its scary seeing what youeat on your channel
in the nicest way possible