Great video! Amazing how you were able to capture your experience for us while dealing with those complicated conditions. Thanks for sharing!

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yes, except my big camera never came out of the backpack. I carried the tripod up for nothing and never even got a full-body shot. The hiker must be willing to repeat difficult sections of trail "for the camera" and it is humorous to hear your own mind find ways to avoid such efforts.

I have only recently discovered your vlog. Started with your most recent (still shivering from the snake eating the frog) and came to this vid today. I certainly get the frustration of the undoing of well-layed plans. But I so admired your caring about the dog above your own wants. I recently watched a 2024 AT thru hiker, tell a dog who was following her to 'sit & stay'. It did so! The dog was cheerful and clearly was well ahead of its owner or lost, guessing. But she cared more about her need to carry on than the dog. I felt for the canine as she recorded it staying as she moved on. Anyhow, glad your adoptee found her way. I would have done what you did. There is no escaping those in need. lol About the snowshoes: I was a student via SUC Cortland NY and attending Raquette Lake outdoor education classes in all seasons in the mid 70s. Winter camping - we learned to use what would now be called vintage snowshoes. The 'trappers' were great for doing what you were trying to do - sit back on them and they were long enough to hold the bum and the shoes acted like a sled as we zoomed down hills. My favorites were a medium length of the times. I think the shoes we used were made in the 40s or 50s. We also lugged WWII 'mummy bags across a frozen Raquette Lake from Camp Huntington, very heavy but warm. Luckily on a trip with canoe, wanigans and a lightweight sleeping bag (as they were once called) I, along with several female classmates, made it to Mt. Marcy. Your vids remind me of what I used to be able to do. Keep enjoying. I do find it interesting that you want to get away from people especially as you see any in the distance (that made me lol), but yet you vlog to thousands. ;) All the best.

@RachelWhelton

Ай бұрын

I love these memories with the vintage gear. This kind of adventure suits the soul.

I would have done the same thing if I had encountered that dog. I wouldn't rest easy or trek on unless I knew she would be ok. I appreciate you doing that.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

If it had been a clueless dog at risk of the road dangers, I would have had to do something more from the beginning. I guess it was only because the dog itself was so unique and intelligent and "at home" in some way, did I go another step, and then farther. It was like being on a huge farm and seeing the farm dog, who knows the whole place.

I like your videos.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Thanks! I appreciate it.

Nice outing! Never known when a campanion might show up! That will keep a person in shape! Good times!

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Ha ha - Yes, totally! That dog kept looking at me and wondering why I was so slow. My own dog is very small and she can get exercise when I am at a slow stroll. So it's quite the level-up to try and hike with a bigger dog.

@DoggoneGold

6 ай бұрын

@RachelWhelton Gotta love how dogs tend to go back and forth. My Dog usually tripples me in miles 🤣

You are more experienced with snowshoes than myself. I found with my MSR Lightning Explores' that they kept me afloat in the 'deeper' snow on and incline. I'm a 200lb guy too. I was really surprised.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

I always imagined snowshoe treks on flat areas. So it's the incline exploding my brain. Now that I've experienced a bit of it, I think I'll get tougher for the next round. If the incline was packed, that would be just fine. But when the fluff dissolves, it seems like Fred Flintstone spinning his wheels. I sold my MSR shoes because they were a bit heavy for me. I think these are alright - just operator error!

Another adventure for the books! Never a loss when you get to enjoy and challenge the wilderness. Too cold for me this week, you are obviously feeling better, a good thing. The dog, always a gift, was keeping a very good eye on you until you got back safely! See you next time, thank you.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

It's true. When we started, I thought I was worrying for the dog. By the time we got back, I thought the dog was worrying for me!

Give yourself a break you just got over being sick! I've tried going down a mountain two times now with crampons for the first time in my life and I probably fell way more times than you did! Kind of nice to have a sweet hiking buddy with you 🐶

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yeah, thanks. And the more I think about it, these "failure" hikes still count as progress. Keep going at it (and keep the safety margin) and things will work out eventually. By crampons I am not certain if you mean microspikes or full shank crampons but both sound fun to me. I feel very confident with my microspikes but my full shank crampons have never touched snow. They sit brand new on the shelf mostly because I am afraid one will catch my pant leg and send me to my doom down a mountain side.

@stephaniestory9029

6 ай бұрын

@@RachelWhelton they are microspikes, but I struggle because I have super small feet and they are kind of loose and jangly on me. They definitely caught on roots, and each other and sent me flying!

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yes, my last fall was when the microspikes caught on the other boot's shoelace. It was one of those slow motion falls and luckily I was carrying a foam mat and fell forward onto it, unhurt. @@stephaniestory9029

Your random dog friend sure had a lot of energy! One time my wife and I were out of town visiting her father and I decided it was time for my daily run. After a few miles out in the country I encountered a large and not so friendly looking dog and thought, "Oh no!" But he came up to me and was so happy to have a friend to follow, much like your dog friend did. As I came back into town, some people were sitting out in their front yard and had a cat. My new friend decided to chase the cat and the people started screaming at me to get my dog out of there! I yelled back he was not mine and kept on running back to my father-in-laws house. My new friend wanted to come inside with me like I was his new owner. No one there had ever seen him. But eventually he went away, and we never saw him again. Great video, your video is so sharp! Happy hiking!

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Your story is very good, made me laugh when the dog chased the cat. I hope the dog found his way. Sometimes I think about the crazy old days when people had space between farms etc. and the dogs knew no leashes. Not saying that was better. But it's interesting to think of dogs roaming around doing what they want.

@amerphoto1

6 ай бұрын

Your video reminded me instantly of my dog adventure and enjoyed the video very much. You have nice videos, will be watching more of them! Would love to summit some of the White mountains someday.@@RachelWhelton

Wow that doggo had lots of energy, looks it worked out though. I snowshoed for the first time this year and I definitely felt your frustration on the downhill part. I went down a path that was very steep and almost immediately fell down then couldn’t stand back up cause I couldn’t get my foot underneath me cause of the snowshoe so I ended up sliding down on my butt.

@RachelWhelton

5 ай бұрын

Yeah, I think there is a danger of hurting your leg if the snowshoe twists into a hole and you can hardly get up. Seems experienced hikers don't worry about this. Hiking poles help a lot because you can use them as probes on sketchy areas. But when the trail is in good shape, snowshoes are super nice.

This looked like a good adventure- loved the dog!

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Thanks! Yes. Always lessons to be learned for me out there, even from a dog.

This video was pretty fun. Probably not the greatest backwoods adventure tale of all time but quite charming. Not a dud at all!

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Thanks. I thought it was life telling me to go with the flow because sometimes I try to stop talking so much in the camera and focus more on the mountain. But here it was like the story became the dog and I never even got up to the summit. Still, I agree, it ended up being fun. Just got to go with what life throws at you sometimes.

The trail dog seemed happy to find someone to take her on a hike. I've only been snowshoeing a handful of times, but I find side stepping downhill on steep trail sections safest and least cumbersome. Looked like a fun adventure and you came away with a story to tell.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Side stepping. I'll try it! Thanks.

That's the knotts landing dog

Downhill in snowshoes is always tricky for me. Ideally, you try to dig your toes in (the opposite of your natural inclination). It it’s not too steep or there’s pretty deep, unconsolidated snow I just get going in a controlled slide. Sometimes I run down the short, steep sections. Side step down is always a good choice. If it’s something particularly steep, I’ll climb down it backwards like backing down a ladder so the toes have really good purchase. You just have to be careful when backing down not to trip. Pretty sure the dog lives at the Notch Inn and has done lots of hikes with unsuspecting hikers. Also, a prime camping spot is at the summit of Stairs. Room for one (maybe two) tents. No water, though. This is a known campsite. Both this campsite and the one you saw at the beginning are in Ken MacGray’s 52 With a View book.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

This comment is gold, Laura! Thank you. Good tips for the snowshoes. And it is very interesting to know my guesses leading me toward the Inn were not totally off! Maybe the dog knows the owner at the house as well. Terrible road to have to cross if you are a dog so I won't think about that. And the camping spot info is also great. I'll likely save the Stairs until it's warm. I got that book so I'll go back and look at it again. For winter I am sticking with camping places not too far so I can escape if things go wrong. But yes - as always - I value your info! Thanks! So funny about the dog hustling hikes with unsuspecting hikers, LOL.

That dog is Mia, the Notchland Inn dog. She makes that hike daily, often multiple times. Les and Ed, the Notchland Owners have a tag that is usually affixed to her collar requesting that she be "guided" back to the inn. She is a consummate escape artist, however so she always ends up back on the trail.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Wow! Thanks for the info. That puts my mind at ease and also probably a few people who will see the video and worry about the dog. Mia sure is clever and communicative. And when I said get in the car so we can go to the hotel, she jumped in immediately. I will always remember this unusual experience. Hope to meet her again someday.

@MaryAnnBenson

6 ай бұрын

There is a reason why Ed and Les (The Notchland's owners) named her Mia. It stands for Missing in Action! 😊@@RachelWhelton

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

That is so funny! @@MaryAnnBenson

its not a fail. getting out is always good. Beautiful country.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yeah, I guess there were many lessons learned. I am going to get back up to the mountains asap to try again with the snowy trails.

Im still concerned about the dog😔

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

I'm pretty sure the dog lived right there by the way she reacted when the car came. If I had doubts I would have waited a while longer after talking to the man. But that dog sprinted full speed after the car and never looked back. The dog was in perfect health so I think she lives a good life.

I find pointing my toes down when going downhill engages the built in crampons and reduces the sliding.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Alright I will try it!

I find that if I keep my weight somewhat centered over my feet I have no issues….you do it enough you’ll find your groove. kinda like down hill on skis….

@stephancardoos1782

6 ай бұрын

Not sure if you did this, lower your heels back down for the down hills. Good to see you back on the trail

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yes, I did figure that part out. Otherwise it feels like high heels. The center of gravity tip is good. I was trying to get a feel for it. Combining all these tips, I will do better next time.

looks like you had a trail companion.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yes, the dog showed me how it should be done. Fly along the trail, listen to the wind, run fast then stop for breaks.

Well, you have to listen to your body and mind. Those two will always tell you when things are right, or when to stop and reconsider. I know that can be a hard thing to do when you've got a vision. But, there's always another day. And, in this case, your decision put you at the right place and right time so the dog and owner could find each other. win-win

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Good point. I hadn't thought about that, how the owner came back as we got to the trailhead.

That is the best dog ever. I want him so bad. My two goof balls just run awaaaaaaaaaay. Never come back

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yes, the dog was amazing. Super well mannered. Brilliant. Highly communicative. I felt bad not knowing her name because she seemed smarter than some humans. I felt slow and dumb when the dog looked at me, as if saying "What kind of human are you who can't even run on the trail and understand what I am telling you!?" Still thinking about the dog today and wondering how many times she has summited that mountain.

It would be hard to enjoy myself if I was worrying about a dog (and I'm not a dog person). You can't help but feel responsible for the dog's well-being. Yesterday, I tried to go for a hike in mid-coast Maine and l ended up turning around pretty quickly. I left my snow shoes in the car and just brought micro spikes because I assumed the trail would be well- trampled at this popular state park. The going was much harder than I had anticipated and I'm still trying to get back in hiking shape after having to take quite a bit of time off due to ankle and knee injuries. I felt like I should have pressed on, but winter time is not the time to push any boundaries if it doesn't feel right, so I think I made the right decision.

@RachelWhelton

6 ай бұрын

Yes, exactly! All this resonates with me and seems so true. My husband said once I went into Mom-Mode, I wasn't able to be in Adventure-Mode anymore. So I think next time I am going to go with a military mindset. Prepare and execute the mission!