Solo Hiking the Presicat Loop - White Mountains Backpacking Trip
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- čas přidán 23. 08. 2024
- 3 days of backpacking, stealth camping and hiking in the White Mountains. GPS trip data available at www.sintax77.com
For this late Summer hammock camping trip (August), I'll be going for the full range of White Mountains backpacking and hiking experiences. From the seclusion of rugged wilderness areas, to the tourist laded summit of Mount Washington. Encompassing both the western and eastern sides of Rt 16, the goal is to complete a 3 day loop comprised of the Presidential Range, Tuckerman Ravine, Wildcat Range, and the Carter-Moriah Range before returning to the car.
If you're interested in the gear, check out my full Gear List Video here: • Pack Choices for Begin...
The 11lb base weight system seen in that video is identical to my system for this trip with the exception of the following changes which increased the base weight by about 2.5 lbs:
Fleece Sleeping bag (21oz) replaced with Suisse Sport 30 degree mummy bag. (3lbs)
Mont-bell Ultralight Down Parka (9oz) was brought for additional warmth.
I carried around 7lbs food and water (usually only 1 liter), so total pack weight was still around 20 lbs or so.
GPS Tracking Data for Entire Trip: www.sintax77.co...
**Tracks for each day end on the trail prior to picking a specific campsite. Recording is resumed on the beginning of each day, back on the trail from night before.
Parking: Imp Trail head 44°19'23.40"N 71°13'0.99"W
(**not starting on Imp trail, this will be the finish)
Trails Used (in order):
Day 1
Road Hike to Dolly Copp Campground
Begin on Daniel Webster-Scout Trail
Osgood Trail
Gulfside Trail (passing Madison Spring Hut on descent)
Mt Jefferson Loop Trail
Return to Gulfside Trail
Sphinx Trail
Stealth Camp towards bottom of Sphinx Trail in the Great Gulf Wilderness
Daily Totals: 11.40 Miles, 6,008 feet elevation gain
Day2
Back up Sphinx Trail
Gulfside Trail
Trinity Heights Connector (to Mt Washington Summit)
Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Lions Head Trail
Alpine Garden Trail
Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Grab a drink at Pinkham Notch Visitor Center and cross Rt 16 to
Lost Pond Trail
Wildcat Ridge Trail
Stealth Camp before getting to Carter Notch Hut
Daily Totals: 13.80 Miles , 6,755 feet elevation gain
Day 3
Carter-Moriah Trail
Carter Dome Trail
Nineteen Mile Brook Trail
Totals: 8.77 miles, 2,471 feet elevation gain
Trip Grand Totals
34 Miles, 15,234 feet elevation gain.
Summit's for this Trip in order:
Mt Madison, Mt Jefferson, Mt Washington, Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat Mountain, Carter Dome, Mt Hight
Camera Used: Samsung H-300
I love watching those hikers out on the west coast with the smooth graded trails; not sure the get how steep the north east hiking is
I appreciate that you don't leave out the parts where you get a bit off trail...I'm just getting started with some longer and overnight hikes and know that sooner or later I will make a wrong turn somewhere...thanks for showing how to recover on the fly. I really enjoy your trips and give you credit for the all the solo hikes.
in this case, it was a good thing. going up Huntington Ravine is the toughest trail in the state, going down is not recommended because of its steepness and almost technical requirements.
no easy task.it takes incredible strength and stamina to do this loop.The climb up from the road to adams is huuuge!
I feel like I just went back 10 plus years to watch your good old Presicat Loop video. It's been that long since I first watched it.😯 The 1/2 mile wrong turn back down the mountain brings back memories from one of my trips. The dayhikers must have thought for sure what's wrong with him. I also had the same happen to myself. 🤣 Anyway I just wanted to check out your Whites trip for a possible trip next year. Take Care and tell Sara hi from me.😀
I find it interesting that you always make it a point to talk about trying to avoid people. I understand that you want the seclusion but I find that meeting new people is one of my favorite things about backpacking.
Another successful trip and I didn't even have to get out of my chair ...great vid THX
Thank you! I went a bit without posting - soaking up the last bits of summer and compiling all the footage for this particular piece, but it's nice to have it wrapped up and published. Now it's on to the Fall adventures... :D
nice to see a fellow hammocker in the Whites
Sintax, you are THE Best person at making gear reviews and hiking videos. honestly you are my inspiration!
I continue to enjoy your adventures. I think we all come along and enjoy the ride. Can't wait for the next adventure.
If this had been me, I'd have been prancing and dancing around like Mick Jagger, mocking Mount Washington and singing, "I ~own~ you Mount Washington...I take you when I want you 'cause you my bytch!"
Sometimes thing don't always go as planned, but like you said you get to see different areas and sights you mite not get a chance to. I've had hikes go this way as well. There were some very nice views and waterfalls too. Good hike.
I agree with metsfan12110 the Adirondack mountains are beautiful and you can easily find a 2 day one night trail with waterfalls, mountains , views, ect anywhere in the adirondacks.
Of the the major over-the-counter pain relievers, IB is the most effective at dealing with inflammation (substantially more than acetaminophen) - ideal for the morning after using those muscles that don't get worked at your desk job, or worse, when you get a sprain 5 miles from the car. It also thins the blood less than Aspirin (particularly gastrointestinal and cerebral bleeds), a trait you probably wouldn't want in the event of a backwoods laceration or head trauma.
enjoyed as always, way to much for my old body to endure , thanks for sharing .. Tony
appreciate the quality editing as well. I don't see that often, and as a Film and TV student I can appreciate how much footage you probably have to deal with :)
Thank you, and it's great to hear you're getting out there. I'm working on the final plans for a Fall backpacking trip in a different location next. Going to drag the wife and some friends out with me, so it should be a good time.
Another awesome video. I emailed the discovery channel and told them to check out your videos. You are like the Les Stroud of hiking, camping and gear show.
Sintax, you're my hero. I'd love to head up to the Whites some summer and at least attempt the Appalachian section there. I really like what I've seen and read about visiting the AMC Lodges & Huts.
Glad to see the video is up.. I'm a new subscriber and just got caught up on all your vids a couple weeks ago. Been the longest couple of weeks waiting for a new video/trip. No one else on youtube does this kind of video, as good as you. Keep up the good work.
Nice to see another Fenix flashlight user. Once I started carrying Fenix torches/headlamps for edc as well as backpacking, I was in love. Hoping to make my way up to the Whites to hike sometime also. Keep on keepin on!
Joshua Cranston Yup, I love both of my Fenix lights as well. They make some solid gear.
The summit of Mt. Washington has a great look... Chillie Dogs... love it
Jason Sneed Yeah, that was awesome, but also super surreal to suddenly be surrounded by tons of people, electricity and heated air. Then right back to the middle of nowhere. This was probably one of my favorite trips.
Excellent question. I should have mentioned in the video - I recently signed up for an online subscription to AMC's White Mountain Guide and found it very useful. You can lay out custom routes on the map and it will generate a trip guide with map with directions and descriptions for all trail portions used. Pretty cool and I think it was only like $15 or so for the year.
Thanks for sharing! Your videos have really inspired me. Despite being up in the Whites a few weeks ago, I'm making the trek back up from Philly on a Friday evening after work, hiking the Franconia Ridge Trail, and making that oh so fun drive back home Sunday afternoon. I would have never done that before watching your videos . Really appreciate all of your effort to share your adventures with us.
Great hike. I haven't had to hike through night to finish up miles yet.
Wild Cat ridge Trail is no joke.... at least you gain elevation quickly. I've rolled my ankle on that trail a few times... Great video! Thanks for sharing!
Yes, hiking that thing in the dead of night is definitely something I'll never forget. Worth the experience.
I'm in Colorado, so it is nice to see all your trips in country I may never personally experience. Feel like I'm there with you! Another good night of hiking, (well sort of from in front of the computer screen! Much easier that way, but I was sweating with you on those steep climbs.)
I also live in Colorado. Most of the hiking places I go are dry so I love watching his videos :)
Hey Sintax!! Once again a great trip! That is a rugged loop you selected, Your a man after my heart with some of your trail selections. I've always enjoyed the DL Scout /Osgood and Howker ascents up towards Madison and Adams, and Sphinx and man aren't the Cats a hoot?? Thanks again for letting us tag along. Its always nice to see other enjoying areas i love.
Thanks for dragging me along, those rocks were tough. Enjoyed!
Sure thing, thanks for coming along :)
Cool video and lovely locations, it would be fun just to camp along the trails and do some nature and landscape photography.
Nice finish to the vid those burgers looked great ... your friend from the great white north Danial
My friend I definitely love seeing the cheeseburger at the end. Thank you for such a wonderful video I loved it. I was a little scared though few times watching you going down those steep ravine’s with no tracking polls. I definitely would not of tried that without them. Be blessed my friend. John
Breathtaking views. Thanks for sharing. Please be careful.
Another great video. Awesome trip, even though it didn't exactly go according to plan. I need to get by base weight down a bit before backpacking up and over summits like that. Enjoy the cheeseburger!
10 years later the "Presicat Loop" is a thing now for hikers in the Whites, and I see people talking about it by name.
I love all of your videos i have seen so far. You have inspired me to start backpacking. I have been a survivalist before your videos but i anticipate your RRG in KY video because it is the closest you have ever come to me. I'm from Louisville KY but i went to EKU in Richmond KY and my long time friend went to UK. Both universities are close to RRG and soon after that video i will do your exact trip. I have stayed in a cabin at RRG and hiked to natural bridge but that is the most i've ever done in RRG. Hopefully that trip goes well and i find the time to make it to the Catskills, and other places you have backpacked in your youtube "career". Keep on keepin on man.
i stay at dolly copp a lot the night before I hike.. its a chill place
I remember doing the great gulf wilderness and the parapet Trail back in the late seventies, if I remember correctly there's no water up there! it's quite the hike.
you would love the seven devils here in Idaho
Always a pleasure watching your videos! I always enjoy them!
Thanks for sharing your trip. It looks like it was a good trip with some great views.
STinga
Yeah, I'm happy with how things turned out. Sure, it would have been cool to go a little deeper into the Carter Range, but I think emerging from the Sphinx trail onto a windy, fog blanketed treeline below Mt Washington was a decent trade-off. Sometimes creepy can be more fun than serene :)
Thanks, man. Yup, no water worries on this one. Btw, I came really close to doing the Bonds / Franconia earlier on in my planning for this trip, so I was glad to see your latest video hit that area. Now I feel like I did both :)
Uhhhh.....that lunch (@minute 30) is a little scary for a Carry Out hike! Thanks for sharing another great hike with us though!
Mint. Washington summit looks pretty dam good. LOL
I look forward to these vids all the time! I've hiked most (but not all) of the trails that you've shown as well. Keep up the good work man!! Hopefully run into you one day on the trail!!
I thoroughly enjoyed that video, great trip! No idea how you ate that burger and were able to stay awake for the the long ride home, I would fallen asleep in the parking lot!
Awesome, good luck with the trip! I was actually going to send you a PM to thank you for the tip on the Woodstock Inn Brewery, but I'll just tell you here. Got the "Death by Burger", double-decker with 18oz cheeseburger on the bottom, BLT with onion on top - unreal!
Looked like you had a blast... Woodstock at the end of your trip was a good call. Hope you washed that burger down with a Pemi Pale Ale
Awesome video sintax, I need to get back into the woods!
I don't leave any indication in my car, in fact for rural spots, I'd rather leave people guessing if the owner might be showing up soon ;) However, I do always give my wife an e-mail listing general plan, area, parking spot and gps coordinates for most likely route.
Wow great trip man. I'm doing the same loop in a week or so and hope to make a good video to. I committed on your feedback vid about this loop. Keep up the great work and I can't wait tell your next video.
Love the video....but never go down Huntington Ravine! Extremely steep, only meant to go up.
Great vid! Thanks for sharing more of the east coast! Take care!
I haven't tried it yet, but I have a Kelty Cosmic 0 degree down bag that I'd like to test with the hammock and x-frame system. I'll probably do a November trip somewhere first, then possibly see how the 0* bag does deeper into winter.
Awesome man ! That was epic. Thanks for sharing. Good to see there was good water sources on the hike. Take care,Peace
cool trip my man! looks like a great time.
Great video's Sintaz77, you got me into hiking and have been loving it. Keep pumping out the video's can't wait to see where you have been next.
Good question. I've been using that same exact fuel bottle for over a year, with at least an ounce or two of spare fuel sitting in it and it hasn't shown an signs of damage yet. Now that I think about it - it's basically moonshine with some poison added, and plastic bottles seem to work fine for the cheap booze companies ;)
Great VID!!! I know it's a pain videoing, editing, hauling gear so I really appreciate the extra effort. Look forward to the next one.
Great video. Had to take part year of from hiking due to knee injury and life issues getting back into it now and hitting the whites in the spring. Keep up the great videos maybe we will cross paths in the near future
Beautiful scenery. You make some awesome videos.
You need to do a backpacking trip in the Adirondack Mountains!
Good grief! What a grueling hike. I would have started whining at the car...in solo mode anyways. Very very impressive stuff!
Oh yeah, definitely. Frozen pizza, chili, microwaved hot-dogs and loads of candy / chips. It was actually really disorienting to suddenly be inside a heated cafeteria with loads of people and hot food to stuff your face with. Talk about sensory overload. Next thing you know I was back in the wilderness - it was like a strange daydream ;)
I used AMC's White Mountains Guide Online to create a custom trip. It creates the map as well as a print-out of descriptions / mileage for each section of trail. Very helpful and easy to use, and it's via web browser, no software install - I highly recommend it.
Again, thanks for sharing another great video. I was in the adirondacks last weekend and it was really amazing. I definitely recommend you go there sometime. Keep up the good work!
Good video. Very ambitious of you to do this loop, solo, in 3 days.
Love your videos. 13:11...maybe the ROCKSTAR AND Pop Tarts not such a good energy choice...then some dehydrating coffee! 🤔👍
Thanks d good job, I will be there sometime in the end of May to do that hike. Thank you for the info!
wow dude you cut off carter too,i cant say i blame you,just an incredible journey.i am sure you learned too plan hikes in the whites a little more sparingly.
Nice Hike. Inspiring.
if you ever want to come up to Canada to the West Coast I would love to have you join me and we could go and do a hike/ camp somewhere in the mountains around here. i've been working on my light weight gear set up and I feel like I am just about ready to hit the mountains.
Haha, I know. I google'd it like 37 times before posting because I swore I must have stole it from somewhere without realizing it..
Hey Sintax - that's an amazing weekend. Tough but fun. And you're smart in the mountains, not dumb and macho, and you make good decisions which I like. Really enjoy all your videos.
Looking forward to more trips soon.
Will your hammock system with the inertia x frame keep you warm in winter if there's a on of cold air flowing underneath you?
Thanks again.
Cheers
Nick
thanks sintax man
Great video, enjoyed it just like your other video's, thanks for sharing
You have got some MONEY shots in this one. Good stuff.
Dude!! Nice to see you make a return to hiking videos. I was just looking at your website last night thinking, is this guy retired? I've got my mt dew and cheetos and something to do for an hour now!
Nice as always, Thanks for sharing..
Lucky man. Keep up the great vids! I really enjoy watching your backpacking adventures.
Hey Sintax. What do you do for a living? Thank you for all the wonderful videos. You have been my go to videos the whole time I’ve been convalescing. I’ve been going backpacking with you vicariously for the last couple years. God bless you and your family. John
Thanks for making the vid, I enjoyed watching it!
Always fun to watch your video's, Thanks
Great Video and route Sintax! Very impressed with the total miles you did on this trip considering the terrain! You must train/bike/run to stay in shape for these adventures? And while I love all your stuff, the solo trips are my favorites. Merry Christmas!
Thanks, Denali. I try to stay on top of doing a mix of cardio at the gym, although probably not as much as I should. Regardless, it still feels like nothing can really prepare someone for hiking, other than actually, well, hiking!
I enjoy the solo hikes too. In fact, I way overdue for one. I've got to work in that :)
Just watching this makes my knees hurt
Awesome video! I recently did the Carters and Wildcats. Is it me or were the Wildcats tough....sheesh!
Hey when are you coming to the land down-under for some walking? We have some lovely remote places that you can enjoy.
Awesome video! keep up the great work.
Great video!
Awesome vid...I am a new viewer/subscriber. I'm glad I found your channel.
She has her obvious safety concerns, but I think she's learned that my outings make for excellent "weekend out with the girls" opportunities, so it's a win-win.
Hey Sintax! how ya doing bud? I was wondering if you could get mike to make a gear video with you! im sure there are a lot of people here who would like to see what he brings. look forward to seeing your future videos! Thanks! -Dev
Love your videos. Next time you are in the Woodstock inn pop over to Faddens General store and pick up some award winning maple syrup. It's the bomb:-)
Haha, I guess we all have our own reasons for crawling into the woods. There's no shortage of people talking to me during the work week, so my backpacking trips are kind of my way of hitting the reset button. I suppose I get my social fix from talking to you guys after the trip is over ;)
Love your videos!
Guess I gotta start saving up for that plane ticket ;)
i love going up Mt Washington but i am not happy that they changed the Cog Train from Coal to Diesel
Great TR and production. Subbed.
Hey Sintax. Love your videos. I will be doing this hike from Pinkham Notch over the Wildcats, Carters, and follow the AT to Gorham NH. It will be pretty damn cold up there in two weekends, what is your recommendation on layers/shells for lower and upper body?