Solo Winter Camping at 5ºF in the Albanian Alps
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- čas přidán 26. 06. 2024
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ABOUT THIS HIKE
In December 2021 I camped in the snow for 2 nights in the Accursed Mountains in Montenegro on the border with Albania. Hours away from the closest town, without cell phone reception, without any sounds and at -15°C my coldest 2 nights ever.
A written day-by-day itinerary and all my gear cam be found on:
harmenhoek.com/
CAMERA GEAR
Camera: amzn.to/31aQofa
Lens 12-35: amzn.to/3jJN4ht
Lens 7-14: amzn.to/3GrLyu5
Lens 40-160: amzn.to/33Z1nKc
Tripod: amzn.to/3vOW2ik
Drone: amzn.to/30XYeZl
Spare battery GH5: amzn.to/3nBDv6k
Camera quick release plate: amzn.to/33PdKbk
Camera slider: amzn.to/3KntnYz
Tripod head: amzn.to/3nEKlHU
LP-E6 battery and charger: amzn.to/3nFQ6W2
Variable ND filter: amzn.to/3AgQIGy
HIKING GEAR
Down jacket: bit.ly/3Ip5Fcs (women: bit.ly/3KxC2Yj)
Rain jacket: bit.ly/3GHQevD (women: bit.ly/3GRImYw)
Shirt: North Face Summit Series Futurefleece
Winter hiking boots: amzn.to/3tEtDwa
Snow shoes: amzn.to/33QOWQd
Socks: amzn.to/3Gmr7hX
Hiking Poles: Decathlon Forclaz MH500
CAMPING GEAR
Tent: amzn.to/3t3xnXK
Tent footprint: amzn.to/3nHn48i
Backpack: amzn.to/3BgTRoM
Rain cover: amzn.to/3rvyg9o
Water bottle with filter: amzn.to/3pZzvi3
Water bottle: amzn.to/3bivrRb
Air mattress: amzn.to/3pIKSKO
Pillow: amzn.to/3CoSoOE
Cooking kit: amzn.to/3FR7j50
Stove: amzn.to/3vPUp3K
Coffee drip: amzn.to/31vqdAf
Sleeping bag: amzn.to/3t84gmo
Satellite communicator (SOS device): amzn.to/3HGWGDa
Running GPS watch: amzn.to/3KrOZmE
Headlamp: amzn.to/3tGULec
Knife: amzn.to/3KtgrQL
Phone: amzn.to/33pRaGJ
Earphones: amzn.to/3IiQZeT
Thin (running) gloves: amzn.to/3KnxV15
All carbon emissions of this trip were offset by Trees for All.
Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
1:45 Day 1 - Vusanje, Montenegro to valley Liqeni i Gjeshtarës
3:31 Day 1 - Arriving in the valley
9:15 Day 1 - First night
12:44 Day 2 - Morning
22:38 Day 2 - Second night
23:30 Day 3 - Heading out
25:01 Outro
#wintercamping #peaksofthebalkans #hiking #solohiking #snowcamping #wintercamping
This must be the most slow paced film I’ve made so far, but that is kinda what I experienced out there.
This whole trip was improvisation. I had planned on hiking part of the Peaks of the Balkans trail, but the amount of snow greatly exceeded my expectations, basically cancelling all the plans I’d made. Instead I spent a week winter camping in Albania (video will come), and a few days here in Montenegro. These 2 nights were the coldest I’ve ever camped in (wind chill -18°C), but also 2 of the most memorable ones.
There was no wind for the 2 days I camped there; the closest town was a 3 hour hike through deep snow. At night I would walk to the middle of the valley and look up at these rough mountains lit up by the full moon with the stinging cold of in my face and the perfect silence. No words for it.
Curious to find out what you all think about it film!
Full background story on harmenhoek.com.
Dear Harmen,
This is a wonderful film and tracking record. Most amazing it is solo film and solo tracking. Thanks a lot share your tracking and beautiful footprint. Please stay safe and have great tracking.
Intro says 'without any sounds' :
klink soos paradys, vir hierdie Engelse vroumens! 😁
Just subscribed, fourth video I've watched tonight. How many times can I say how incredible your videos are? I will keep it short - they are brilliant in every way. Every shot is amazing, perfect. I'm no expert but I'm just stunned the entire time. The night shots, the starscape with the mountains in the foreground and everything perfectly visible. Beautiful work!
Thanks for another vlog....love from india
Your slow videos are just perfect for watching before bed. Makes sleep better. Keep posting!
Brother, this is a wonderful offering to us all. No need to apologize for the sense of this being slow. Slow is good. Slow is a doorway to Presence, and to the eternal truths held there. The world could use a lot more of that. As you well know, what we connect to in silence, in stillness, is beyond words. I love that your films are not narrated. They are a meditation. And I am deeply grateful for them, and your growing talent as a filmmaker. Much love, fellow wanderer..
Thank you Todd! Appreciate your comment. My intent is to make videos even non-hikers might enjoy: just relaxing and letting nature speak.
great comment
Todd, I fully agree with you. Harmen's films are simply outstanding, extraordinary and tell us more than words. I am inspired and getting ready for adventures, to create myself and share with People. But Harmen became a waymaker and master of style💚👏
Sometimes, when I'm suffocated by daily routine in litter urban surrounding, I watch your movies. They are the best remedy. Thank You.
Awesome! That's really my goal of these videos.
Now, every time I click "Like" before watching your video. All amazing.
Haha, thanks for that (:
I love silence videos it brings me to a magical solitude.
Thanks!
highest quality hiking channel on youtube!
You're the best!
Salut Harmen! In snow, cold, conditions put your hiking shoes in a bag that you place at the bottom of your sleeping bag. Your hiking shoes will no longer freeze and will be more comfortable to put on! Great outstanding video .. good job ,once again.
One of the greatest videos on CZcams! Never imagined Balkans can be so beautiful. Ah, frozen boots. That's why I don't use membrane boots any more. Instead I prefer water proof overshoes over leather boots. Now, I don't need to deal with frozen leather in the morning or warming them near the fire. Simple, cheap and efficient solution.
Thank you very much! Up to a few months ago I'd never even heard of these mountains. A real gem in Europe. Yeah I totally agree. And drying these boots out takes f o r e v e r.
Another great video Harmen! Bravo, really outstanding work. Even if the focus was on camping instead on hiking this time, it was such an enjoyment to watch. Great arrangement with all the love for the detail and stunning views. Thank you very much for sharing your talent and for inspiring. I hope you got to body temperature again, after this trip ;) Have a great weekend. Best wishes, Mario
Hi Mario, thank you! I try not fall into a rhythm of just outputting videos, but really make each video special and different from the previous one. Thanks for watching and enjoy your weekend too.
@@HarmenHoek Yeah, I totally agree, without having the pressure of putting out content, you will have more freedom to create better quality films. But if I wouldn't put some releasing pressure on myself, I wouldn't record any hike that I do, hehe, but I want some of them as a video for my personal memories too, so I have to force myself sometimes to go out and press the record button. And If I wouldn't have found your channel, I wouldn't even make hiking videos at all, you are a huge inspiration to many. Thank you, always looking forward to your next one ;) Have a great week man.
Simply stunning. A grandmother from Florida, USA
Thank you 😊
I cant enjoy this video thinking how much effort he makes. putting camera, walking away from it and taking it back.. it is just insane.
Haha, but I love it!
Another congrats and thanks for this film. In 2 seconds, it opens on the beautiful drone views and I'm over there, enjoying the gorgeous mountains. Not only your filming and editing are first class, but also even without any words, I find the film very philosophical. It's not slow at all, it's relaxing, inspiring, just making us feel like being somewhere else for 20 minutes. All warm at home while you do the -18°C 😂
Can't wait for the Albanian video! 👍
Many thanks! Loved reading your comment, great motivation for me! I was a bit anxious about this video, being it perhaps a bit too slow, but happy to hear so many like it. Thanks again!
@@HarmenHoek It's perfect
great Films👍👍👍👍👍 [ Academy Award for Best Documentary for Silent Hiking Films ] granted by viewers👍😉( from Taiwan )
Great work Harmen, you always capture the spirit of being in the mountains, the calm, the silence, the vews. Amazing!
Thank you! :D It's that feeling of total peace and vastness I try to share.
Prachtig zoals al je andere video’s!! Geweldige stills ook op het einde. Dank voor het delen🙏🏼
Dankje! :D
Just come across your channel and have been blown away by the quality of everything you do. The best vids on CZcams by far.
The timelapses in this video are absolutely mesmerizing
Wow, such intricate and aesthetic videography. You really go to lengths to create your story. Loved it!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Harmen, I thought you will not surprise me anymore after I've seen your other films. But this one, focus on slow bivacco in the Valley, at the edge of Forest, in deep snow, just surviving, filming very special way, campfire.... all of this make amazing story. Thank you Brother💪
Thanks a lot!
It has "moved me" so much that I am still almost in shock. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thank you for your kind comment. (:
I agree.... i did not sleep most of the night after the first viewing.... I said to my husband, "this should win every award out there. I hope he is somehow vastly rewarded for giving these to humanity.
Join me in Patagonia from November 8-15!
► Book your spot on: harmenhoek.com/grouphike
I am organizing my very first group trip to Patagonia from November 8-15. We'll doing a lot of hiking and cool other adventures some of the most beautiful locations in Patagonia! And exclusively for this trip I'll talk about my trip planning process and filmmaking + editing workflow (for those interested of course).
No need to have backpacking experience, we'll be staying in hotels and are accompanied by a local guide.
Check out the website for the full itinerary, pricing and more!
Only limited spots available.
Super excited about this!
Another masterpiece from the Zeffirelli of backpacking. A visual treat. Thank you 😊
THank you!
This is a great film. I've only just found your back catalogue, superb films Harmen, very enjoyable to watch. Some places Ive been but many I'd like to visit, I really like your style of video. Thank you for sharing your travels, David.
You have taken the silent hiking video to a level I never knew existed. I am so happy I happened across your channel.
Wow, thank you!
@@HarmenHoek I agree.... your videos are profoundly moving, like God Itself revealing a glimpse of something unname-able. Is it just drone cinematography, no "person" with a camera on site with you? :) amazing.
The stars are so beautiful
Yes they are!
Amazing. So quite, so sensitive... no words needed. Ambient music is perfect. Thank you
God bless you.
Thank you
Thanks for introducing me to the beautiful mountains of Montenegro Harmen....cold...but beautiful! Keep the great content coming!
Thanks. These mountains are amazing. More to come!
Enjoy the sound of coffee being prepared!
Oh yea, me too!
Juste magnifique ! Respect
Thank you!
Gorgeous! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
Love these films 💕
Fantastic video, your filming and editing is excellent. I am just back from the Accursed Mountains, its an amazing place
Great to hear!
WOW! What a campsite ⛺️ with breathtaking snowy mountain 🏔 peaks, brilliant starry skies 🌌 & warm toasty fire 🔥 for cooking & heat!! Sounds like Heaven to me🙋🏼♀️🇺🇸 especially liked the drone shot of your footprints in the perfect snow ❄️
Thank you! A very cold heaven for sure ...
It’s been awhile :) looking forward to the video
same here! 😃
Yes, lots and lots of work. But next trip is up next week, so next video won't be as long of a wait. (;
Beautiful as usual! So calming.
Thank you! 😊
😮wow I love this film!
Excelente video ,no lo he visto aún,pero imagino que estara genial
Thanks for Share this with us
God bless you
Gracias!
@@HarmenHoek Gracias a ti
It's just amazing 🤩 I don't now, what I can say more! You are profi,thank you for this film!
Magnificent!
Thanks!
Another wonderful video. Close to perfection. Like watching Kraig Adams, Erik Normark and Xander Budnick all rolled into one. I hope you're able to keep making these, they are works of art. Beautiful.
Well, that's a compliment! Thank you. (:
It's beautiful and the music is so relaxable
What a truly wonderful and beautiful post. Thank for sharing this.
Wonderful video! Thankyou so much!! 🙏
Thank you for the comment!
Dear harman!
I've been waiting for your video to be uploaded.
Every time I watch your videos, the tiredness of everyday life is recovered, and I also started to have my own philosophy.
Your appearance in the video is so wonderful and wonderful.
Always looking forward to it and thank you.
Posted by your ardent listeners from Korea!
Thanks a lot! Comments like these are the true motivation!
Yet an other magnificent video. Thank you so much for bringing us along with you. :-)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you too
Absolutely incredible hike. Love the breathtaking views.
Thanks for sharing and really enjoyed watching.
Thanks!
Wow, another beautiful film! Really enjoyed watching it! Thank you for taking us along on your journey.
Glad you enjoyed it!Thanks
Another Epic work!!
Thanks for another enjoyable video! I would not have described it as "slow". Though it didn't have the variety of shots I was expecting, I still enjoyed it. After seeing all the snow I think I actually felt some of the comfort of the fire. I very much enjoyed your summary of your trip on your website. The crazy experiences (e.g. sliding unattended car) and the good humor in the stories were really enjoyable to read. I look forward to more videos and stories!
Thanks Toby for telling me this! Often all I see is numbers, but actually hearing from someone who's reading my itineraries and watching my videos is much better. Wish you all the best, and thanks again!
Absolutely beautiful mountain valley and unique proud peaks. I loved the slower pace and the intimate look at this valley.
It was fun making a different video about camping instead of hiking this time, but I was also a bit anxious about it. Glad to get so much positive reactions.
This was very beautiful. Thank you Harmen.
Thanks for the comment!
I really loved the pace of this video, music and your cinematography is amazing! It's like an art and therapeutic. It make me feel like that I actually there. I loved camping fire red, mountain and stars with some bubbly things, morning sun came out of mountain as star shape and your foot print on snow from drone scenes. I like your still photos at the end too. Thank you so much for sharing your magical experience!
Wow, thanks! Much appreciated!
Love your videos! You’re such an inspiration, what an adventure! Take care and see you in the mountains! 😁 Cheers! 🤘🏻🏔
Thank you! Will do!
It was a very enjoyable episode. Thanks 🥳
Much appreciated!
Hermoso lugares. .muchas gracias.
Muchas gracias!
Prachtig gedaan! Heb genoten!
Bedankt! :D
The video is amazing! The countryside is so lovely and the way sometimes gets really difficult 😮🙂
Espectacular!! Gracias por compartir!! Saludos! 👏👏👏
Muchas gracias!
@Harmen Hoek, geweldige video! @18:37 heb je het wederom prachtig in beeld gebracht hoe immense de natuur is, werkelijk waar prachtig!
Bedankt! (:
Thanks for this one Harmen.
Thanks for watching!
Dear Harmen Hoek!
You have my most respect and admiration 🙏
Ah, I appreciate that!
I appreciate you too Harmen!
You teach me the one very powerful thing that we have is…THE MIND!!!
You show me that Mother Earth is sacred and so beautiful!
You are my INSPIRATION!🙏
I am so lucky 🍀🍀🍀 to know you Harmen!
Fantastic video and that last photo is SO epic!! Thanks for taking us along Harmen!!
Thank you!
Thanks fot providing such beautiful videos
It's my pleasure
Wow beautiful mountain
I love your videos, amazing places and your fortress♥️
The drone shots are just epic ❤❤❤
Great stuff man! I'm inspired by your work. Good sound choice. I felt the silence, emptiness, and vastness of the mountains and snow. My jaw dropped when i saw the drone shot with the top view of you walking in snow!! Amazing. Thank you.
Thank you! I was hoping to convey that feeling of vastness and silence I experienced out there. Mission accomplished. Thanks
Spectacular beauty of the mountains and the skill of the video creator are a winning combination.
Thank you very much! (:
Stunning photography, very professional. Bravo!!!!
Thank you so much 😀
That's the way winter should like.Amazing view, especially lots of shots taken from the distance.
Thanks! Those distance shots are my favorite, really shows the vastness of the place. But those shots also take most effort
Extraordinary video!! You capture the essence of how connected you are to nature through your professional videography skills. Your videos are a visual and auditory meditation! Without a doubt you put in a lot more work than we see to make this happen. You deserve 1M+ subscribers. Keep it up… your time will come my friend. Stay blessed!
Thanks for the motivation (:
Awesome! Gorgeous video! It made my day. Thanks!
Awesome, glad to hear that!
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing
My pleasure 😊
Soooooooo peaceful. Sooooo relaxing. I pleasure to watch and listen to. Many many thanks for your great job
Thank you too!
A beautiful experience watching this amazing video. Thank you.
Appreciated!
Your videos are always the best.
Awesome!!!
Thanks!!
Exceptional piece of work, love it! There's something mystical about desolated winter landscapes. Keep on creating, your channel deserves to be up there with the best (and beyond). Lekker bezig!
Thank you! Will do! Groeten. (;
Muy buena edición un vídeo muy bonito gracias por regalarnos estos paisajes HARMEN 👏👏👍
Muchas gracias!
Breathtaking photography.
Many thanks!
¡Gracias!
Muchas gracias tambien!
You have surpassed yourself with this one, thank you :-)
Glad to hear that! It was though project, but happy to hear people enjoy it.
Every frame is a beautiful painting！sssso great！
Thanks for the comment. (:
Perfect in my estimation. I subscribe to another film maker from Sweden who rarely speaks and who's films have this same meditative quality - exactly my sweet spot. I don't talk incessantly when I'm out in the Aussie bush, I prefer to look and listen, to let the setting wash me and shift my perceptions outwards in a way that somehow refreshes inwards simultaneously. (Don't want my nature films to sound like the line at the grocery store - yap, yap, yap.) Letting the setting speak requires the filmmaker to speak less and you are a class act in that regard Harmen. As we watched my Wife said, "Where is it? 2023 we need to start saving to go there." When you started piling up firewood I thought, "He's staying longer, this will be interesting." And it was. Awesome and wonderous, pretty good to be able to pass that feeling on via a youtube video!
Hi Mikel. Thank you for your comment, I was a joy reading it. I totally agree with you, don't make it sound like a grocery store. (';
Thanks for the support, and I hope you can make it out there next year! All the best, Harmen
AMAZING ,GREAT JOBS
THANK YOU
Magnificent. More than a hiking or trekking film, a 21st century Gesamtkunstwerk.
incredible film! I love that it felt like a story without any commentary, so well done.
Thank you! 😃
Beautiful shots, amazing video editing! Looking forward to the next masterpiece👍
Thanks a lot, mr. Dracht. (:
If I would use just one word, it would be BEAUTIFUL. Beautiful mountains, which I’ve never heard before. Beautiful cinematography of yours. I’m sure it was a beautiful and great experience for you. Congratulations. Great job 👍 J. 🙂
I hadn't heard of them either up to a few months ago. Such a gem. Thank you!
Really love you composition .off the top 👌👌👌
Thank you
Fantastic Video 💯💪❄️
Appreciate it
Thx for wonderful video 🤩
My pleasure 😊
Stupendo posto fantastico sei un grande
Muchísimas gracias!
Really enjoyed the video, I liked the pace of it! Very relaxing
Glad you enjoyed it!
Tell us the truth, you have a team of 30 people writing, filming and editing this video.
Seriously this is amazing. Congratulations!
Hahaha, I wish I got help at times.
Excellent & Beautiful~~ Slow paced video made me feel like I am right there and I was able to enjoy the scenery more. I really enjoy watching your videos. It is a great stress reliever and quite inspiring as well. Thanks for all the trouble!
Glad you enjoyed it!
thanks harmen for this beautiful video. I like the slow pace, its exquisite environment...... I know I am v. silly, but I am really keep worrying about harmen because there was A avalanche happened A week ago in middle east. I also worry if A hungry grisly comes out to attack. let me say thank you again.
My goodness, this is just fantastic! Beautiful images, but also enjoy seeing the technical aspects of your hike (gear, site selection/preparation, cooking, etc). You are going to give Kraig Adams a run for his money. Also, dig the Cal gear #beatstanford
Haha thanks a lot. Go Bears!
I've enjoyed every frame in this video. I simply love it. I feel inspired to make my first solo camping in the next months!
Great to hear! Go for it!