Tag Archives: winter hiking

Mail Call – Viewer Comments, Iceland, & 2017 Deer Camp Vid on the Whiterook85 Channel

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Discussion of various Hiking, Camping & Backpacking tips / topics. I guess it’s kind of like a low budget Backpacking Podcast using viewer mail and comments to pick the talking points. Or something like that.

Topics Discussed on this Episode

  • Where I’ve been the last few weeks.
  • 2017 Deer Camp Cabin Video out now on my dad’s channel, Whiterook85
  • Our recent trip to Iceland with a camper van.
  • Incorporating viewer comments into Mail Call episodes.
  • Carol gives us some life advice.
  • Various playlists available on the Sintax77 channel homepage.
  • People want to see cheeseburgers.
  • Two Bobs on YouTube
  • EDC Knives?
  • Thoughts on Hiking Poles / Trekking Poles for backpacking and hiking.
  • Hiking Poles for 3-Season vs Winter / Snowshoeing Trips
  • Water containers for backpacking water filters.
  • New Sawyer Micro Water Filter that came with my Saywer S3 Water Filter.
  • Gravity water filters vs smaller personal use filters.
  • Michael L. loves the sound of my voice.
  • Proper use of carabiners, Dutch Clips, etc when setting up hammock suspension straps.
  • Subs vs Hoagies?
  • Bringing “real food” on backpacking trips for your first meal or two.
  • Winter Ultralight Backpacking?
  • Gear List Videos
  • Finding Trail Maps
  • Some viewers think I quit making hiking / backpacking vids? (nope)
  • Using the “Subscription Bell” to get notifications for my new vids.
  • Winter Survival Topic – Beer Strategy
  • Never wear a Pittsburgh hat in Philly
  • 2 liter bag options for Katadyn BeFree (HydraPak 2 & 3 liter wide mouth bags)
  • Snowshoeing and courtesy to cross country skiers.
  • Dealing with “mono-rails” on winter snow hikes.
  • Doing a winter summit in 80mph winds (my High Winds Hiking Video)


Items Seen in the Video

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Sintax77
PO Box 8163
Wilmington, DE 19803

Gear samples for Sintax77’s Mail Call may be sent to my PO Box as well.
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Sara Goes to the Cabin! (Her Car Doesn’t Make It)

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Sara finally does a cabin trip! Oh, and her car gets stuck in the snow. So we drag all our stuff up the mountain instead of driving. 😉

I’m not sure if this exactly what Sara was picturing as her first trip to our hunting cabin, but nonetheless it made for some great memories. Join us for 3 days of wood stove stoking, PA game lands hiking, BBQ grilling, cabin chores, and just plain relaxing in the woods.

Location Selected! – Solo Winter Backpacking Trip (Pt 2)

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Based on Viewer Feedback I’ve Chosen the Location for my Solo Winter Backpacking Trip!

For the second installment of this series, I’ll be talking about my final choice for the location of the upcoming backpacking trip that I’ve been planning.  How did I make my decision on the final location for my winter camping trip?  You told me!

A very big thanks is in order for all of the super helpful viewers and subscribers that shared their feedback on the previous trip planning video.  Obviously, i had to narrow it down to just one area out of the hundred of backpacking routes that we shared, but I definitely learned a ton of useful info on areas for future trips as well.

For now though, I’m going to focus on the spot chosen for this trip.  Which is, of course, – Oh, come on, you didn’t think I’d really ruin the surprise by typing it here, did you?  🙂


I plan to do continued updates throughout the whole process of planning this winter hiking trip. All the way from location selection, specific route planning, getting there, doing the actual trip, and whatever else may come up in between, so check back for updates!

Where Should I go? – Solo Winter Backpacking Trip

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The Beginning Stages of Planning for my Solo Winter Backpacking Trip.

For part one of this series, I’ll be discussing my upcoming plans for a solo winter camping trip.  I’m currently in the very first stages of planning this trip.  In fact I haven’t even decided on the actual location yet!  Got any ideas?

I plan to do continued updates throughout the whole process of planning this winter hiking trip.  All the way from location selection, specific route planning, getting there, doing the actual trip, and whatever else may come up in between, so check back for updates!

Train to Trail – Harpers Ferry Winter Backpacking Trip – Hiking in Virginia

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Join Mike and I for for a “Train to Trail” Winter Camping, Backpacking, Campfire cooking, & Hiking adventure in Harpers Ferry, WV.

We tried something a bit different for fun on this winter camping trip – instead of driving, we decided to take an Amtrak train directly to the trailhead.  This is actually and idea that Mike and I had been kicking around for a while now.  The first challenge was finding an interesting trail that was actually close to a train station, without a need for secondary transportation or an excessive walk.  After a bit of research, we determined that Harpers Ferry, West Virginia fit the criteria quite well.  The train practically dumps you right on the Appalachian Trail.  We booked our tickets, packed our bags, and hit the trail, er, I mean, train station.

With 4 days and 3 nights off, we had a decent amount of time to play with on this trip.  The challenge however, would be that we needed to plan an out and back trip that didn’t put us to far away from the train station on our final morning, rather than doing a loop like we normally prefer.  Fortunately, we quickly realized that to be a perfect excuse to do a a laid back, more camping, less hiking  kind of trip.

The plan?  After leaving the train behind,we would hop on the Appalachian trail for a few miles – just long enough to feel the seclusion of the deep winter woods, and set up a base camp for the duration of the trip.  Other than that, we really had no hard set plans, other than relaxing, having a good time, and brushing up on our campfire cooking skills.  Did we succeed?  I guess you’ll just have to watch and see…

Trailhead:  Harpers Ferry Amtrak Train Station

GPS Data for this trip available on the Trip Data Page.

Harpers Ferry Winter Route Overview Sintax77

Harpers Ferry Winter Route Overview Sintax77

Trails Used
Leave Harpers Ferry via Appalachian Trail South
After around 3 miles, bushwack West to unofficial campsite.
Return via Appalachian Trail North

Notable Gear Used on this Trip by Mike
Gregory Palisade 80 backpack
EMS Down Parka
EMS Ascent Hard shell Jacket
MSR Whisperlite International stove
Dream Hammock Thunderbird Hammock
Hammock Gear Burrow 20 top quilt
Hammock Gear Incubator 20 underquilt
Hammock Gear Cuben Hex Tarp with doors
Portable bluetooth speaker with fancy lightshow
GSI cookset

Notable Gear Used on this Trip by Sintax77
EMS Longtrail 70 backpack (2011 version)
Montbell UL down parka
EMS Ascent Hardshell
MSR Rapidfire stove (see my video on it here) *no longer manufactured – modern equivalent is the MSR Windpro.
MSR Flex Skillet
Dollar Store tongs and turner for cooking
Sea to Summit Alpha Cutlery Set
Fozzils Bowl / Plate
Dream Hammock Darien Hammock
Hammock Gear Burrow 0 top quilt
Hammock Gear Incubator 0 underquilt
Hammock Gear Cuben Hex Tarp (standard model, no doors)
Pocket Chainsaw
SOG Flash I tanto blade pocket knife