Hiking Around Saddle Mountain (Tonopah, Arizona) - Van Life in Arizona

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 6 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 105

  • @authordebradickinson
    @authordebradickinson 7 лет назад +10

    Wow Robert. At the end of a very stressful big city day, I really needed this. Absolutely gorgeous video! I felt like I was there. Awhh, beloved peace and nature. I'm so sorry you fell so many times. I hope you recover soon. I hope too that you feel the love behind the concern for you when people tell you ... hat, poles, etc. Thx for letting me know where you were when I "asked." LOL. Happy trails! Oh, and more great videos please. :)) db&n

    • @carolellis2515
      @carolellis2515 7 лет назад +2

      It's a good thing that Robert has friends like you to look after him

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +3

      Thanks for watching! I am so glad that you enjoyed the video. It was a great hike and lovely day, despite the too-numerous falls. That ground was surprisingly fragile and loose. Lesson learned I suppose :)

    • @marqueemark5917
      @marqueemark5917 6 лет назад

      You're to damn close to three mile island yellow cake blvd . Good luck with that . Lots of fools out there. 50 mile fall out

  • @RonInAVan
    @RonInAVan 7 лет назад +3

    We are not as young as we use to be, even a little fall hurts me for days. Be careful out there by your self.👍🏻😎

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      I was definitely getting a little tired of falling by the time I got back onto solid ground! The ground going up to the caves wasn't bad, and then I thought I figured out a shortcut to where I was trying to go. Turns out it was not one of my better ideas. The ground was surprisingly loose. One of the falls was because a large rock broke as I stepped on it - on a slope, of course. I will need to be a bit more careful going off trail in the future. Fortunately I had a good phone signal, but it sure would have been embarrassing needing to call for someone to rescue me.

  • @cyndianne4321
    @cyndianne4321 7 лет назад +1

    Once again, I really enjoyed this video. Just watching it is so soothing. Really glad Debra has a close eye on you. Thanks for sightseeing adventure.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thank you. I am glad that you enjoyed the video. Debra does look out for me even though we are in different states right now! It is nice to have friends who care :)

  • @justinevirtue1755
    @justinevirtue1755 7 лет назад +1

    Robert, That was awesome. What can you say? Beautiful. Thank you!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you! I really enjoyed the hike (despite the bumps and scrapes) and am thrilled that so many others are enjoying seeing the views. It was just a wonderful day for a hike with sunny skies and temperatures in the 70s. The scenery was just amazing throughout the whole hike.

    • @justinevirtue1755
      @justinevirtue1755 7 лет назад

      *****
      There is a place in NM that looks a lot like this. I recall how much bigger it looks live. The wind and silence is hard to wrap the head around. Maybe an occasional plane in the distance. That was all.
      It's a different sort of feeling wish I could experience more of. Takes 4 wheel drive to get there though. :(

  • @alicebjorgtryggvason6833
    @alicebjorgtryggvason6833 7 лет назад +2

    Happy trails to you Robert, and all the best wishes. I like this video it is sooooo boutifoul thank you👍🌷🌷👌. se you lader with love from Denmark🎼☕🎼☕

  • @hikewithme59
    @hikewithme59 7 лет назад +1

    I loved that hike Robert!! Great views and so happy the wildflowers are starting to bloom!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you! It was really a great hike despite the bumps and scrapes. I was just caught off guard with how loose and fragile that volcanic scree was on the slopes. It looked a lot more solid. Lesson learned about volcanic scree! The wildflowers were just a treat. So pretty and, at least to me, surprising in the desert.

  • @mictheflash
    @mictheflash 7 лет назад

    Thank you for bringing us along with you on your adventure, it's really good to see all the lovely nature.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thanks for watching! I am glad that you enjoyed the video. It really was very scenic here.

  • @sunnypumkin
    @sunnypumkin 7 лет назад +1

    Oh My, this was an inspiring video. Beautiful! And throughly enjoyed the commentary!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you. I am glad that you enjoyed the video. It was really pretty scenery and a wonderful day for a hike.

  • @freetasman2342
    @freetasman2342 7 лет назад +1

    Thank you for sharing, IMHO this type of hiking are not to be done alone specially at our age, we do not bounce when we hit the ground, we just stay there glued to it.
    Take care

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Sadly, this is true. I definitely do not bounce back like I did when I was younger. I need to start being a bit more careful about some of my off-trail adventures. It was the sight of the caves up high that got me in trouble on this hike!

    • @freetasman2342
      @freetasman2342 7 лет назад

      I am guilty of that as well Robert, my brain tell me that I am 30 years old and my body say 71 !
      It is a constant argument between the two and the body win all the time. I just wonder why?

  • @nathankish9962
    @nathankish9962 3 года назад

    This was great to see. This is one of my favorite camping spots.

  • @cyndianne4321
    @cyndianne4321 7 лет назад +3

    Two words...trekking poles!😊

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      For sure! Last time I had to navigate a slope with loose rock (I usually try to avoid such adventures) I had a walking stick and it definitely saved me from a few nasty falls. I left my walking stick in the van though for some reason... It would have helped for sure with that mess. All of that because I wanted to check out the caves. LOL

    • @cyndianne4321
      @cyndianne4321 7 лет назад

      Robert Witham I tease you but I learned my lesson last summer when I slipped on loose rocks walking down an incline. One minute I was inching myself down-- the next, I was skidding down looking at sky. OUCH! I never had a chance! 😂

  • @cathywright6665
    @cathywright6665 7 лет назад

    Absolutely wonderful, Robert! Thank you so much! Great choice in music once again!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed the video.

  • @carolellis2515
    @carolellis2515 7 лет назад

    Great video. Thanks for taking us along. Be careful.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed the video. I have now learned the hard way about staying off volcanic scree slopes :)

  • @rosm6621
    @rosm6621 7 лет назад

    Ouch! Be careful. Thanks for sharing as it is beautiful.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Ya, that one hurt for a while! LOL It was a beautiful area though and fun to explore.

  • @LoveMtDulcimerMusic
    @LoveMtDulcimerMusic 7 лет назад +1

    Spectacular!

  • @robinengland5799
    @robinengland5799 7 лет назад

    Great video thanks for taking us along!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed it. I had a great time on the hike. The weather was perfect and the scenery was just amazing.

  • @deborahthompson9252
    @deborahthompson9252 7 лет назад

    Awesome hike, thanks for taking us along.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thanks for watching! It was a great hike. Glad you enjoyed the video.

  • @cindyc-thedogsandme.
    @cindyc-thedogsandme. 7 лет назад

    Fun hike. I love hiking. Beautiful walk. Yes be careful hiking alone. Thanks.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thanks for watching! I had a great time on the hike (even with the falls), and the scenery was amazing. It looks like I will need to avoid those volcanic scree slopes in the future. That stuff is impossible to walk on safely!

  • @joanmilano5302
    @joanmilano5302 7 лет назад

    I'm glad Debra is watching out for you :-) I hope you cleaned that wound well.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      I probably need someone to make sure I don't get into too much trouble. Debra has her work cut out for her on that project :) I cleaned the wound as best I could - including picking debris out - when I made it back to the van. So far it looks like it is healing well.

  • @lukngud9049
    @lukngud9049 7 лет назад

    Hey R.W! Thanks for Sharing Your Adventure! That is such an Unusual and Interesting Landscape! Cheers! Thumbs Up!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thanks for watching! The scenery here really is pretty, but unusual. I have enjoyed exploring the area.

  • @tinabeane
    @tinabeane 7 лет назад +1

    Oh wow what a beautiful place! Please be careful Robert, you are not a mountain goat :) That ground does look just a little too unstable. Sorry you got hurt, glad it was nothing too serious. Best to be safe, don't want to hurt yourself some how.
    Take care,
    Tina

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      The condition of the ground was quite a surprise. I do need to be a bit more careful about putting myself into situations like that in the future!

  • @julierawlins5984
    @julierawlins5984 7 лет назад

    What a great hike, absolutely beautiful views, thanks for taking us along. Sorry to see the bad scrape on your arm. Love the detail that you share and naming plants, the music choices are also very good.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you - and thanks for watching! I should have been more careful with my route choice since I was off the trail, but it didn't look that bad until I was already committed. I really enjoy nature so I guess that naturally makes its way into the videos.

  • @thebutterflyexpress7565
    @thebutterflyexpress7565 7 лет назад +2

    Thank you for the video about saddle Mountain! I am traveling to Ehrenberg or Lake Havasu I haven’t decided yet and I am in Phoenix now! I am going to look for this Saddlemountain BLM land! It’s probably literally right around the corner and I just don’t know because my Internet was not working yesterday when I hit the road. God bless your heart!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      It is not a well known area, but is just south of Tonopah about 10 or so miles. Lots of different BLM roads leading off toward the mountains from the paved road and not many people there right now. We were just there a few days ago and had the place nearly to ourselves. Enjoy!

    • @thebutterflyexpress7565
      @thebutterflyexpress7565 7 лет назад

      Robert Witham i'm there right now! I didn't go too far back because I have a class C. It's only 24 feet long but still it's my first time and I don't know about that road it looks like I might be able to tear something from the bottom of my rig. But I'm very happy where I am! Thanks again for the heads up!

  • @TS-mo4fv
    @TS-mo4fv 6 лет назад +2

    I used to live in Tonopah Arizona

  • @BelindaForgy
    @BelindaForgy 7 лет назад

    What a day of living, Robert!!! I had a great time :-)

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you! I am glad that you enjoyed the video. It was a great day for a hike, with perfect weather and beautiful scenery. And the wildflowers? Oh my! I definitely do not regret it, even though in the future I will avoid volcanic scree slopes :)

  • @lorismith3072
    @lorismith3072 7 лет назад +1

    Such a beautiful view but not worth getting injured: "I only fell 3 times and only bled once." 😂 After my slip on ice and shoulder replacement surgery, my hikes will be limited to safe and easy and let the young kids do the hard stuff. I'm glad you have people who care enough to make sure you're okay. The "hardships" of living out of a van/RV are minuscule compared to what the life gives you.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      I definitely learned a lesson about hiking onto a volcanic scree slope - but those caves looked so cool... LOL
      We really do get to have some incredible experiences and see wonderful things. It does make it worth any minor "hardships" in my opinion.

  • @janicehart5397
    @janicehart5397 7 лет назад

    Beautiful views and scenery. I was so scared you would fall and break a bone!!! Hiking alone is pleasant and peaceful but also scary if something major should happen to you. Please be careful, we need you around.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thank you :) It was really beautiful and the weather was perfect. I probably look like I am reckless after that video, but I really don't even remember the last time I fell while hiking. I was surprised by how fragile that volcanic ground was, especially on the slopes. One of the falls was because a rock broke in half when I stepped on it. Next time I will remember my walking stick and avoid nasty slopes :)

  • @AdventureswithJane
    @AdventureswithJane 4 года назад

    Rewatching some older videos. This is one of my favorite spots. I walked over to that road you found, last time I was there. Wondering how far it would be to walk all the way around. Looks doable. 😊 - Mark

  • @AdventureswithJane
    @AdventureswithJane 7 лет назад

    Really nice video of a perfect day! Thanks for sharing it. 😊 --Mark

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thank you! I had a great time (minus the falls) and really enjoyed the hike.

  • @ldsphotodude49
    @ldsphotodude49 7 лет назад

    Great job Robert. One of the best videos I've seen thanks. Yeah I agree trekking poles would definitely helped you stay upright. But this was a great adventure.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you. I actually have a walking stick that I usually bring on hikes, but for some reason left it in the van this time. Probably not the best idea. It would definitely have helped on those loose slopes. It was a great hike though even though I ended up a bit scraped and bruised :)

  • @ShannaTrenholm
    @ShannaTrenholm 7 лет назад

    Wow, so pretty! Desert flowers already in bloom--and hey--you know your CA poppy now :)

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      I am learning! It was a real treat to see so much color after spending the winter in a fairly gray landscape.

  • @joycebarnett5813
    @joycebarnett5813 7 лет назад

    This was a great video again. You be careful and don't break anything. It looks so green along the path where you walked. The poppies were so beautiful. When you did a close up on the poppy, it really came out spectacular and so detailed it is good enough to be in a frame. Your photos are so great they need to be hung somewhere for every one to see. Sorry that you got hurt with so many falls. Hope that you are not too bruised and uncomfortable. Thank you for the time you share with us as you go about your adventure. How is the adjustment to van dwelling. Are you all settled in by now? Happy trails and safe hiking. Joyce

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thank you! It was really an enjoyable hike despite the falls. I was surprised by how loose the ground was as it looked a lot more solid. All of that though because I wanted to explore the caves. I do need to be a bit more careful I guess so I don't end up really hurting myself. Fortunately, it was just bumps and scrapes on this hike. I don't even remember the last time I fell while I was hiking, but those slopes were just terrible. I was pretty happy with how the flower photos came out too. They are so pretty, and the desert around here is just exploding with them. Apparently they don't bloom like this every year, but are picky about the right combination of cool and wet weather in the spring. It has been a treat for sure.
      The van is coming along nicely. I just did some rearranging this morning after seeing something another guy did in his minivan. It freed up more space and made everything less cramped. I will have to make an updated video on the interior soon :)

  • @joycebarnett5813
    @joycebarnett5813 7 лет назад

    so now it is the 15th and was wondering how you are doing. I hope that from your falls that your body isn't too sore and painful. It is so wonderful the videos that you send. it is like being there with you is the iPhone doing ok. it is so grand how the desert can become so green after a rain. I was down there by Phonex area several years ago and how green it got in just a matter of hours. the desert truly is beautiful scenery. continue with the videos but please stay safe. happy trails and have a wonderful day/evening.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Joyce, thank for your concern! Yes, I am feeling better now. I was a little stiff for a couple of days, but pretty well recovered now other than the scrapes on my arm.

  • @sharpshooter1749
    @sharpshooter1749 7 лет назад +1

    Robert, Thanks for sharing! Be careful out there! Awesome videos!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thanks for watching! I will try not to hurt myself so seriously that I cannot at least make video out of the adventure :)

  • @GoFurtherBug
    @GoFurtherBug 7 лет назад

    great video, love the views.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      Thank you! The scenery was really amazing. I had a great time exploring and seeing the views.

  • @Northbound040
    @Northbound040 7 лет назад

    Good videos. Something calls to me and tells me to just travel when I'm older. Love it. I love camping but not in tents. Have a 5th wheel camper that if I could swing it and didn't have kids I would be living in that thing. Lol. Just happen to randomly come across your videos. So many places in northern AZ to go too. I live in north Phoenix. Kelly Canyon exit a little south of Flagstaff has great places to camp.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thanks for watching! I camped in tents for many years, but that time has hopefully passed for good. I find camping in a vehicle or trailer to be much more comfortable these days! I waited until my kids were grown to get on the road full time, but now the grandkids play a large role in my annual route.
      I will keep Kelly Canyon in mind for the fall. I spent a fair bit of time in the Flagstaff area this past year, but have not been there yet. Actually, I have been enjoying Arizona so much that were it not for grandkids in Wyoming I would almost certainly just make Arizona my home base.

  • @YellowCatBooks
    @YellowCatBooks 7 лет назад

    I was just thinking about how good-natured you were about falling when you said it's hard to be in a bad mood when you're out like that. Too true. Volcanic scree is the worst - you need good boots with aggressive soles and even a pole. Careful out there, buddy. Nice video and gave me a better appreciation for the AZ mountains.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thank you. The falls definitely hurt, but fortunately I avoided any real injuries. It was just so beautiful that it would have been hard to not be happy still. That was my first experience with volcanic scree, but I will definitely be more cautious of it in the future. That stuff was terrible! One of the falls was actually because a rock broke in half when I stepped on it - on a slope of course. That one was a real surprise. I usually do bring a hiking stick, but for some reason left it in the van... Still, it was a fun hike even with the bruises and scrapes.

  • @JudyZimShadHomesteader
    @JudyZimShadHomesteader 7 лет назад

    Ahhhh green'ery I always wondered how Lucy found so many rocks during the cross country trip with the movie the Really Long Trailer All y'alls videos have explained her fondness of all of them

    • @JudyZimShadHomesteader
      @JudyZimShadHomesteader 7 лет назад +1

      Yes a walkin stick or three might of been a idea take a helmet and elbow and arm pads wait knee and butt pad for sure Don't phones follow a path to retrace it?

    • @lauraliekarels4059
      @lauraliekarels4059 7 лет назад

      Sounds like how I dressed when I tried to Rollerblade at 50 yrs. old. All the neighbors/kids sat up on the hill and laughed at me. I wore winter gloves, wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads and a small pillow strapped to my butt and over everything a large down filled jacket, In 80* weather. lol. Came out of it w/o a scratch.

    • @JudyZimShadHomesteader
      @JudyZimShadHomesteader 7 лет назад

      U have more nerve then I for sure was it fun or frightening or exhilarating

    • @lauraliekarels4059
      @lauraliekarels4059 7 лет назад

      Was fun till the kids came down off the hill to help me and played crack the whip and shot me down the street. Then was exhilarating AND frightening, lol

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      I do have a walking stick that I sometimes bring, but for some unknown reason left it in the van for this hike. It would definitely have been a big help. I made the mistake of climbing up to check out the caves and then thinking I saw a shortcut around to where I was trying to go. Oops!

  • @rajcheche1486
    @rajcheche1486 7 лет назад

    U did pretty good there, don't forget poles and hat next time. Looks like such a great day

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      I usually do hike with a walking stick, but for some reason left it in the van for that hike. No idea why. It did end up pretty warm and sunny that day, but it started off cool with some cloud cover. The sun was pretty intense once the clouds cleared though!

  • @sharpshooter1749
    @sharpshooter1749 7 лет назад

    Are there any insects that you have to be concerned about in the desert or other areas of your travel and camping throughout the year? We in the Midwest have Wood ticks and mosquitos to deal with in the spring and summer time. Mosquitos are just itchy pests but Wood ticks are more dangerous as they can spread lime disease. I had to peel of 16 wood ticks after one walk in a grassy field last spring. Can you share your thoughts on insect pests vs. humans while boondocking in the western US in the different seasons and if a problem how you deal with it in an upcoming video? Thanks for your videos! I look forward to seeing them!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Thanks for the idea. That is really an excellent topic. I will cue that up and see what I can do.

  • @pamelahodges2998
    @pamelahodges2998 7 лет назад

    would those mountains in the back ground be the white tank mountains. there is suppose to be a waterfall up there. it's quite a hike though. I use to live just west of the white tank mountains. there is also a library and park up there.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      I'm not sure about the distant mountains. A nice waterfall would be worth a hike though! I will keep that in mind next time I am in that area. Definitely planning to camp there again when I make it back to Arizona.

  • @christinesutton6507
    @christinesutton6507 7 лет назад

    Awesome video! Where is your hat by the way? Your dilemma up there made me start thinking about a device to get down the mountain...like a giant padded sled - lol!

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      A giant, padded sled would have been ideal! I was sort of stuck in a bad spot by the time I realized how bad the ground condition really was. All of that because I wanted to check out some caves... I actually brought a hat with me for when the clouds burned off, but managed to forget to take it out of the bag!

  • @scattervanshine4978
    @scattervanshine4978 7 лет назад +1

    You'll be sore tomorrow but glad you made it back! Hope you have anti-biotic cream for your cut. Please be careful and always use a walking stick🙂

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +2

      I was definitely feeling that afterward - and continue to feel it. LOL I had quite a time cleaning up my arm. It was in a hard position to really see well. I ended up digging debris out of it when I made it back to the van. Ugh. I need to be more careful about my off-trail routes in the future!

  • @sarahjackson6714
    @sarahjackson6714 7 лет назад

    Gosh Robert why would you take chances like that, you could've fell and rolled down those rocks and had no help ,, and you're so far away from your van. I did enjoy the video

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      Yeah, that was something of a mistake on my part. Once I figured out how loose the ground was it was either backward or forward over loose rock. In hindsight, I should probably have gone backward! Lesson learned I guess. The scenery was great though :)

  • @alicebjorgtryggvason6833
    @alicebjorgtryggvason6833 7 лет назад

    Pleac bee cerfoul ,it hurts to fooll.i hope you did not hurt your selv to bad. tak care.🎼☕🎼☕🎼

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      I am recovering pretty well :) Thank you! Just bumps and scrapes, but I was really more surprised than anything. I do not remember the last time I fell while hiking. The ground was really loose though and just kept crumbling as I was walking.

    • @alicebjorgtryggvason6833
      @alicebjorgtryggvason6833 7 лет назад

      Pleac be cerfoul, a stikk our somthong ,stook somthing to help in so onstabel ground,would be helpfoul , dont you think that would be good. ? Thank you for your vidios, i am seing them a gan and a gan i like i am soo taken bay the natur. I loved the littel yellow flour the outher day sooo pritty. Sorry a bout my spelling i am Dvslexic ,. Tak car Robert☕🎼👍👌🎼🎼🎼

  • @lyndamichler407
    @lyndamichler407 7 лет назад +1

    Oh my gosh Robert you bring out the mommy in me. You make me want to smack you for scaring me and hug you because you are safe. Even though my brain kept telling me that you made it down ok, or there would not be a video, I was on the edge of my seat. This time you gave us the beauty and an adventure......BE CAREFUL! And thank you.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад +1

      That hike turned out to be a lot more adventure than I anticipated! I will definitely steer clear of volcanic scree slopes in the future. LOL

    • @lyndamichler407
      @lyndamichler407 7 лет назад

      Good that makes this old lady rest easier. LOL You kids I watch regular are feeling like extended family.

  • @sylviajones3249
    @sylviajones3249 7 лет назад

    Don't let the sheep butt you off.

    • @RobertWitham
      @RobertWitham  7 лет назад

      I didn't even think of that! LOL That would have turned a challenging hike into a bad day, I think

  • @alicebjorgtryggvason6833
    @alicebjorgtryggvason6833 7 лет назад +1

    Pleac bee cerfoul ,it hurts to fooll.i hope you did not hurt your selv to bad. tak care.🎼☕🎼☕🎼