In the winter of 1978 My friend Ben Townsend was caretaker at Carter Notch. I was working in Jackson and visited him on my days off. It was a wonderful winter, he was going to be hutmaster at Lakes and I went out west to climb. He asked me to be on the croo and I chose a career. Ben died in a fall later in the spring, I never got to see him again. It's not the decisions in life that I regret it's the ones I didn't make that bother me. Enjoy your winter, it will be a wonderful experience.

"I have years to do that...this opportunity ,though, probably won't come around again in my lifetime". Well said. I 'wasted' my twenties hiking the AT, working for the AMC, and volunteering MSR. I started a career in my 30's and am about to retire. it went just fine. Not only do I not regret those decisions. I cherish those memories.

I misspent a lot of my youth (lol) caretaking hunting and fishing lodges in the remote reaches of the Alaska Range along with spending some winters on remote islands in SE Alaska, something I still do, but from my 42' sailboat. At age 17, the winter of 68-69, myself and my partner (who was 18 then) got marooned w/o food because of the bays icing in heavy that winter, our scheduled plane couldn't land, and we were abandoned to our fate. My partner and I ended up eating a 50 lb bag of Gravy Train dog food after running out of food because of the extra six weeks we were marooned. His little Brittany spaniel was lucky the ice went out when it did. (I only say that half-jokingly.) One of the highlights of my solo caretaking forays was watching the thermometer go from -50 F to +50 in the span of 6 hours when a chinook wind/weather system displaced the high pressure that had been dominating at Chelatna Lake. I had banked the fire and snoozed out only to be awakened sweating like I was in a sauna. Throwing open the door and expecting a blast of cold air, hell, it was near tropical! A 100 degree temperature change in 6 hours. Good to see you out and about seeking the kind of adventure only solitude can provide, young lady. A rarity it is in these times. You are one of the fortunate few!

Your video was wonderful to watch. I was a caretaker at Barr Camp on Pikes Peak for two years here in Colorado from 2000 to 2002 and your video brought back so many good memories. I left a good job in software development for the opportunity, and it was well worth it. We had gas lights just as you do but then went to solar. We also had to get our water from a stream and carry it in. During the winter we had to break thru the ice over the stream every day. The summers were crazy with visitors, hundreds almost every day. Winter was never busy but never totally quite either. Enjoy you time at your cabin, you will always cherish the memories.

You’re doing so great, Abby! And you’re right, you might not get another experience like this again. You are fueling your passion. Never stop loving, never stop learning.

Abby, It is just so super and amazing that you are living and working in paradise! You are so smart and fortunate to be taking advantage of such an opportunity. Please post more videos of your work, play and your interactions with your visitors to Gray Knob Hut. Have fun, stay warm, stay safe and enjoy all the snow that is coming your way this winter. Looking forward to your next video adventure. Thanks for sharing with us!

In addition to your cooking skills, I think you are a pretty darn good videographer! Thanks for sharing these tidbits of your day!

Really enjoyed the video. I was curious about winter caretaking up there. In 2022 I was a backcountry caretaker in the Whites and this year the AT ridgerunner for Great Smoky Mountains NP. Loved both experiences. Before that I was an attorney for almost 35 years. It’s cool you are doing this while you are younger!

Thanks for sharing your experience. Made my first visit to Gray Knob this past January, and absolutely loved it. The assistance and hospitality of the caretakers were a big part of that. Best wishes for a great season.

I hope you will post an update every week. This is awesome! Good on ya for living your best life. I’m proud of you.

I am almost 80 now and have not been up to King ravine in a long time. But I remember staying in Craig camp once. And I remember almost being eaten alive by mice. As soon as you lay down a hundred or so were just start running all over the top of you. It was a kitty cat's Paradise!

Fresh air makes one tired. Thanx for sharing. Enjoy Your Journey ... 💚

"You can only find real peace where your heart is happy." Michael Hemp - Thank you for your wonderful video 🙏💖 🙏

My name is John Rosa in 1988 I climbed the backside of Wildcat to the area called Cotter Notch Hut I am very proud of what you're doing it is definitely a chance in a lifetime

Great video! Love the Presidential range and the White Mtns. Looks like a dream job! Thank you for taking care of those beautiful huts.

That was very relaxing to watch, I like the peacefulness, the views, the solitude. Thanks so much for showing us!

Great video! Thanks for sharing. 😊 I was a mountain guide for 6 years in Alaska and recently relocated to New Hampshire to live with my family. I can totally relate to taking the paths less traveled in life. Can’t wait to check out the white mountains, so beautiful.

Coming from a guy who has never been very good at cooking, I decided to buy some land way off the grid a few years ago. Something I enjoy doing everyday is making a loaf of bread. I’ll never buy another loaf from the store for as long as I live.. from cinnamon swirl to focaccia and pizza crust. What seemed like a daunting task when I lived near a grocery store has turned into a labor of love. Highly recommend buying a sac of flour, yeast, and my secret ingredient has been gluten powder.. have fun out there and be safe

Spent a nite at the perch when I climbed Adams and gotta say it was beautiful! Sadly when we summited the next day we were in the clouds and there was no view. Thank you for sharing the view from the summit, it made my day! Peace, MD

Great video. I have some great memories of stays at Grey Knob and Crag. I want to bring my young boys up there as soon as they get strong enough, hopefully that is soon as I ain't getting any younger. Be careful up there Abby.

Just discovered this video. Seems like such an interesting job and has never really knew this was something you could do. I may try and do this in the near future! Thanks for sharing and hope you enjoyed your winter up there.

Best of luck for your stint as winter caretaker Abby. I'm a old guy that has skied / hiked / climbed in your RMC zone over many years. Have health issues that prevent me from venturing out these days. I have really enjoyed finding your KZfaq channel & following your endeavors! Documenting one's activities is quite a commitment (and art).....I encourage you to keep producing your fantastic content! I want you to know that has a impact in a great many ways. Peace & Calm to you

New subscriber here, As long as you are doing what makes you smile and what you enjoy doing that is really the most we can ask for out of this life. Beautiful place Indeed.

Love this video! Really shows what it is like to be a caretaker.

In 30 years you'll see that you totally made the right choice. You'll be sitting around a camp fire or something like that, with a bunch of friends (all soon to be turning 60), and you'll be the one telling the best stories, the most interesting stories. Everyone will ask you to tell more. No one is going to want to tell stories about how back in 2023 they had the second best widget sales numbers for the Northwest Ohio region and it won them a $100 Sizzler gift card. Life it too short not to do really cool stuff when you're in peak physical condition to do all those cool things. This video was awesome.

I dig your style ! I can go in depth but going back to live a simple life and beautiful surroundings is such a dream ! I’m stuck in corporate hell in a big city….no bueno

Good luck, this looks like a wonderful adventure that you'll happily remember in your old age.

What a sweet gig! I stayed in Gray Knob this past January, and Crag Camp this October. Always a wonderful experience in the RMC huts. Winter is a whole other experience up in the White Mountains. What an amazing opportunity to live up there. Enjoy your stay!

My first ever night in gray knob was a Friday night on a MLK weekend. It was 40 below windchill and there wasn't a spare square inch upstairs and downstairs that night. We were planning to do Adam's the next day but myself and one other buddy changed the course of the group and we hiked our asses back down the mountain that Saturday. It was probably 2010 roughly. Anyway.... great to see this cabin again. Good luck and thank you for sharing. NQU

new subscriber. seventy one year old retired army (cold war) Veteran. living alone in east Davenport IOWA with a nine year old (100 pound) PURE WHITE German shepherd. Her name is the German word for seven,as she is the seventh dog in my lifetime (so far)

So glad I found this. I grew up visiting the Whites and live in NH now. Looking forward to more of your adventures.

I think that sounds really cool, but it would scare me to give out my location on the Internet.

This is such a cool discovery. My family has a cabin in Randolph very close to the Castle trail on Rt 2. I've spent many hours o those paths though at 63 with knee issues my 4000 ft days are probably past. I still love the lower paths of the RMC though and can still manage something like the Look Out. It is so good to see the Gray Knob hut though🙂

I love that hut and I have stayed there many times. The sunsets from the lookout near the hut is amazing. Thanks for your efforts.

4:50...those glasses are SAVAGE!!!!!

Great vlog, Abby. You had a great day to summit and the undercast in the next clip was amazing. Keep up the good work and please be careful. And Happy Holidays!

Beautiful scenery, very peaceful. I'm somewhat jealous !! Take care Abby.

This popped up in my youtube suggestions. I follow some car campers, some regular campers and other things. The first 10 seconds got my attention. I know all about remote locations in the winter, worked at one and then there was 3 feet of snow. We had to figure it out as the rations were enough but things like soda were plentiful, beer scarce. The cola gone we had Mountain Dew. To this day, 35 years later I will not drink it. Back to your video, I liked the way you showed us around, I am sure there will be adventures. Later in the week I will look at your other videos, interesting collection

I hiked a lot out of Appalachia years ago and spent time in both RMC huts as well as all but one of the AMC. The Presidentials are my favorite hikes equalled only by Kahtadin itself. Enjoy your stay.

You are very inspiring.

I’ve been to Grey Knob in January. Snowshoed up from Lowe’s Store. It gets cold up there but it was fun and we even glissade on the way back down. That was years ago. What a blast! Have fun up there!

Love the Randolph mountain huts! My sons and I have stayed over summer and winter… lean to also Wonderful views… the best Ty!

Oh, and thanks for sharing. Happy trails Abby.

👍 it was said that we can only join the dots looking back. Wishing you glittering stars

Awesome video, gotta love market basket!

Awesome video! Thanks for sharing!!

So pretty! My son(who lives in Cambridge) just hiked 20 miles in the White Mountains in October-along with his dog. He loves it there.

Good for you! Here's to a happy life!!

This is awesome! keep 'em coming

Awesome. I spent a night or two between there and the perch. I seen northern lights at crag camp. Its awesome.

Beautiful situation!

I love your videos so much this was magic 💓

Ahh. Lucky you. I remember the Whites well. I was the caretaker at Guyot in 1983.

What a gift to live there for the winter, A little surprised you don't cook on the wood stove. It is a lot of fun and frugal as it is already hot.

Wow! Really enjoyed this video!

There's a Mt Adams in the NW too. A Volcano. It's beautiful there too. Must be a Mt Adams thing... lol. Love the vid.

Very cool! I climbed Mt Adams a few years ago via King Ravine and didnt realize this hut existed

You are very fortunate to do this. I have stayed at Gray Knob, Crag Camp, and the Log Cabin probably close to 100 times in the 70s and 80s. We spent quite a lot of time hiking the mountains in the area but always returned to Mount Adams at the end of the day. I have hiked by my self or with several others there. The Quay was always the best spot to look out towards Lowe's. On my last trip up there I was able to see our entries in some of the log books in the cabin. Is the cave in the back still used as a freezer?

Thanks for sharing that. So cool

After several years of carrying water a similar distance with similar looking containers (while working a lookout) I finally got some AquaBricks which I found to be much more comfortable to carry and hike with 2 hands. I still prefer this method over carrying water on the back.

I think this is bad ass young lady! Way to rock it!

Looks like an awesome opportunity in life!

Wow, very interesting. Thank you for sharing.

what a cool job! I wish that I had known about these opportunities when I was younger.

I often wonder how someone could be so lucky as to find a job that is so perfect. I pray for your good health.

Love your video!❤

Cool. This is why I decided to join the military at 28, after I'd already earned two degrees. I wanted to live a "life less normal, and I knew if I didn't do it then, when I was still young and fit, I'd regret it for the rest of my life. I was an anti-poverty advocate for a few years out of university and that made me very aware of how privileged I was, and I wanted to give back. I served for a decade and, yes, it messed up my "career track," but I've done things "normal" people wish they'd done but didn't. You're living a great life on your terms. I'd have loved to have had a girlfriend like you if I could be 28 again. 🙂

Sounds like an ideal job (except for the cold). Enjoy your life and continue to be safe

Awesome journey! Enjoy

Seems like an awesome experience! Spicy stir fry is always great.

I appreciated the video. Were it me I would have a much more protein based larder. Carrots and Broccoli just don't give that satisfying I warm and toasty that a big plate of beef stew or chili mac does. I would air lift it in and make sure if I got snowed in I would not be eating rabbit food although the rabbit would be a nice addition to the frying pan. Sorry Vegans but winter requires tons of carbs and proteins.

You GO Girl!!!!!

Awesome. I recommend landing a mountain man with a homestead. I've been doing that job for 16 years in Alaska and the kids are old enough to where I just started working outside the home. So yes, you're right there's plenty of time for a career. It's the clock ticking on landing the dude that is the problem for girls.

Thanks for sharing. im a bennett too.

So cool. You made the right decision to do this.

Can't help but be envious of that kind of solitude in that beautiful of a place. Only wish the scenery didn't include the chemical-cloud laden skies.

Wow so Beautiful up there. Just live your best life , No regrets

I would love that job.nice video

Nice! would love to visit and do a video there sometime

I think we as a society make the mistake of chasing after money, careers, etc., when we should be chasing after the things and experiences that fulfill us. It looks like this job is that kind of fulfillment for you :) lovely video, thanks for sharing

Great mindset! You will have no regrets.

Love the undercast, there was a fair amount of it to see from Moriah last Saturday. Much more interesting than Bluebird skies.

Abby no longer works at the cabin but the video which 500 thousand people have watched remains. The little known cabin was a last place left in the White Mountains that you didn't need a reservation but now it will be overcrowded and ruined. Abby wasn't hired to ruined the cabin but she has. If you are concerned about what she has done contact the Randolph Mountain Club and voice your concerns so that they will no hire other professional KZfaqrs that can make thousands of dollars at the expense of the cabin. Contact them by email or phone. Also post here to ask Abby to delete the Video to save the cabin. Doubt you would as this is how she makes money. One hundred year old small cabin open to the public has been ruined by a KZfaqr/ Instagram poster. Bet the other caretakers and RMC members just love what she has done.

I hope you will be making more videos!!

First time watching one of your videos. Saw the title and thought it would cool to see what a caretaker at a remote hut does. But all I saw was you taking care of yourself: Eating, hiking, adventuring, reading. Fine, I get it. But what do you do there to care for the place? And how about some basic info, such as who owns the hut, where is it? Who uses the hut? What supplies do you bring to restock the hut? I think you missed the mark here.

You have good knife skills !

This might be a stupid question, but why do you have to hike to get your water? What I mean is, why not just melt and filter the snow around the cabin?

Thanks for the video, I loved it. How do you wash your dishes? I have a broken wrist, it will be a bit before I can hike up in the Whites again, so I'm psyched to live vicariously through you

Beautiful video. D🤙😎🇺🇸

I'd like to hear how you got into trail running. How did you learn the nutrition side of it? You're legs look strong af

Van or no van, you are living what "vanlife" represents still. That's adventure, new things, nature, tossing aside the rat race and consumerism. Excited to follow your story!

Is this one of the huts along the AT? If it is, I'll see you sometime this year! Never regret making the decision to do this. It may be hard at times, but totally worth the experience.

Sounds like a perfect job .

Stunning love NH

Use your back pack to carry the water jugs and treking poles while getting water. Better balance and safer with poles to aid on the ice. Have a great adventure and enjoy the quiet.

Some swingers on ya girl, well done.

you're living my dream life!! how did you get this job?

Thanks. ✌🏻👊🏼

Please explain why you are taking care of this hut. Who comes there? What are your responsibilities? Why did you become interested in doing this?

Was the red jacket the warmest one you brought???