Each fall, I make an annual pilgrimage to Acadia National Park, just a six-hour drive from my home when I was living in Connecticut. It was the only national park in New England, and with its stunning foliage, it was the perfect destination for leaf peeping during peak color season. 

One year, while planning my trip to Acadia, I decided to make a detour through New Hampshire to hike one of the most iconic and breathtaking trails in the White Mountains: the Franconia Ridge Trail. 

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From the moment I set foot on the ridge, I was captivated by the alpine views and the sweeping 360-degree panoramas that made me feel as if I were standing on top of the world.

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I didn’t make it back to New Hampshire until the following summer when my gym organized an annual hike to summit Mount Washington. Climbing the highest peak in the Northeast was a true test of endurance. As I gazed at the stunning beauty of the White Mountains, I knew I couldn’t wait a whole year to return. So, my sister and I, along with a friend from a seasoned hiking family, decided to take matters into our own hands and plan a backpacking trip. 

This wasn’t going to be a casual stroll in the woods—this was a full-on wilderness adventure. 

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I was about to embark on it with no camping experience, carrying everything I needed for the first time. Three days, two nights, 41 miles of rugged terrain, 11,612 feet of elevation gain, and the challenge of summiting 11 peaks.

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Before setting out on this adventure, I knew preparation was key. I’d heard enough stories of accidents in the wilderness to understand how crucial it was to be ready for anything. So, I spent hours researching and consulted with my friend’s dad, a seasoned expert in backpacking. 

One piece of advice he shared really stuck with me: the importance of staying hydrated. 

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He told me that whenever he passed a stream, he'd simply dip his mug into the water and drink straight from it. But he also pointed out that, due to pollution and contamination, water can no longer be safely consumed directly from streams. As a result, we’d need a reliable filtration system to ensure our water was safe to drink.

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That's when he recommended the Sawyer Squeeze Water Filter, which he said was perfect for hiking and camping, offering a reliable way to access clean water in the backcountry. 

The Squeeze Filter is highly effective, removing 99.99999% of bacteria and filtering out 100% of microplastics. 

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Its ease of use made it an obvious choice—simply fill the reusable pouch from any water source, attach the filter, and either drink directly from it or squeeze the filtered water into a bottle.

Using the Sawyer Squeeze for the first time was surprisingly easy. After filling the pouch with water from a clear stream, I screwed the filter on and started squeezing. The process was quick, and I was impressed by how smoothly it worked. 

When I took my first sip, the water tasted clean and refreshing—no weird aftertaste or chemical flavor. 

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It felt pretty amazing to be drinking fresh, filtered water right from the stream, and I quickly realized how reliable the Sawyer Filter would be for staying hydrated on the trail.

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And in terms of hiking, as you might imagine, I was instantly hooked. It turns out the 11 peaks we’d summited were part of New Hampshire’s famed 48 4,000-footers. And with Mount Washington already under my belt, I was a quarter of the way there!

That realization sparked a new goal—one I was determined to crush: completing all 48 within the year.

Unfortunately, my body had other plans. At the end of December, I re-tore my ACL and required surgery in January. With 30 peaks already under my belt after seven months of hiking in New Hampshire, and only 18 more to go in the next five months, I was crushed by the setback.

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After five months of recovery, I was finally able to hit the trails again, setting a new goal to summit all 48 peaks before my birthday in October. On September 29th, I reached the top of my final peak, completing the New Hampshire 4,000-footers in just 15 months. And through it all, my trusty Sawyer filter was by my side on every hike.

Next on the list: tackling all of Colorado’s 14,000-footers. My fiancé and I just moved here in September, and we’ve already bagged four peaks—each one with our trusty Sawyers in hand!

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