gooly
New member
Wow...thank god for trekking poles, knee replacement surgeries and ice cream, because i needed all three to do this a$$ whomper!
Mookie and myself left a quiet (at that time) Barnes @ 5 am and drove over to the Carter-Moriah Trail in Gorham. We geared up and started our journey in the dark under overcast skies with a nice breeze and fairly mild temps. We wasted no time and began trooping @ 5:30. Shortly after our assault of the steady uphill grade, we were startled by a snort/grunt/growl and then a fairly heavy thrashing through the forest all within maybe 20-30 feet ahead of us. Perhaps a bear? We then decided to carry on bit louder conversation so as to not be startled again.
The climb up to Moriah was long and seemed endless but we made it just after 7:30. i dropped my pack to hit the peak and found a couple sleeping just off the trail(sorry if i woke you guys). Clouds consumed the top so there was no view to be had...a quick snack to refuel and we were off.
We trucked down Moriah to Imp in no time, passing 3 or 4 thru hikers and several others, pretty uneventful really. We had a few spotty views here and there. The real fun was the climb up North Carter, wasn't expecting that one! Thanks for the tip UFC!! We took a very deserved snack and water rest at the North Carter Trail junction(6 or 7 people on the peak)...almost 10 am. Our goal was to make it to the Carter Notch Hut by 1pm...
With a ways to go and a time quota to fill, we put our heads down and scampered ahead. I had opted to use my poles now. My knees were beginning to ache and this seemed to reduce the strain. The sun began to show itself more and it reflected on the temps...it's a really nice day. Up and over Middle Carter and on to South Carter and a quick snack at Zeta Pass. I thoroughly enjoyed the climb up the fairly steep grade of Mt Hight, this was my favorite of the day. The view had been the best of the day as well... and the sun was out. We admired briefly and sped off to tackle Carter Dome, which we reached in no time. Time check...11:45am.
The hellacious climb down Carter Dome was tough on my knees and on one of Mookie's poles. We had passed a couple of women on the Dome and they said we had some fun ahead of us...they weren't joking. The view was intense as i gawked out into Carter Notch...it is a beautiful place. We finally made it to the hut for lunch, foot repairs and water @ precisely 1 pm.
Our 20 minute break at the hut made me realize how tired i had become but with the Wilcats remaining we pushed on. The climb up to Wildcat Mtn nearly blew the wind out of my sails. Sore knees and a full belly made this part of the journey my least favorite. Once on the ridge, i was feeling better but our pace had definitely slowed. At this point i think i was in a "i'm ready to be out of here" mode until we reached the observation deck. A third wind (or was it the fourth?) came over me to start the long and steep descent back to my car parked at the Glen Ellis lot. Thoughts of ice cream were the source of motivation through out the day, and now it would be a reality soon. My knees were hating me by the time we crossed 16 and got to my car at 4:30 pm. Time for ice cream and a three hour drive home. What a kick-a$$ day!!!
Mookie and myself left a quiet (at that time) Barnes @ 5 am and drove over to the Carter-Moriah Trail in Gorham. We geared up and started our journey in the dark under overcast skies with a nice breeze and fairly mild temps. We wasted no time and began trooping @ 5:30. Shortly after our assault of the steady uphill grade, we were startled by a snort/grunt/growl and then a fairly heavy thrashing through the forest all within maybe 20-30 feet ahead of us. Perhaps a bear? We then decided to carry on bit louder conversation so as to not be startled again.
The climb up to Moriah was long and seemed endless but we made it just after 7:30. i dropped my pack to hit the peak and found a couple sleeping just off the trail(sorry if i woke you guys). Clouds consumed the top so there was no view to be had...a quick snack to refuel and we were off.
We trucked down Moriah to Imp in no time, passing 3 or 4 thru hikers and several others, pretty uneventful really. We had a few spotty views here and there. The real fun was the climb up North Carter, wasn't expecting that one! Thanks for the tip UFC!! We took a very deserved snack and water rest at the North Carter Trail junction(6 or 7 people on the peak)...almost 10 am. Our goal was to make it to the Carter Notch Hut by 1pm...
With a ways to go and a time quota to fill, we put our heads down and scampered ahead. I had opted to use my poles now. My knees were beginning to ache and this seemed to reduce the strain. The sun began to show itself more and it reflected on the temps...it's a really nice day. Up and over Middle Carter and on to South Carter and a quick snack at Zeta Pass. I thoroughly enjoyed the climb up the fairly steep grade of Mt Hight, this was my favorite of the day. The view had been the best of the day as well... and the sun was out. We admired briefly and sped off to tackle Carter Dome, which we reached in no time. Time check...11:45am.
The hellacious climb down Carter Dome was tough on my knees and on one of Mookie's poles. We had passed a couple of women on the Dome and they said we had some fun ahead of us...they weren't joking. The view was intense as i gawked out into Carter Notch...it is a beautiful place. We finally made it to the hut for lunch, foot repairs and water @ precisely 1 pm.
Our 20 minute break at the hut made me realize how tired i had become but with the Wilcats remaining we pushed on. The climb up to Wildcat Mtn nearly blew the wind out of my sails. Sore knees and a full belly made this part of the journey my least favorite. Once on the ridge, i was feeling better but our pace had definitely slowed. At this point i think i was in a "i'm ready to be out of here" mode until we reached the observation deck. A third wind (or was it the fourth?) came over me to start the long and steep descent back to my car parked at the Glen Ellis lot. Thoughts of ice cream were the source of motivation through out the day, and now it would be a reality soon. My knees were hating me by the time we crossed 16 and got to my car at 4:30 pm. Time for ice cream and a three hour drive home. What a kick-a$$ day!!!
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