dr_wu002
Well-known member
My last (and only) time on Carrigan was May of 2004 and it was clear and cool and blustery and green green green! This time it was COLD and Blustery and EVEN MORE CLEAR and brown and white -- in other words, spectacular.
I won't bore you with trip details, my only comment that didn't appear in the trail conditions section is that the final approach to Signal Ridge is completely tortureous with about 95 switchbacks until you final reach the ridge. Ugh! Otherwise this was a long & tiring but very rewarding trip. Despite the windy and cold conditions I even managed to spend about 45 minutes on the summit observation tower! With all those views though, how could you not.
So instead of a trip report I'll leave you with some brief highlights and then some pictures. First off, if you haven't visited Carrigan in the Winter, please do. The views in all directions are spectacular. And the views from Signal Ridge, though not 360degree, are arguably better in some regards. You get a excellent view right into Carrigan Notch and Mt. Lowell with it's deep scars. You get a head-on view of Mt. Washington (with Webster Cliff's featured very prominently). And so on.
The real treat though is the view to Mt. Hancock. When we talk about Hancock, most of us think of North and South peak but in reality, Hancock is huge and twisted and really mysterious looking. Looking at it from Signal Ridge makes me want to explore all the parts of Hancock -- not just the two peaks on the NH48 list.
Finally, perhaps less impressive but more thrilling were views of The Captain -- the little cliff-faced nubble nestled in the ridge between Carrigan and Hancock. You can't see it from The Carrigan summit (or N/S Hancock) but you get a good view of it from Signal Ridge (incidentally, one of the only views of The Captain in the White Mountains). It's just a little, tiny rock hiding between two gigantic mountains. And I can't wait to visit it -- hopefully soon. Any takers for a Trip to The Captain!? Look for pictures of the Captain on page 2 of the second link below.
Carrigan Pictures 1
Carrigan Pictures 2
Saw only 1 person all day -- who, by the way, finished his NH48 in Winter. Congratulations!
-Dr. Wu
I won't bore you with trip details, my only comment that didn't appear in the trail conditions section is that the final approach to Signal Ridge is completely tortureous with about 95 switchbacks until you final reach the ridge. Ugh! Otherwise this was a long & tiring but very rewarding trip. Despite the windy and cold conditions I even managed to spend about 45 minutes on the summit observation tower! With all those views though, how could you not.
So instead of a trip report I'll leave you with some brief highlights and then some pictures. First off, if you haven't visited Carrigan in the Winter, please do. The views in all directions are spectacular. And the views from Signal Ridge, though not 360degree, are arguably better in some regards. You get a excellent view right into Carrigan Notch and Mt. Lowell with it's deep scars. You get a head-on view of Mt. Washington (with Webster Cliff's featured very prominently). And so on.
The real treat though is the view to Mt. Hancock. When we talk about Hancock, most of us think of North and South peak but in reality, Hancock is huge and twisted and really mysterious looking. Looking at it from Signal Ridge makes me want to explore all the parts of Hancock -- not just the two peaks on the NH48 list.
Finally, perhaps less impressive but more thrilling were views of The Captain -- the little cliff-faced nubble nestled in the ridge between Carrigan and Hancock. You can't see it from The Carrigan summit (or N/S Hancock) but you get a good view of it from Signal Ridge (incidentally, one of the only views of The Captain in the White Mountains). It's just a little, tiny rock hiding between two gigantic mountains. And I can't wait to visit it -- hopefully soon. Any takers for a Trip to The Captain!? Look for pictures of the Captain on page 2 of the second link below.
Carrigan Pictures 1
Carrigan Pictures 2
Saw only 1 person all day -- who, by the way, finished his NH48 in Winter. Congratulations!
-Dr. Wu
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