Pete Hogan
New member
What a difference a day makes! Or in this case a week. The heat, oppressive humidity and daily thunderstorms with torrential downpours during week of July 20 – 26 prompted a reverent and grateful sigh of relief…for scheduling this year’s hiking trip to the White Mountains during the previous week, July 16 –19! Recalling the planning stages in late March, the dates selected for this outing were based entirely upon the trusted meteorological foresight of the Farmer’s Almanac! The description “sunny and warm” plus the cosmic influence of a full moon during mid-July was enough to book reservations at Joe Dodge Lodge during that time period. The three-consecutive weeknight package for AMC members was excellent so room and board for a hiking team of five was secured on April 2, 2008.
This year’s group consisted of myself; long-time hiking partner and ADK 46er Barb B.; former group member and 46er Barb N.; Dan H., a marathon runner and recent ADK High Peaks inductee; and Mireille P. (aka Mimi), an ADK 46er, marathon runner and Canadian ambassador…eh! This year’s team had an interesting mix of ages (mid-thirties to early sixties) and diverse backgrounds connected by a love for mountain hiking, adventure and the great outdoors. Most importantly, there was a thorough understanding and commitment to the established hiking protocols that have been the core values of this group.
The hiking plans were researched and the itinerary finalized to include: Mt. Waumbek (4006’), South Carter (4430’), Middle Carter (4610’), Mt. Moriah (4049’), Mt. Cabot (4170’) and an optional home travel day hike to Mt. Hancock (4420’) and South Hancock (4319’).
Our base once again was Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch. I have been to all of the New Hampshire AMC lodges and mountain huts and have never been disappointed. The facilities are clean, comfortable and very well managed. The food is excellent with generous family style dinners and abundant buffet breakfasts.
With our hikes originating daily from Joe Dodge Lodge, we did not need overnight provisions in our packs this year. That meant significant pack weight reductions that brought happy faces to all. Trip distance and elevation gains did not present anything that we hadn’t done before. A day hike of 7-12 miles was less than usual for ADK 46ers and the 15-mile traverse on the Carter-Moriah Ridge was a common distance for many of the High Peaks of New York State.
All the hiking objectives but one (Mt. Cabot) were accomplished. This was due to a day of persistent thunder, stormy weather and heavy rain. Our planned route was an 11-mile, clockwise loop over Mt. Cabot, the Bulge, the Horn and Unknown Pond. We decided that our enjoyment of this highly recommended wilderness trek in prime moose terrain would be severely compromised by the weather.
Success can be measured many ways. To the extent that we achieved six out of the seven mountain summits in three hike days is (weather-wise) much better than average for a mountainous region as unpredictable as the Whites. Even in the flatlands adverse weather has been problematic this summer so to be able to reach multiple 4000-foot peaks on three out of four consecutive days nearly rain-free is an achievement. I normally plan for a non-hike day to provide a well-deserved hiking hiatus and (just in case) to use the rest day as a hike day if a scheduled hike day has to be canceled. As Murphy’s Law would have it, I did not plan any zero days this time and Mother Nature vociferously reminded me that strategy should always be in the mix.
As much as I am pleased with our hiking success on this trip, I am very satisfied with the people with whom I shared this experience. We hiked together, safely and at a faster-than-book-time pace over very rugged, steep terrain, while always cognizant, respectful and appreciative of each other. We not only shared the beauty of the White Mountains, but we did so with the utmost regard for each other and that raises this experience to a level beyond expectations! Long after the memories of the summits fade, we will still remember the people with whom we shared the experience.
Daily log details to follow.
This year’s group consisted of myself; long-time hiking partner and ADK 46er Barb B.; former group member and 46er Barb N.; Dan H., a marathon runner and recent ADK High Peaks inductee; and Mireille P. (aka Mimi), an ADK 46er, marathon runner and Canadian ambassador…eh! This year’s team had an interesting mix of ages (mid-thirties to early sixties) and diverse backgrounds connected by a love for mountain hiking, adventure and the great outdoors. Most importantly, there was a thorough understanding and commitment to the established hiking protocols that have been the core values of this group.
The hiking plans were researched and the itinerary finalized to include: Mt. Waumbek (4006’), South Carter (4430’), Middle Carter (4610’), Mt. Moriah (4049’), Mt. Cabot (4170’) and an optional home travel day hike to Mt. Hancock (4420’) and South Hancock (4319’).
Our base once again was Joe Dodge Lodge in Pinkham Notch. I have been to all of the New Hampshire AMC lodges and mountain huts and have never been disappointed. The facilities are clean, comfortable and very well managed. The food is excellent with generous family style dinners and abundant buffet breakfasts.
With our hikes originating daily from Joe Dodge Lodge, we did not need overnight provisions in our packs this year. That meant significant pack weight reductions that brought happy faces to all. Trip distance and elevation gains did not present anything that we hadn’t done before. A day hike of 7-12 miles was less than usual for ADK 46ers and the 15-mile traverse on the Carter-Moriah Ridge was a common distance for many of the High Peaks of New York State.
All the hiking objectives but one (Mt. Cabot) were accomplished. This was due to a day of persistent thunder, stormy weather and heavy rain. Our planned route was an 11-mile, clockwise loop over Mt. Cabot, the Bulge, the Horn and Unknown Pond. We decided that our enjoyment of this highly recommended wilderness trek in prime moose terrain would be severely compromised by the weather.
Success can be measured many ways. To the extent that we achieved six out of the seven mountain summits in three hike days is (weather-wise) much better than average for a mountainous region as unpredictable as the Whites. Even in the flatlands adverse weather has been problematic this summer so to be able to reach multiple 4000-foot peaks on three out of four consecutive days nearly rain-free is an achievement. I normally plan for a non-hike day to provide a well-deserved hiking hiatus and (just in case) to use the rest day as a hike day if a scheduled hike day has to be canceled. As Murphy’s Law would have it, I did not plan any zero days this time and Mother Nature vociferously reminded me that strategy should always be in the mix.
As much as I am pleased with our hiking success on this trip, I am very satisfied with the people with whom I shared this experience. We hiked together, safely and at a faster-than-book-time pace over very rugged, steep terrain, while always cognizant, respectful and appreciative of each other. We not only shared the beauty of the White Mountains, but we did so with the utmost regard for each other and that raises this experience to a level beyond expectations! Long after the memories of the summits fade, we will still remember the people with whom we shared the experience.
Daily log details to follow.
