Jazzbo
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- Jan 1, 2005
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3/24/2007, Solo hike
Weather forecast is for cold air mass to come in briefly Saturday providing one last chance to walk on hard snow pack so I go for it. The high-pressure system will be pushed out later in the day by warm humid air mass featuring rain and snow. The day starts sunny and clear as I drive up via Route 16 from Portsmouth. This early in the day on Saturday, Route 16 is quiet. It’s like coming into the Promised Land when you start getting views of Chocurua. I was pumped when I bypassed Conway on West Side Road.
I arrive at 19-Mile Brook TH at 8:45 and boot up. An energetic scout troop of about 20 from Wakefield MA is gearing up to hike to Carter Notch Hut. This is one well-equipped scout troop. Just about all of them have Koflach boots. One of the leaders tells me with a wink it’s a good thing I’m not planning to stay at the hut.
It’s below freezing when I start bare booted at 9:07. I find the snow pack on the trail firmly frozen with very few postholes. It takes 2 hours to cover the 3.6 miles to the notch. I notice the snow pack on this trail doesn’t turn to mashed potatoes as readily as others because the valley doesn’t get much sun. It’s easy to negotiate the side hills sections that pass close by the river thanks to the deep snow. The river still has nice ice bridges as well.
Now it’s time to hike the steep 0.7 mile 1000 foot trail to Wildcat A. It occurs to me I should have brought my ice ax. The steep trail appears to be in the sun and might be mushy. Probably be too steep for snowshoes, I opt for crampons which proves to be the correct choice. The trail slabs to the right out of direct sun and spruce trees also served to shade the trail. If I step very carefully and only post hole occasionally in the crusted snow. The slow careful pace works well to conserve my stamina. I follow a set of tracks that look to be one (maybe 2) weeks old. Walking in the tracks provides firmer footing than not in the tracks. The tracks disappear in areas where the crust is particularly hard. I’m lucky to have good footing with crampons and poles alone. I can see it wouldn’t take much to make this trail unsafe to travel. It takes an hour to get to the summit view ledge. Spruce trees are crowding the trail. This trail could use brushing. Glad there wasn't fresh snow on those spruce trees.
Views of the crags of Carter Notch are superb! I linger 30 minutes eating and taking pictures. The next 2 miles of ridge walk is supposed to be rough going. I have no idea of the trail conditions so I have to get going. I opt for snowshoes and make good time covering the first bumps. The snow was crusted earlier when the previous hikers passed through. He/she must have worn snowshoes because the trail is carpeted with great long cracks, but not posted holed. I discover how deep the snow really is when I wander into the spruce to take a picture and fall waste deep into spruce trap. It takes a lot of calories to get out. I still have a ways to go and I might need those calories later.
Descending into the 3800’ sag between Wildcat D and C, I meet two hikers bare booting up the steep slope. We stop to chat. They’ve come up from Pinkham Notch and are hiking out and back to Wildcat A. They’ve left postholes on the trail going up. I step in one with my snowshoe and it gets badly wedged in so I can’t get it out. At same time my upper body falls downhill of my stuck leg. I’m really stuck. If I’m not careful going a get a very bad muscle pull. I have to stop and mentally figure out a series of operations to extract myself from this trap. It takes every calorie of energy I have to make the last 300’ up to Wildcat D. What a relief to see the view deck, to hear the ski lift and the cries of skiers! It’s totally cloudy now, but view of Washington and the ravines is still great! I refuel, re-hydrate, take some pictures, and work my way to the sounds of the skiers.
Skiers are friendly. Many ask if I snow shoed to the top or took the lift, but I’m running late so I don’t stop to explain much. It’s late in the day and crowds are thinning. The steeper trails have many bare spots. The snow is slushy and I ski frequently. I stay mainly on the Polecat checking my backside frequently and waiting for large groups to pass before venturing out. I make great time. It only takes an hour to reach the base lodge. I’m walking across the parking lot to Route 16 intending to hitch back to my car when someone calls to me. It turns out to be Doug Loughton, the NH Chapter member who guided me on my first winter 4K up Mount Tecumseh. This is my lucky day! The drive back to Waltham is long and boring, made worse by the rain and slushy driving conditions. Yuk!
62 pics are here!
Weather forecast is for cold air mass to come in briefly Saturday providing one last chance to walk on hard snow pack so I go for it. The high-pressure system will be pushed out later in the day by warm humid air mass featuring rain and snow. The day starts sunny and clear as I drive up via Route 16 from Portsmouth. This early in the day on Saturday, Route 16 is quiet. It’s like coming into the Promised Land when you start getting views of Chocurua. I was pumped when I bypassed Conway on West Side Road.
I arrive at 19-Mile Brook TH at 8:45 and boot up. An energetic scout troop of about 20 from Wakefield MA is gearing up to hike to Carter Notch Hut. This is one well-equipped scout troop. Just about all of them have Koflach boots. One of the leaders tells me with a wink it’s a good thing I’m not planning to stay at the hut.
It’s below freezing when I start bare booted at 9:07. I find the snow pack on the trail firmly frozen with very few postholes. It takes 2 hours to cover the 3.6 miles to the notch. I notice the snow pack on this trail doesn’t turn to mashed potatoes as readily as others because the valley doesn’t get much sun. It’s easy to negotiate the side hills sections that pass close by the river thanks to the deep snow. The river still has nice ice bridges as well.
Now it’s time to hike the steep 0.7 mile 1000 foot trail to Wildcat A. It occurs to me I should have brought my ice ax. The steep trail appears to be in the sun and might be mushy. Probably be too steep for snowshoes, I opt for crampons which proves to be the correct choice. The trail slabs to the right out of direct sun and spruce trees also served to shade the trail. If I step very carefully and only post hole occasionally in the crusted snow. The slow careful pace works well to conserve my stamina. I follow a set of tracks that look to be one (maybe 2) weeks old. Walking in the tracks provides firmer footing than not in the tracks. The tracks disappear in areas where the crust is particularly hard. I’m lucky to have good footing with crampons and poles alone. I can see it wouldn’t take much to make this trail unsafe to travel. It takes an hour to get to the summit view ledge. Spruce trees are crowding the trail. This trail could use brushing. Glad there wasn't fresh snow on those spruce trees.
Views of the crags of Carter Notch are superb! I linger 30 minutes eating and taking pictures. The next 2 miles of ridge walk is supposed to be rough going. I have no idea of the trail conditions so I have to get going. I opt for snowshoes and make good time covering the first bumps. The snow was crusted earlier when the previous hikers passed through. He/she must have worn snowshoes because the trail is carpeted with great long cracks, but not posted holed. I discover how deep the snow really is when I wander into the spruce to take a picture and fall waste deep into spruce trap. It takes a lot of calories to get out. I still have a ways to go and I might need those calories later.
Descending into the 3800’ sag between Wildcat D and C, I meet two hikers bare booting up the steep slope. We stop to chat. They’ve come up from Pinkham Notch and are hiking out and back to Wildcat A. They’ve left postholes on the trail going up. I step in one with my snowshoe and it gets badly wedged in so I can’t get it out. At same time my upper body falls downhill of my stuck leg. I’m really stuck. If I’m not careful going a get a very bad muscle pull. I have to stop and mentally figure out a series of operations to extract myself from this trap. It takes every calorie of energy I have to make the last 300’ up to Wildcat D. What a relief to see the view deck, to hear the ski lift and the cries of skiers! It’s totally cloudy now, but view of Washington and the ravines is still great! I refuel, re-hydrate, take some pictures, and work my way to the sounds of the skiers.
Skiers are friendly. Many ask if I snow shoed to the top or took the lift, but I’m running late so I don’t stop to explain much. It’s late in the day and crowds are thinning. The steeper trails have many bare spots. The snow is slushy and I ski frequently. I stay mainly on the Polecat checking my backside frequently and waiting for large groups to pass before venturing out. I make great time. It only takes an hour to reach the base lodge. I’m walking across the parking lot to Route 16 intending to hitch back to my car when someone calls to me. It turns out to be Doug Loughton, the NH Chapter member who guided me on my first winter 4K up Mount Tecumseh. This is my lucky day! The drive back to Waltham is long and boring, made worse by the rain and slushy driving conditions. Yuk!
62 pics are here!
Last edited:
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