una_dogger
Well-known member
Group: MichaelJ, Old Man, Silverfox, Rocket21, Terra the Trail Dog, Una_dogger.
The Plan: Moriah for 48x2
The Well Intended Yet Unsufferable Part II: The Carter Range
The Meet Up:
We met at 19 Mile Brook at 7am on Sunday. Others scoffed our invitation based on start time. Slackers....
The Car Swap: Went without a hitch. Two cars at 19 Mile. A brief drive by visit from Leaf and Giggy.
The Pick Up: A sleeping MichaelJ was picked up in his car at Stony Brook.
The Convergence: We all regroup at the Carter Moriah Trailhead. The hike begins.
Varying conditions of snow and ice. A fresh 2 to 3 inch layer of snow covered the trail. Ice on ledges en route to Mt Surprise lay hidden underneath. Microspikes helpful here. Great views of Mt Madison from Mt Surprise.
Mt Moriah: Wind and clouds. Completion of 48x2. The realization that dropped goldfish crackers will stick to a dog's fur if its cold enough. The possibilities are endless....
The Ledges: Three of us decide to continue across the Carter Range, two decide to head down Stony Brook. Brief discussion of goal to be in a bar by kick off.
Stony Brook to North Carter Ascent: solo foot prints to Imp Shelter spur. The occaisional teasing glimpse of N Carter, its ascent sculpted in white snow and ice, mocking us, ever mocking us...
North Carter Ascent: We are stupid to have gone this way.
North Carter to Lethe and Middle Carter: unbroken snow. Beautiful sunset. At several points, I considered two options -- puking or crying. Both required too much energy.
Middle Carter: Amazing sunset. Did I say sunset? I was planning on getting into my car at sunset.
South Carter: Dark. Two bites of Balance Bar and gulp of water. 5:30 pm. OY.
And then...a small line of tracks appears...spirits rise. Its all downhill from here.
Zeta Pass: Broken, packed trail!!!! We are talking again, and hiking at a very brisk pace. Cars, food, warmth....just a mere four miles away!!!
Some blowdowns and some doggy coaxing at tricky water crossing.
19 Mile Brook: Joy! 30 to 40 minutes to our cars!!! Suddenly, the beauty of the night sky, with its clear cieling and brilliant stars comes to life above us. Gravity and clear trail aids in forward progression, we talk and let go of our earlier internal struggles in favor of positive reflection. Today wasn't what we had planned (my idea!) and it was hard, but we did it; and what a good group for it.
The Trail Head: Awesome!!! Special thanks to the Trail Angel who left dog biscuits on my car, these seems to be a trend and its a nice one!
The Wrap Up: Good bye hugs. Gratitude for the strength, persistance and patience shown by all.
The Drive Home: 3.5 hours, powered by Starbucks and Devil Dogs.
The Aftermath: Monday at work, sore, tired, hungry.
What does hiking give me? Well, for starters, it brings a larger context to my life. Long days, hard climbs, scary ledges, sketchy ice, hunger, fighting internal frustration and demons -- brings everyday challenges in perspective. Finding the strength and patience to see what's really important and necessary in terms of energy expenditure on a hard climb, that transfers into so much more in every day life. If I can handle this, make a sound decision, and see it through -- that really puts the small stuff in perspective.
My thanks to the mountains for providing the training grounds for real life. Sunday equalled 15 miles and 5400 feet of pure reality, kept real by snow and nearly 12 hours of one foot in front of the other.
The Plan: Moriah for 48x2
The Well Intended Yet Unsufferable Part II: The Carter Range
The Meet Up:
We met at 19 Mile Brook at 7am on Sunday. Others scoffed our invitation based on start time. Slackers....
The Car Swap: Went without a hitch. Two cars at 19 Mile. A brief drive by visit from Leaf and Giggy.
The Pick Up: A sleeping MichaelJ was picked up in his car at Stony Brook.
The Convergence: We all regroup at the Carter Moriah Trailhead. The hike begins.
Varying conditions of snow and ice. A fresh 2 to 3 inch layer of snow covered the trail. Ice on ledges en route to Mt Surprise lay hidden underneath. Microspikes helpful here. Great views of Mt Madison from Mt Surprise.
Mt Moriah: Wind and clouds. Completion of 48x2. The realization that dropped goldfish crackers will stick to a dog's fur if its cold enough. The possibilities are endless....
The Ledges: Three of us decide to continue across the Carter Range, two decide to head down Stony Brook. Brief discussion of goal to be in a bar by kick off.
Stony Brook to North Carter Ascent: solo foot prints to Imp Shelter spur. The occaisional teasing glimpse of N Carter, its ascent sculpted in white snow and ice, mocking us, ever mocking us...
North Carter Ascent: We are stupid to have gone this way.
North Carter to Lethe and Middle Carter: unbroken snow. Beautiful sunset. At several points, I considered two options -- puking or crying. Both required too much energy.
Middle Carter: Amazing sunset. Did I say sunset? I was planning on getting into my car at sunset.
South Carter: Dark. Two bites of Balance Bar and gulp of water. 5:30 pm. OY.
And then...a small line of tracks appears...spirits rise. Its all downhill from here.
Zeta Pass: Broken, packed trail!!!! We are talking again, and hiking at a very brisk pace. Cars, food, warmth....just a mere four miles away!!!
Some blowdowns and some doggy coaxing at tricky water crossing.
19 Mile Brook: Joy! 30 to 40 minutes to our cars!!! Suddenly, the beauty of the night sky, with its clear cieling and brilliant stars comes to life above us. Gravity and clear trail aids in forward progression, we talk and let go of our earlier internal struggles in favor of positive reflection. Today wasn't what we had planned (my idea!) and it was hard, but we did it; and what a good group for it.
The Trail Head: Awesome!!! Special thanks to the Trail Angel who left dog biscuits on my car, these seems to be a trend and its a nice one!
The Wrap Up: Good bye hugs. Gratitude for the strength, persistance and patience shown by all.
The Drive Home: 3.5 hours, powered by Starbucks and Devil Dogs.
The Aftermath: Monday at work, sore, tired, hungry.
What does hiking give me? Well, for starters, it brings a larger context to my life. Long days, hard climbs, scary ledges, sketchy ice, hunger, fighting internal frustration and demons -- brings everyday challenges in perspective. Finding the strength and patience to see what's really important and necessary in terms of energy expenditure on a hard climb, that transfers into so much more in every day life. If I can handle this, make a sound decision, and see it through -- that really puts the small stuff in perspective.
My thanks to the mountains for providing the training grounds for real life. Sunday equalled 15 miles and 5400 feet of pure reality, kept real by snow and nearly 12 hours of one foot in front of the other.
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