BIGEarl
Well-known member
February 26, 2006: Moriah
Trail: Stoney Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
We had planned to start the day at 5:00am but overslept. At 6:30am I woke up just as Steve was preparing to head out to the Common Room for breakfast and to visit with other hikers. I pulled myself out of the sleeping bag and got moving. After a while I too was in the Common Room making a pot of coffee and visiting with MtDrew. Soon MEB, KMAC, and Giggy would come in as well. They (except for Giggy) had plans to hike the Hancocks for the day. Our plans included Moriah and the Carters. We started the day late and stayed around to visit too long. We managed to get to the trailhead at 10:15am, much too late to complete the planned hike but we could still get at least Moriah. We dropped my truck at Nineteen Mile Brook and drove back to Stoney Brook, our start. The forecast was for high winds and low temperatures. All the way up Stoney Brook Trail to Carter-Moriah Trail it was cold, but calm. As we gained elevation Steve commented about the high wind noise from the ridge. We knew a test was coming.
As we started up the steep portion of the Stoney Brook Trail we pulled out the crampons. We kept them in place until we were well on our way back out. As we made it to the Carter-Moriah trail junction we added balaclavas and warmer mittens. The conditions had become very cold and the wind on the ridge was quite high, possibly well past 35 mph. We continued on the Carter-Moriah trail to the summit of Moriah. There is a large amount of fully exposed areas, which combined with the weather conditions made for a difficult hike. We cleared the false summit and made it across to the actual summit, got a couple pictures, and headed out. We were still on a mission that included roughly twelve more miles and three more Four Thousand Footers.
We made it back to the Stoney Brook and Carter-Moriah trails junction at approximately 3:30pm. Considering the conditions, our speed, and the remaining distance to complete the hike we were looking at an additional eight hours of hiking – minimum. I wasn’t ready for a hike to finish at 11:30pm under these conditions and explained this to Steve. We discussed it and eventually headed back down Stoney Brook to his truck. It is tough to bail-out on a hike but I think it was the only choice considering all of the factors. We agreed to have an early dinner, wake very early on Monday, and come back for the Carters.
February 27, 2006: Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter
Trail: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail
We managed the early start that was planned to hike the Carters and get Steve out early for an afternoon appointment. On the trail with headlights at 5:00am, cold temperatures, clear sky, and good hiking conditions. We made good time up to the junction of the Nineteen Mile and Carter Dome trails. The temperature was falling and the wind was on the rise. Approximately half way to Zeta Pass we decided to pull out the crampons. It was getting quite cold and just getting the crampons in place took extra time because of the required stops to warm our fingers. Finally, we were back underway. We made it to Zeta pass within roughly two hours from our start, (not bad!). Continuing on the Carter Dome Trail we headed for our first target. At approximately the junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail that heads to Mount Hight, we started to experience significant drifting. In a short distance we were in drifts well over six feet high. Eventually, the only way to make progress was on snow shoes. Out came the snow shoes and we put the crampons away for the day. The final quarter mile to the summit was a nightmare. Easily the most difficult hiking I have experienced. I never considered quitting, but I was very happy to make a u-turn after reaching the summit. The temperature was very cold (Steve’s thermometer always reads high and showed -10 degrees) and the wind was at least as high as anything we had been in previously. Again, a couple pictures and we quickly made our exit. Back in the spruce we enjoyed some protection but the conditions were still brutal.
We quickly made it back to Zeta Pass and continued to South Carter. The trail was completely drifted in with no signs of recent traffic. I broke trail for a while and then Steve took over and showed me how to get the job done. Steve led us to South Carter where we stopped for pictures and a snack. Then, we were off for Middle Carter. Usually, this is a relatively short hike but under the conditions it was long – hard work. We arrived at middle Carter and the wind had reached a point where we could barely keep our footing. Both Steve and I were nearly blown over with the very strong west wind. We got off the summit as quickly as possible. There was still more exposure before reaching the North Carter Trail, and we had similar wind problems.
Finally, we reached the North Carter Trail and started our exit hike. On the North Carter Trail and then the Imp Trail we had only 4.4 miles back to route 16. We missed the bushwhack on the way out that would have saved some distance and brought us out very close to the trailhead parking and my truck. Instead, we followed the Imp trail all the way out. We crossed the road and the third or fourth vehicle that came along pulled over and gave us a ride to our waiting truck. This worked out well. Unfortunately, we were too late to allow Steve to keep his afternoon appointment.
With this we now have 47 done, and 1 to go! We’ll finish on Moosilauke in a few days.
Trail: Stoney Brook Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail
We had planned to start the day at 5:00am but overslept. At 6:30am I woke up just as Steve was preparing to head out to the Common Room for breakfast and to visit with other hikers. I pulled myself out of the sleeping bag and got moving. After a while I too was in the Common Room making a pot of coffee and visiting with MtDrew. Soon MEB, KMAC, and Giggy would come in as well. They (except for Giggy) had plans to hike the Hancocks for the day. Our plans included Moriah and the Carters. We started the day late and stayed around to visit too long. We managed to get to the trailhead at 10:15am, much too late to complete the planned hike but we could still get at least Moriah. We dropped my truck at Nineteen Mile Brook and drove back to Stoney Brook, our start. The forecast was for high winds and low temperatures. All the way up Stoney Brook Trail to Carter-Moriah Trail it was cold, but calm. As we gained elevation Steve commented about the high wind noise from the ridge. We knew a test was coming.
As we started up the steep portion of the Stoney Brook Trail we pulled out the crampons. We kept them in place until we were well on our way back out. As we made it to the Carter-Moriah trail junction we added balaclavas and warmer mittens. The conditions had become very cold and the wind on the ridge was quite high, possibly well past 35 mph. We continued on the Carter-Moriah trail to the summit of Moriah. There is a large amount of fully exposed areas, which combined with the weather conditions made for a difficult hike. We cleared the false summit and made it across to the actual summit, got a couple pictures, and headed out. We were still on a mission that included roughly twelve more miles and three more Four Thousand Footers.
We made it back to the Stoney Brook and Carter-Moriah trails junction at approximately 3:30pm. Considering the conditions, our speed, and the remaining distance to complete the hike we were looking at an additional eight hours of hiking – minimum. I wasn’t ready for a hike to finish at 11:30pm under these conditions and explained this to Steve. We discussed it and eventually headed back down Stoney Brook to his truck. It is tough to bail-out on a hike but I think it was the only choice considering all of the factors. We agreed to have an early dinner, wake very early on Monday, and come back for the Carters.
February 27, 2006: Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter
Trail: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Carter Dome Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail
We managed the early start that was planned to hike the Carters and get Steve out early for an afternoon appointment. On the trail with headlights at 5:00am, cold temperatures, clear sky, and good hiking conditions. We made good time up to the junction of the Nineteen Mile and Carter Dome trails. The temperature was falling and the wind was on the rise. Approximately half way to Zeta Pass we decided to pull out the crampons. It was getting quite cold and just getting the crampons in place took extra time because of the required stops to warm our fingers. Finally, we were back underway. We made it to Zeta pass within roughly two hours from our start, (not bad!). Continuing on the Carter Dome Trail we headed for our first target. At approximately the junction with the Carter-Moriah Trail that heads to Mount Hight, we started to experience significant drifting. In a short distance we were in drifts well over six feet high. Eventually, the only way to make progress was on snow shoes. Out came the snow shoes and we put the crampons away for the day. The final quarter mile to the summit was a nightmare. Easily the most difficult hiking I have experienced. I never considered quitting, but I was very happy to make a u-turn after reaching the summit. The temperature was very cold (Steve’s thermometer always reads high and showed -10 degrees) and the wind was at least as high as anything we had been in previously. Again, a couple pictures and we quickly made our exit. Back in the spruce we enjoyed some protection but the conditions were still brutal.
We quickly made it back to Zeta Pass and continued to South Carter. The trail was completely drifted in with no signs of recent traffic. I broke trail for a while and then Steve took over and showed me how to get the job done. Steve led us to South Carter where we stopped for pictures and a snack. Then, we were off for Middle Carter. Usually, this is a relatively short hike but under the conditions it was long – hard work. We arrived at middle Carter and the wind had reached a point where we could barely keep our footing. Both Steve and I were nearly blown over with the very strong west wind. We got off the summit as quickly as possible. There was still more exposure before reaching the North Carter Trail, and we had similar wind problems.
Finally, we reached the North Carter Trail and started our exit hike. On the North Carter Trail and then the Imp Trail we had only 4.4 miles back to route 16. We missed the bushwhack on the way out that would have saved some distance and brought us out very close to the trailhead parking and my truck. Instead, we followed the Imp trail all the way out. We crossed the road and the third or fourth vehicle that came along pulled over and gave us a ride to our waiting truck. This worked out well. Unfortunately, we were too late to allow Steve to keep his afternoon appointment.
With this we now have 47 done, and 1 to go! We’ll finish on Moosilauke in a few days.
