BIGEarl
Well-known member
June 1, 2013: The Wildcats, R/T from NMB
Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail
Summits: Wildcat “A”, Wildcat “D”
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The plan for the day also included The Carters. The forecast for the day was tough with high heat and humidity predicted. Because of the forecast I was concerned we might start running significantly behind plan and have to bail at some point. Since Carter Notch was essentially the mid point we decided to hike the Wildcats first thinking Wildcat Ridge Trail is a tougher trail than Carter-Moriah Trail through The Carters. We can hike The Wildcats and then see where things stand.
We had an early target on-trail time. Once we reached NMB the final hike prep was brief and we were quickly hiking. We settled into a moderate pace and were able to generally just hike to the junction with Carter Dome Trail, which is the mid-point between the trailhead and Wildcat Ridge Trail. My concern was where we stood versus plan at the second visit to Carter Notch but I wanted to track our progress. We did a quick check and found we were over thirty minutes ahead of plan already; not bad! Soon we were on our way to Carter Notch and Wildcat Ridge Trail. We continued generally at the same moderate pace. It’s very early in our day but already I’m drenched with perspiration. I’m drinking and eating more than usual trying to keep my hydration and energy levels where they needed to be. I was pretty sure if I fell behind on either it would get late early.
We managed to stay with a solid pace and hit Carter Notch with the same cushion we had when we passed Carter Dome Trail junction. In other words, we slowed down a little versus book time. Perspiration was dripping off everything, including the brim of my cap. As far as I could tell, the heat wasn’t affecting Sue at all. If it was she wasn’t letting it show.
Before we started hiking I had already made a decision on how I would approach the climb to Wildcat A; slow and steady with as few stops as possible. Often, it’s easy to push hard until I need to stop and then lose time trying to bring things (heart rate, breathing, etc) under control. Slow and steady keeps things under control. With fewer stops and much less lost time the net time to the top is less. It doesn’t feel like a faster way up, but it is.
We didn’t lose any time at Carter Notch. We made the turn and started hiking Wildcat Ridge Trail. From the trail junction to the summit of Wildcat A Peak, Wildcat Ridge Trail kicks your butt. It’s a steep trail with good footing all the way up. If you keep things under control, and don’t try to take more than the mountain wants to give you, it’s not that bad of a climb. It’s a short climb; only .7 miles but it includes ~1050 feet in elevation. We were able to maintain the slow and steady pace all of the way up with only a couple stops. When we hit the summit we made a quick stop. I checked my hike notes and found bad news and good news; we didn’t gain any time but we didn’t lose any either. We visited the summit cairn, made a quick stop at the summit viewpoint, and set off for Wildcat D.
A short distance into the traverse across Wildcat Ridge between A and B peaks we came across some snow and it was suddenly time for an eighty-degree snowman. Sue went to work and soon we had our pictures and were again focused on D peak. Hiking from A to D doesn’t seem bad. There are a couple small elevation gains on the way to Wildcat Col but some very big descents. From Wildcat Col, the climb to D peak is somewhat gradual. I’m not suggesting the trip from A to D is tame, but it seems much easier than going from D to A.
When we hit D we found a large group already there. We stopped long enough for some fuel and pictures and were soon heading back to A. Before we left I checked our time and found we were now on plan. In other words, the cushion we had at Carter Notch was used up between A and D peaks (slower hiking, snowman, lunch at D).
After leaving D I became aware of being very thirsty. This was a sudden change. I immediately really increased my intake of water. I had my filter with me and knew I could make more drinking water if needed. I also had a quart of Gatorade in my pack, plus the Carter Notch Hut is open and we could go there for water after descending from A peak. I wasn’t really concerned but it was clear to me, the conditions were winning.
By the time we completed the round trip from A to D and back, it seemed obvious the hike was going to be shortened. The re-climb of C peak was a clear indicator of problems. Re-climbing B peak isn’t significant but finally heading for the summit of A peak I knew. Being unable to finish something like this bothers me, it bothers me a lot, but it seemed there was no choice. I honestly didn’t think I could make it to Carter Dome and really didn’t like the thought of turning around part way up. Before descending from A peak, Sue and I discussed the situation and made the decision. I don’t think Sue was very happy about it; I wasn’t very happy about it at all.
Very little was said between Wildcat A and the trailhead. I spent the time thinking about the plan, the conditions, my ability to handle the combination, and the realization that I’ve done much bigger hikes in tougher conditions. By the time we reached the trailhead I was wondering if perhaps it’s time. The shortened day was extremely frustrating and upsetting. I don’t enjoy letting myself down but letting Sue down really bothers me.
It was a tough day on Wildcat Ridge. Sorry Sue.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail
Summits: Wildcat “A”, Wildcat “D”
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The plan for the day also included The Carters. The forecast for the day was tough with high heat and humidity predicted. Because of the forecast I was concerned we might start running significantly behind plan and have to bail at some point. Since Carter Notch was essentially the mid point we decided to hike the Wildcats first thinking Wildcat Ridge Trail is a tougher trail than Carter-Moriah Trail through The Carters. We can hike The Wildcats and then see where things stand.
We had an early target on-trail time. Once we reached NMB the final hike prep was brief and we were quickly hiking. We settled into a moderate pace and were able to generally just hike to the junction with Carter Dome Trail, which is the mid-point between the trailhead and Wildcat Ridge Trail. My concern was where we stood versus plan at the second visit to Carter Notch but I wanted to track our progress. We did a quick check and found we were over thirty minutes ahead of plan already; not bad! Soon we were on our way to Carter Notch and Wildcat Ridge Trail. We continued generally at the same moderate pace. It’s very early in our day but already I’m drenched with perspiration. I’m drinking and eating more than usual trying to keep my hydration and energy levels where they needed to be. I was pretty sure if I fell behind on either it would get late early.
We managed to stay with a solid pace and hit Carter Notch with the same cushion we had when we passed Carter Dome Trail junction. In other words, we slowed down a little versus book time. Perspiration was dripping off everything, including the brim of my cap. As far as I could tell, the heat wasn’t affecting Sue at all. If it was she wasn’t letting it show.
Before we started hiking I had already made a decision on how I would approach the climb to Wildcat A; slow and steady with as few stops as possible. Often, it’s easy to push hard until I need to stop and then lose time trying to bring things (heart rate, breathing, etc) under control. Slow and steady keeps things under control. With fewer stops and much less lost time the net time to the top is less. It doesn’t feel like a faster way up, but it is.
We didn’t lose any time at Carter Notch. We made the turn and started hiking Wildcat Ridge Trail. From the trail junction to the summit of Wildcat A Peak, Wildcat Ridge Trail kicks your butt. It’s a steep trail with good footing all the way up. If you keep things under control, and don’t try to take more than the mountain wants to give you, it’s not that bad of a climb. It’s a short climb; only .7 miles but it includes ~1050 feet in elevation. We were able to maintain the slow and steady pace all of the way up with only a couple stops. When we hit the summit we made a quick stop. I checked my hike notes and found bad news and good news; we didn’t gain any time but we didn’t lose any either. We visited the summit cairn, made a quick stop at the summit viewpoint, and set off for Wildcat D.
A short distance into the traverse across Wildcat Ridge between A and B peaks we came across some snow and it was suddenly time for an eighty-degree snowman. Sue went to work and soon we had our pictures and were again focused on D peak. Hiking from A to D doesn’t seem bad. There are a couple small elevation gains on the way to Wildcat Col but some very big descents. From Wildcat Col, the climb to D peak is somewhat gradual. I’m not suggesting the trip from A to D is tame, but it seems much easier than going from D to A.
When we hit D we found a large group already there. We stopped long enough for some fuel and pictures and were soon heading back to A. Before we left I checked our time and found we were now on plan. In other words, the cushion we had at Carter Notch was used up between A and D peaks (slower hiking, snowman, lunch at D).
After leaving D I became aware of being very thirsty. This was a sudden change. I immediately really increased my intake of water. I had my filter with me and knew I could make more drinking water if needed. I also had a quart of Gatorade in my pack, plus the Carter Notch Hut is open and we could go there for water after descending from A peak. I wasn’t really concerned but it was clear to me, the conditions were winning.
By the time we completed the round trip from A to D and back, it seemed obvious the hike was going to be shortened. The re-climb of C peak was a clear indicator of problems. Re-climbing B peak isn’t significant but finally heading for the summit of A peak I knew. Being unable to finish something like this bothers me, it bothers me a lot, but it seemed there was no choice. I honestly didn’t think I could make it to Carter Dome and really didn’t like the thought of turning around part way up. Before descending from A peak, Sue and I discussed the situation and made the decision. I don’t think Sue was very happy about it; I wasn’t very happy about it at all.
Very little was said between Wildcat A and the trailhead. I spent the time thinking about the plan, the conditions, my ability to handle the combination, and the realization that I’ve done much bigger hikes in tougher conditions. By the time we reached the trailhead I was wondering if perhaps it’s time. The shortened day was extremely frustrating and upsetting. I don’t enjoy letting myself down but letting Sue down really bothers me.
It was a tough day on Wildcat Ridge. Sorry Sue.
Pictures will follow.
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