albee
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Okay, it was really just a small fluffy white dog with its owner in tow, but I wanted to see if more people read creatively-named trip reports.
On Sunday, January 28th, I set out to bag 3 more winter 4ks - Middle Carter, South Carter, and Carter Dome. The plan was to go up the North Imp trail to the North Carter trail, then take the Carter-Moriah trail all the way over the peaks to Carter Notch Hut. From there I could decide to head down the 19 Mile Brook Trail and possibly bushwhack up to Little Wildcat, or continue on and complete a Carters-Cats traverse.
The walk up to Imp Face started out quite pleasantly. The trail gradually ascends a little ways above a streambed through a birch forest. About 2" of fresh powder had fallen overnight, and I got to make the first tracks of the day even though I started at 5 past 10. A few snow flurries gave way to streaks of sunlight breaking through the trees. It was turning out to be a beautiful winter day!
The last mile to the Imp Face was steep, but before too long I broke out to some unique views across to the Presis. I had a snack, and hurried on my way. I was hoping to make it the 4.3 miles to the ridge at 30 minute mile pace, but I failed by 8 minutes. From the Carter-Moriah trail, I quickly passed the summit of Mt Lethe, and made my way up Middle Carter. At this point, I finally ran into another soul, more accurately 6 of them, heading in the opposite direction as me. After a friendly chat I continued to the summit and took a longer break to eat, drink, adjust clothing, and admire some views. I have never had such a good chance to look to the east of the Carters. I could easily pick out the Baldfaces, Eagle Crag, the Royces, Sable and Chandler mtns.
The trail had been well broken out by the group of 6, so I continued to bare-boot over the rest of the peaks. I passed South Carter and ran into a group of 4 (including the aforementioned mini-yeti) and then another group of two. I took another short break at Zeta Pass, then started on the climb up Mt Hight that I had been dreading. It turned out to not be as bad as I had feared, and I ran into another friendly pair of people on the way. I was rewarded for my effort with spectacular 720 degree views from the summit. (Perhaps more than 720 degrees, as I kept turning around and around looking at all the mountains in every direction. I wasn't cold, there was hardly any wind, and I couldn't think of a reason to continue on!
I reluctantly left this wonderful peak and made the climb up to Carter Dome. After tagging the summit, I hustled down to the steep section above Carter Notch. After carefully negotiating the steeps and the switchbacks, I scurried across the frozen ponds to take a quick break in the hut. After refilling my water and signing the logbook, I decided that since it was just 3:00 it was too nice of a January day to not add the Wildcats as well. So, off I was to make another 1000+ foot climb up to Wildcat A.
After all the peaks I had climbed today, I was pretty warmed up and feeling strong by now, so this climb went by fairly quickly and I found the summit 25 minutes later. I set my goal on making it to Wildcat D in 50 more minutes or less. I made my way over the B and C bumps on the ridge, then hit the wall just before the final climb up Wildcat D. I stopped for some water and a PowerGel, then finished my last climb of the day up to the top and finally the lookout platform. By now, all of the Presis were cloudless and I got a breathtaking view into the different gulfs and ravines. I was right on time at 4:15 PM. I slid down to the top of the ski-lift area just as a couple finished skinning their way to the top, and just as 6 workers with swiss bobs jumped off the last ski lift of the day. That looks like a fun way to end your workday!
At this point, I strapped on my snowshoes and geared up for a brisk jog down the Polecat ski trails. I made it all the way down in 21 minutes flat - it was fun to have the trails all to myself without watching out for skiers. At the bottom I walked across the main parking lot and stuck out my thumb, and the second car to pass picked me up for the 5 mile ride back to my car. Talk about door-to-door service! (Thanks Kim!) The hike totalled about 15.2 miles, and it took me 6:40. Not bad! I have to get in shape because Oncoman and Rejean are hopefully joining me on a Hale/Zealand/Bonds traverse next weekend. Wish me luck! 38 down, 10 to go for my 48w. This was a great hike for peakbagging lists - I got to bag 5 for my 48x12, 3 for my 48w, and 1 each for my TW72, Y-Alp, and 52WAV lists! Sweet!
See ya on the trails!
On Sunday, January 28th, I set out to bag 3 more winter 4ks - Middle Carter, South Carter, and Carter Dome. The plan was to go up the North Imp trail to the North Carter trail, then take the Carter-Moriah trail all the way over the peaks to Carter Notch Hut. From there I could decide to head down the 19 Mile Brook Trail and possibly bushwhack up to Little Wildcat, or continue on and complete a Carters-Cats traverse.
The walk up to Imp Face started out quite pleasantly. The trail gradually ascends a little ways above a streambed through a birch forest. About 2" of fresh powder had fallen overnight, and I got to make the first tracks of the day even though I started at 5 past 10. A few snow flurries gave way to streaks of sunlight breaking through the trees. It was turning out to be a beautiful winter day!
The last mile to the Imp Face was steep, but before too long I broke out to some unique views across to the Presis. I had a snack, and hurried on my way. I was hoping to make it the 4.3 miles to the ridge at 30 minute mile pace, but I failed by 8 minutes. From the Carter-Moriah trail, I quickly passed the summit of Mt Lethe, and made my way up Middle Carter. At this point, I finally ran into another soul, more accurately 6 of them, heading in the opposite direction as me. After a friendly chat I continued to the summit and took a longer break to eat, drink, adjust clothing, and admire some views. I have never had such a good chance to look to the east of the Carters. I could easily pick out the Baldfaces, Eagle Crag, the Royces, Sable and Chandler mtns.
The trail had been well broken out by the group of 6, so I continued to bare-boot over the rest of the peaks. I passed South Carter and ran into a group of 4 (including the aforementioned mini-yeti) and then another group of two. I took another short break at Zeta Pass, then started on the climb up Mt Hight that I had been dreading. It turned out to not be as bad as I had feared, and I ran into another friendly pair of people on the way. I was rewarded for my effort with spectacular 720 degree views from the summit. (Perhaps more than 720 degrees, as I kept turning around and around looking at all the mountains in every direction. I wasn't cold, there was hardly any wind, and I couldn't think of a reason to continue on!
I reluctantly left this wonderful peak and made the climb up to Carter Dome. After tagging the summit, I hustled down to the steep section above Carter Notch. After carefully negotiating the steeps and the switchbacks, I scurried across the frozen ponds to take a quick break in the hut. After refilling my water and signing the logbook, I decided that since it was just 3:00 it was too nice of a January day to not add the Wildcats as well. So, off I was to make another 1000+ foot climb up to Wildcat A.
After all the peaks I had climbed today, I was pretty warmed up and feeling strong by now, so this climb went by fairly quickly and I found the summit 25 minutes later. I set my goal on making it to Wildcat D in 50 more minutes or less. I made my way over the B and C bumps on the ridge, then hit the wall just before the final climb up Wildcat D. I stopped for some water and a PowerGel, then finished my last climb of the day up to the top and finally the lookout platform. By now, all of the Presis were cloudless and I got a breathtaking view into the different gulfs and ravines. I was right on time at 4:15 PM. I slid down to the top of the ski-lift area just as a couple finished skinning their way to the top, and just as 6 workers with swiss bobs jumped off the last ski lift of the day. That looks like a fun way to end your workday!
At this point, I strapped on my snowshoes and geared up for a brisk jog down the Polecat ski trails. I made it all the way down in 21 minutes flat - it was fun to have the trails all to myself without watching out for skiers. At the bottom I walked across the main parking lot and stuck out my thumb, and the second car to pass picked me up for the 5 mile ride back to my car. Talk about door-to-door service! (Thanks Kim!) The hike totalled about 15.2 miles, and it took me 6:40. Not bad! I have to get in shape because Oncoman and Rejean are hopefully joining me on a Hale/Zealand/Bonds traverse next weekend. Wish me luck! 38 down, 10 to go for my 48w. This was a great hike for peakbagging lists - I got to bag 5 for my 48x12, 3 for my 48w, and 1 each for my TW72, Y-Alp, and 52WAV lists! Sweet!
See ya on the trails!
That's rippin it up especially considering the terrain! 
