First, a bit of a disclosure. As an AMC volunteer and REI employee, my blog may not reflect the ideas of either organization.
I have truly missed the outdoors. Two jobs, trying to save money, pure exhaustion, you name it. It has kept me from my sanctuary. I have done some small hikes, including a great sunset and then moonlight hike on Wachusett, but the northern Whites have eluded me. Heck, I even thought this trip was a goner. But somehow I got up the energy and made my way to the Whites. I even extended my stay a day. It was what I needed. I still need it. So much is going on, not all good, that I take any chance for peace I can get. And thanks to REI being closed on Black Friday, I decided to #OptOutside in grand fashion.
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| First trip section hiking with the Trail Dames. |
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| My second trip. Already planning #4, |
The plan was perfect. Drive up Turkey Day (original was a stay at Joe Dodge Wed), Dump stuff, hike the Wildcats, turkey dinner, sunrise, Carters and Hight, Joe Dodge, then home. Well, but the time I got to Nineteen Mile Brook trailhead, I was lucky to get to the Carter Dome junction by dark. I did, what someone had warned me about the ice on the upper part of the trail. They were not kidding. Thick, boilerplate ice flows. Not the whole way, but enough of the way, in spots. Did I mention it was dark. The last time, I tried this, I barely made it to the hut. It was the first time I thought I might have a medical emergency on the trail. Darn proto-bronchitis. All I had was my lamp. The patches were too spaced for spikes. And that wind. Somehow I managed the ice and made it to Wildcat Ridge and the AT. Again, I was SOOOOO happy to see that white blaze. So happy. I hugged the junction sign again. I should have taken a picture, but I was carrying a 2lb turkey dinner. There was .2 miles of thin ice and mud. That was actually harder than the steep trail and I got my foot wet. Luckily, the hut was near.
I made it to the warm, fragrant hut. OMG THE FOOD. I had no need to bring it. I quickly made new friends with the families who tried to get rid of their food. I even got adopted by one for the night. I must say, this was by far, my favorite Thanksgiving ever. I learned some new card games, had some good Kentucky whisky, and man, that apple crisp was divine. I absolutely love the huts. LOVE. You meet great people, have interesting times, and some of the views (Mizpah does not have many) are amazing. There is no running water. It comes from the lake and is boiled. No wool blankets, but you get a pillow. My bag kept my nice and toasty. And it stayed warm as I ran to the outhouse. It got warmer overnight, so it was not too bad.
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| Leftovers |
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| More Leftovers |
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| Full moon |
I woke up, saw what looked like a cool sunrise, went back to sleep. I have found some great roommates who sleep late. I got some tea, and walked around. In the process, I found the Ramparts. Such a great place to just watch the sun make it’s brief appearance for the day. The thing about Carter Notch Hut is that it truly tucked into the Whites. Ski area near one side, wilderness near the other. Like your own piece of Middle Earth. Video proof here:
I had breakfast, second breakfast, and chilled for a while before heading out. Plus I needed to make sure that no mashed potatoes somehow made their way into my pack. 2 hikers came in with their pups. Poor things knew what was inside. Time to go.
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| Happy Thirdiversary Carter Notch Hut. That nice lady makes an awesome apple crisp. |
Now, I have avoided going up Carter Dome from the hut twice. I went down once and couldn’t walk for a week. It’s that steep. I met a man who was taking photos I let him pass me. He stopped by a view point, I passed. I was surprised when he came up behind me. I was making good time and was on track to do book time again this trip, but we stopped and chatted for a bit, then hiked up together. Lots a great conversation, when I could catch my breath. But you know, with a #30 pack, it is hard, but I kept up. We made it, met some other men who were doing a key swap, and had a little conversation. The new oversized bridge on Nineteen Mile Brook Trail, trail reroutes, and the hut proposal for Crawford Notch were topics.
We parted ways as I headed to Mt. Hight. I did this before, and the trail looked familiar, but until I saw that white blaze, those things are magic. I came up to the beauty of Mt. Hight. This, along with some other fantastic peaks, are not considered part of the NH48. Many people skip them. But they are not to be missed because the views are sometimes better than the recognized peaks. I personally prefer Guyot, because, you know, the Pemi. However, Hight has an awesome view, even in lousy weather. One day I will get there on a blue bird day. Video proof:
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| I love a good white blaze in the afternoon. |
I had read reports of ice on the way down. They were not wrong. And it was in the worst spots. I made it. Then found some more spots on the way down. Yeah, it was steep too. Made it down, warned some kids about the ice, and avoided more patches on my way to Zeta. I had a decision to make here. I could do the rest of the Carters (South and Middle), or head back, the forecast I read before I left home said wintry mix late. I decided to go back. SIGH, I did have a good trip and did not want to risk anything happening. Now for my all too common LNT rant. Warning: There are naughty words. PACK OUT YOUR FUCKING TOILET PAPER AND WIPES. Rant over.
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| Some of the ice on Carter Moriah |
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| Zeta Pass |
I thought I could make it down quickly, but I was tired. 3.8 miles, with patches of ice is tough. And the trip down is always slower. I was wondering if I would like this trail in a few months, but it is the way to do the Carters. I have time to figure it out. The trail was rerouted and I do like it. The new oversized bridge, really though? And we can’t replace the necessary suspension bridge in the Pemi? Seriously? A great trip done. Off to the liquor store for that good bourbon, and buffet at Joe Dodge.
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| Oversized bridge |
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| And I didn't fall crossing it |
But wait, there is more. After breakfast, I decided to stay. So I extended my reservation, had a good convo with my roommates, then off to attempt Hermit Lake. Yes, the I hiked the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. I made it as far as Huntington Ravine Trail, then decided I was just tired. Oh, I also go turned around, so I did the first .4 again. I did stop by the Cascades, though. Plus, it was a great way to get used to my winter hiking boots and hot water Nalgenes. And it flurried.
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| Snow crystals!! |
Trip to Wally World (I forgot conditioner, and CetaPhil), then some socializing and dinner. While there, I heard a familiar voice. It was Jay from a few of my hiking communities. We chatted, then headed back for some more socializing. Why do I always hang out with people who need to be told that it is quiet hours? I swear, it happens all the time. Mostly with other teachers, though. My nose was running, I felt awful that night. One of my roomies was sick with the newest plague. I woke up feeling crappy, but guess what, I hiked anyway.
Now it had gotten colder overnight. I should have ditched the Platypus, but I kept it. And yes, the tubes and bite valve do freeze. Luckily, I filled a Nalgene with hot water. It was only a 1050’ gain in 2.2 miles, but it was tough knowing I was getting sick. But I made it to Lowe’s Bald Spot. Great little spot. I sadly head down and back home. Why is the trip down Old Jackson Road back to Joe Dodge so damn long?
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| Hoarfrost |
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| Lion? Tiger? Snowcat? |
OK, if you know you are getting sick, a hike in the cold is not the best thing. I spent the next few days miserable. But I do not regret it. This weekend was about testing to see that I still had it. And while this stress is hurting me, I am much better than last year. I still need the mountains to help me. It was wonderfully peaceful. I actually made book time to the hut, and with the dark and ice, that is amazing. And I would have made it to Carter Dome in time, but I decided making socializing with other hikers was more important than book time. But I know I can do it. I am still slow by what almost every other hiker can do, but you know what? Who cares. I am happy hiking. I may be slow, and sometimes I do it in the dark. I makes me happy.
I really needed this trip. I am even suffering from that post excursion depression thing. I do not know when I will get back to peace, but it needs to be soon. The world is going so damn crazy lately, I feel safer in the woods. Once I am above Tilton, I know I am good. I may not get as many opportunities now, but that is OK. I have a job that fills some of the void. And when I can, I will go out. It will be hard, but I will do it.
