Happy YAYDAY (or New Year) at Carter Notch Hut

#YAYDAY Disclaimer: Ideas expressed in this blog are mine and may not represent those of REI Co-op.

I didn’t summit a 4K.  I didn’t make a snowman.  But I crawled through a cave.  And more importantly, I spent New Year’s with friends.  You know, that is really all that matters, spending time with friends outdoors.  I do lots of solo hikes and adventures.  I meet lot of people and even make new friends.  However, there is something about starting an adventure together and getting back to the parking lot as a group.  But it all the things that happen in between that matter. Yeah I was there last month, but hey, it is Carter Notch Hut. It just rocks.

We made it back alive, except Phil, who left early
Photo courtesy of John

I had only planned for this trip a week before.  I had a YAYDAY (REI's way of encouraging us to get outside and play), so decided to take it.  I got the second to last bunk, posted about it. a friend took it and our adventure was complete. A few cancelled, so another soul joined the Dark Side.  After the year I had, I really needed this trip.  I know the wilderness provides, but it has become more apparent lately.  I have not gotten out as much as I have needed and it shows.  But a great work schedule and vacation allowed me to solve that problem.   However, as a teacher I had to contend with the newest plague to hit.  Great.  It cost me my first 4K of the season, but I did discover an awesome trail.  Not the way I need to spend this vacation.

Whiteface, we will meet again in real winter

I was also supposed to hike the AT this vacation week.  We got some much needed snow up north, but ice where we wanted to hike.  So what do avid hikers do?  Meet at the Hooksett Rest Area, eat grilled cheese, and scheme.  There are adventures to be had when the snow melts.  I prefer the snow.  After our “meeting,” I run errands for the major trip.  OK.  Carter Notch Hut is not a major trip for me anymore, but still, major.  

When these AMC leaders get together, expect AT shenanigans
Photo courtesy of Terri

After a few days of rest, I woke up tired and in pain.  Lots of caffeine and ibuprofen later, I repack my pack, par cook dinner, pack breakfast, etc, etc.  I check Facebook to find my friends are just leaving at 1.  Good news.  I won’t be the last one up.  I was, but whatever,  By 1:45, I was on my way, to a backed up 128.  Yeah, at 2pm.  I discovered this Hell the hard way on Monday.  Then there was an accident on 93, so I took the scenic route around it.  And the speed traps.  Don’t even think of doing the speed limit north of Concord.  You will get a ticket at 71.  Keep it at 68 and you should be good.  The speed limit is 70 but why risk the points?  I should mention, I hate cruise control.

So by the time I got to the trailhead, it was 5:15.  BUT, all my friends arrived at the exact same time.  Great, I get to slow them up.  We got on the trail about 5:45 or so.  All we needed were spikes.  Shoes would have been overkill.  Based on my headlamp hike last month, this one was much better.  The snow covered most of the rocks and roots, but there were still a few warm spots, but not many.  Travel may be trickier in spots, but hiking in the winter is so much easier on the feet.  I hung back with my friend’s dad who has a great rest philosophy.  It was hard going up.  Food weighs a lot.  I was tired and the ibuprofen wore off.  But I pushed through.  I made it to the hut, dropped my bag and headed for the bathroom.  I was well hydrated.  At midnight, my friend John and his dad John went to summit Wildcat A.  Dad made it.

And I am still smiling the day after

I had room 1 all to myself.  Nice for a change.  I keep thinking of those people who missed out on an awesome New Year’s.  I picked the bunk below the one I had Thanksgiving.  Got out of my wet clothes, set the hot water bottle and handwarmers in my bag, and went to party.  Best meal ever:  par cook some steak, wrap it warm in foil with some fresh veggies, chill, then put in oven at the hut. Perfection.  There were adult beverages.  Lots, and lots of can crushing.  A drink here and there is fine, but hiking with a hangover is not fun.  However, it was NYE, so I had a little champagne at midnight.  I had cookies, berries, cannolli cream.  There was cake, more cookies, chips, chocolate.  You will never go hungry in the huts.  

Only inside pic I got, we were having too much fun

There is just something about being in the huts in winter.  Strangers become friends, friends find out why they are friends.  The conversations are crazy.  And this new game, Cards Against Humanity, NUTS.  You trade tips, tricks, share stories.  OH, the stories. My down attire always get attention.  I am telling you, when you look around, you find great deals.  Maybe not the famous brand, but sometimes better.  No booties since I thought I might slip around too much.  I felt bad for Sarah, the caretaker.  My friends, who are part of a group called the Obnoxious Hiker, stayed up and tried to finish some of the alcohol still left. Then we watched the moon and the small flakes of snow falling.  Magical.   I went to bed at 1:30, they were still up.  OBNOXIOUS.  No sunrise anything for me.  

Cool formations

When the sun hits this, it is bright and awesome

I finally woke up at 8:30 when the sun hit me in the face.  OBNOXIOUS. Funny thing I was one of the early risers.  OMG the breakfast foods.  Bacon, eggs, pancakes, fresh pressed coffee.  So much bacon.  And dishes, you have to clean it all up yourself. That's why I love my freezer bag meals. A few breakfasts later, we decide to hit the caves.  OK, nothing much but still very cool with the icicles.  And with the ice, spikes are recommended.  Go past the supply shed and follow the foot steps.  

Looking up through the other side

Yup, you'll be doing some crawling

How long were we there?  The next overnight group showed up.  Yup. We packed up and headed out.  Now, you don’t need to do a thing at the hut except clean up after yourself, but it is nice to offer.  I’ve restocked TP, swept the snow out of my room.  It never hurts to ask how you can help. There is one caretaker and let me tell you they take care of that place.

Stacy, one of those new friends I talked about, and I hiked down.  Took a while because there were so many things to take pictures of.  And well, we couldn’t see it with our headlamps the night before.  We saw people heading up, some more prepared than others.  I used microspikes but could have been fine without them.  More will be necessary soon.  But hiking in the winter requires more planning and gear.  Make sure you find out the weather conditions and what gear you will need before you go out.  

All in all, a fantastic trip/  When we heard the road, we knew it was over.  Post adventure depression ever since.  Sigh.  Vacation is over, but another is coming soon.  I do not know when I will go back to the hut.  Soon I hope.  Zealand and Lonesome Lake are also open in the winter, so I guess I will visit them too.  It was hard writing this because I just want to get in my car and go back.  Reality bites.

I love you  sign