Some of the Freshies gang along with other friends hooked up at the trail head in Pinkham Notch on Sat 4/26 to begin the trek to the Carter Notch Hut via the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail where we would spend the night. The plan was to travel the 3.8 mile distance to the hut, drop packs and then continue on to the summits of Carter Dome and Mount Hight. We bare-booted the first half of the trail, but it was slow going on the upper half where snowshoes had to be donned to safely navigate the monorail of snow that snaked up the trail. Consequently, time and lack of energy (or fitness) would not permit a summit bid on this first day. We were hoping to bag them the following day before the descent, but the weather Gods did not cooperate. Rain
and ice were not a good combo for hiking the steep trail to the top.
It should be known that this was the first time using snowshoes for most of the group which offered plenty of comedic moments for us as we watched each other lumber along and occasionally cross tips/tails and perform face plants and headers into the snow. Apparently a 35 pound pack on ones back does not make one more stable… hmmm. Anyway, there was one snowshoe holdout who en”joy”ed running by everyone else up the trail as fast as can be in her fancy-dancy microspikes (made by Kahtoola and can be ordered on-line for $60)… thank goodness for the great equalizer, “post-holing” - being stopped dead in your tracks by slipping off the monorail and having one leg sink down into the snow up to your knee or hip... let it be known that SpiderPig was offering a helping hand the first time this happened to TinyBoarder until DangerBoy barked out the order, “don’t help her, take a picture”… and thus she was on her own for the rest of the hike.
In the end we all ended up arriving at the Hut approximately 4hrs after departure, exhausted and hungry. Once there, we met the hut Caretaker, JB who gave us the low down on bunks, cooking meals and trekking for water. We had great views of Carter Dome which was nice considering the lack of visibility the next day. The evening consisted of the traditional hearts game while sipping wine that we shlepped and preparing dinner. Many thanks to all that brought the Whooley-provided risotto recipe to life, and to Kiwi and Laff for their amazing salad and homemade breads. Also, thanks to Kristen, Eric and Trader Giotto's for dessert – a giant Rice Krispy Treat and a Chocolate Almond Tort. What a meal! Finally, after a few more hands of cards it was off to bed with a full belly and a comfortable buzz from the vino.
The next morning got off to a bang with DangerBoys’ signature banana-chocolate-chip pancakes, LuckyJeans’ perfectly cooked turkey-bacon and Kiwi’s fabulous Hazelnut coffee by the cup. YUMMO! It should also be noted that DangerBoy was up at the crack of dawn to fetch some real maple syrup from the woods – at least that is what he was telling everyone… ok, I was telling that to everyone.
So it was off down the trail which moved along very fast now that we were experts in snowshoeing and microspiking. We reached the trail head in about 2.5 hours had a victory beer and headed to The Moat for the traditional after hiking yam fries. All in all I think everybody had a great time and great experience… I personally can’t wait for the next time.
and ice were not a good combo for hiking the steep trail to the top.It should be known that this was the first time using snowshoes for most of the group which offered plenty of comedic moments for us as we watched each other lumber along and occasionally cross tips/tails and perform face plants and headers into the snow. Apparently a 35 pound pack on ones back does not make one more stable… hmmm. Anyway, there was one snowshoe holdout who en”joy”ed running by everyone else up the trail as fast as can be in her fancy-dancy microspikes (made by Kahtoola and can be ordered on-line for $60)… thank goodness for the great equalizer, “post-holing” - being stopped dead in your tracks by slipping off the monorail and having one leg sink down into the snow up to your knee or hip... let it be known that SpiderPig was offering a helping hand the first time this happened to TinyBoarder until DangerBoy barked out the order, “don’t help her, take a picture”… and thus she was on her own for the rest of the hike.
In the end we all ended up arriving at the Hut approximately 4hrs after departure, exhausted and hungry. Once there, we met the hut Caretaker, JB who gave us the low down on bunks, cooking meals and trekking for water. We had great views of Carter Dome which was nice considering the lack of visibility the next day. The evening consisted of the traditional hearts game while sipping wine that we shlepped and preparing dinner. Many thanks to all that brought the Whooley-provided risotto recipe to life, and to Kiwi and Laff for their amazing salad and homemade breads. Also, thanks to Kristen, Eric and Trader Giotto's for dessert – a giant Rice Krispy Treat and a Chocolate Almond Tort. What a meal! Finally, after a few more hands of cards it was off to bed with a full belly and a comfortable buzz from the vino.
The next morning got off to a bang with DangerBoys’ signature banana-chocolate-chip pancakes, LuckyJeans’ perfectly cooked turkey-bacon and Kiwi’s fabulous Hazelnut coffee by the cup. YUMMO! It should also be noted that DangerBoy was up at the crack of dawn to fetch some real maple syrup from the woods – at least that is what he was telling everyone… ok, I was telling that to everyone.
So it was off down the trail which moved along very fast now that we were experts in snowshoeing and microspiking. We reached the trail head in about 2.5 hours had a victory beer and headed to The Moat for the traditional after hiking yam fries. All in all I think everybody had a great time and great experience… I personally can’t wait for the next time.
Posts
4 comments:
...and, re: TinyBoarder's occasional "post-holing" I have to add that to her credit, she dint need no stinkin' help... from anybody!
While I've been the third wheel and the fifth wheel many times before, this was the first occasion where I was the ninth wheel . . . . . . . still had fun, besides I won the Hearts game handily!! Sigh, lucky at cards, unlucky in love . . . I'm hoping to lose the next few hands of Hearts to change my karma . . .
Great recap SP...you nailed it perfectly. I had a fantastic time on our adventure and was glad to rejoin with the Freshies post-season. I for one was also highly thankful on my near-impaling incident caused by the said monorail o' snow, that Danger Boy DID NOT have his camera at the ready. Score one for Kiwi!
...and think twice before choosing the food items you will carry. Some (oj concentrate, asparagus...) are a tad heavier than others :)
Post a Comment