| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat E, Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Lost Pond Trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, February 3, 2012 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Great Gulf parking plowed and icy, but for the most part sanded when we returned. We were the only car there. Plenty of parking at Pinkham Notch AMC. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Snow - Packed Powder/Loose Granular, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow/Ice - Frozen Granular |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes, Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
bridged |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
One blowdown on Carter Moriah approaching South, a couple duck/crawl unders on the North Carter/Imp section. Wildcat Ridge after D and Carter Moriah had plenty of face slappers in places. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Pepper and Cinnilla were superb. Cinnilla slipped in one spot on the ledges going up to E, but before we could get her to use Big Earl's walkaround (which gets a dog around the only really slippery spots) she had gotten back up it and was so happy. They both had some icing on their paws but it wasn't anything they haven't handled before. Heading down from Middle Carter to the car was so much fun, they could run anywhere and there were so many critter tracks to smell. The treats, and Georg's bagel sandwich were soooo good. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Lost Pond but we left it in place as it was too big to carry. |
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 | Comments: |
Finding that the ski trails were not available, but knowing Big Earl's group had broken trail (thanks), we chose this route with some trepidation thinking we might have to bail. It was a great route; way better than using the ski trail. We didn't need no stinkin passes.
We used Hillsounds or microspikes to E and on the crusty snow they worked just fine. It was fun. The one other person on the Wildcat trail before us used climbing crampons but he was going up and down. After E we put on snowshoes and kept them on until near the end. They may not have been necessary but they worked well and left a nice trailbed. There had been a bit of new snow, and around Carter Dome in particular the wind had drifted it, but it was nice for snowshoes. The trails are fast and easy, spikeable but snowshoes are best for most of it
Great clouds (lenticulars, Presi huggers, "waterfalls" and more), lots of sun, chilly in the strong wind up high but all around a very nice day, much better than forecast, with superb views and a generally easy trail. Great companions - Georg, Per & Cinnilla and Pepper. What a fun day. |
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 | Name: |
Pepper and Me |
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 | E-Mail: |
windriversjohn at gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2012-02-03 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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