Wildcats 11-11-07
Wildcat D 4062’ and Wildcat A 4422’
Wildcat Ridge Trail
9.6 miles 3350’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma, Una and Terra, MJ, Leaf
At the beginning of the year I set some goals I wasn't sure we would reach. I guess, selfishly, my foremost goal was getting myself through New Hampshire's 4000 footer list for my third time. In so doing, I realized that Jude, and especially Emma, were close to completing the list for their second time. Emma finished for the second time on South Kinsman 10/20/07. With this hike across the Wildcats, Jude is one away from completing her list with only the long trek into Owl's Head to go. This is one I also need to return to.
Jude doesn't care if it happens this year, but I'd like to get it done. My list can go on the back burner for now. Funny thing is, I thought I swore off lists and was just going to hike for fun this year. Well, I am having fun, I just wish I didn't feel like I had to follow a list, but I'm so close now. I'll finish, then I'll swear off the lists again. At least for a while. Unfortunately, now I know about the Prominence List, but that's another story.
Saturday, while hiking out of Tuckerman Ravine, we met up with Una-dogger from the VFTT Forum. She recognized Emma. So, finally, Emma and Terra got to hike together. Terra is a beautiful, 4-year old, merle coated Australian Shepherd. On the way out on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail we mentioned we were thinking of heading to the Wildcats the next day, Sunday, and that we were looking for a car-spot so as not to have to retrace our steps over the Wildcat Ridge Trail to return to our car. As luck would have it Sabrina's (Una-dogger) plans were the same.
There was a good sized gathering of VFTT'rs camping at Barnes Field next to Dolly Copp so I stopped by Saturday night and firmed up plans. This is a good group of people whose chief interest in life seems to be hiking and camping in northern New England. I can certainly relate to that! After a couple of beers compliments of a new friend, and some hockey talk with another, I was able to finalize plans for the next day. Leaf would be the car-spot, and she, Una, MJ, Terra, and Judy, Emma and I would cross the Wildcat Ridge Trail. We would start from Pinkham Notch, and follow the Lost Pond Trail to the foot of Wildcat E.
Meeting at 7am at Nineteen Mile Brook Trail we left Leaf's car and headed over to Pinkham where those guys ate breakfast while Judy, Emma and I started out along the trail. The thought process was that those guys were better hikers and would catch us along the trail, but we forgot to figure into the equation that they had all hiked Washington the day before! The plan was to meet at the platform at the summit of Wildcat E. We waited, but it was too cold and after we couldn't stand it anymore, we headed off along the trail over the series of minor summits before reaching the Wildcat A, looming above Carter Notch.
Hiking conditions were excellent. We had bluebird skies, and although the temp was cold and there was a stiff breeze all day, we were fine as long as we kept moving. We got up over the worst part of the ledges before hitting any snow or ice, although there were a few dicey spots, we were able to complete the trip without donning the crampons, which turned out to be unnecessary extra weight. Of course, if we had been out there and needed them and not had them, well, that would have been bad, so as the old saying goes, "Better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them."
The view across to Mount Washington and the Ravines was incredible all day. To the north the peaks of the northern Presidentials came into view as we hiked along the ridge. Mounts Adams and Madison rose above the Great Gulf, while Jefferson and Clay hid themselves behind Washington. The forest along the ridge was absolutely beautiful with the trees covered in just enough snow to make things wintery, even though we were over a month away from calendar winter.
On Wildcat A, Una, Terra and Leaf caught us. We had a snack and a drink, but we were all soon cold again and ready to get moving. This left MJ to bring up the rear by himself. He was a good sport about it, but in retrospect we definitely should have waited for him. He met up with us at Carter Notch Hut, starving, as he had not stopped to fuel up in an effort to keep up. This was bad form on our part, but again, he was a good sport about it, so I don't think he was too bothered by us moving on without him. We owe you a nice, easy paced hike, MJ!
With stories to tell along the trail, the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail soon disappeared behind us. MJ caught us about halfway out, and we enjoyed his company for the rest of the hike. A great hike with some real nice people. Thanks guys, especially Leaf, who crammed us and all our gear into her car for the ride back to Pinkham. Good times!
Read MoreWildcat Ridge Trail
9.6 miles 3350’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma, Una and Terra, MJ, Leaf
At the beginning of the year I set some goals I wasn't sure we would reach. I guess, selfishly, my foremost goal was getting myself through New Hampshire's 4000 footer list for my third time. In so doing, I realized that Jude, and especially Emma, were close to completing the list for their second time. Emma finished for the second time on South Kinsman 10/20/07. With this hike across the Wildcats, Jude is one away from completing her list with only the long trek into Owl's Head to go. This is one I also need to return to.
Jude doesn't care if it happens this year, but I'd like to get it done. My list can go on the back burner for now. Funny thing is, I thought I swore off lists and was just going to hike for fun this year. Well, I am having fun, I just wish I didn't feel like I had to follow a list, but I'm so close now. I'll finish, then I'll swear off the lists again. At least for a while. Unfortunately, now I know about the Prominence List, but that's another story.
Saturday, while hiking out of Tuckerman Ravine, we met up with Una-dogger from the VFTT Forum. She recognized Emma. So, finally, Emma and Terra got to hike together. Terra is a beautiful, 4-year old, merle coated Australian Shepherd. On the way out on the Tuckerman Ravine Trail we mentioned we were thinking of heading to the Wildcats the next day, Sunday, and that we were looking for a car-spot so as not to have to retrace our steps over the Wildcat Ridge Trail to return to our car. As luck would have it Sabrina's (Una-dogger) plans were the same.
There was a good sized gathering of VFTT'rs camping at Barnes Field next to Dolly Copp so I stopped by Saturday night and firmed up plans. This is a good group of people whose chief interest in life seems to be hiking and camping in northern New England. I can certainly relate to that! After a couple of beers compliments of a new friend, and some hockey talk with another, I was able to finalize plans for the next day. Leaf would be the car-spot, and she, Una, MJ, Terra, and Judy, Emma and I would cross the Wildcat Ridge Trail. We would start from Pinkham Notch, and follow the Lost Pond Trail to the foot of Wildcat E.
Meeting at 7am at Nineteen Mile Brook Trail we left Leaf's car and headed over to Pinkham where those guys ate breakfast while Judy, Emma and I started out along the trail. The thought process was that those guys were better hikers and would catch us along the trail, but we forgot to figure into the equation that they had all hiked Washington the day before! The plan was to meet at the platform at the summit of Wildcat E. We waited, but it was too cold and after we couldn't stand it anymore, we headed off along the trail over the series of minor summits before reaching the Wildcat A, looming above Carter Notch.
Hiking conditions were excellent. We had bluebird skies, and although the temp was cold and there was a stiff breeze all day, we were fine as long as we kept moving. We got up over the worst part of the ledges before hitting any snow or ice, although there were a few dicey spots, we were able to complete the trip without donning the crampons, which turned out to be unnecessary extra weight. Of course, if we had been out there and needed them and not had them, well, that would have been bad, so as the old saying goes, "Better to have them and not need them, then need them and not have them."
The view across to Mount Washington and the Ravines was incredible all day. To the north the peaks of the northern Presidentials came into view as we hiked along the ridge. Mounts Adams and Madison rose above the Great Gulf, while Jefferson and Clay hid themselves behind Washington. The forest along the ridge was absolutely beautiful with the trees covered in just enough snow to make things wintery, even though we were over a month away from calendar winter.
On Wildcat A, Una, Terra and Leaf caught us. We had a snack and a drink, but we were all soon cold again and ready to get moving. This left MJ to bring up the rear by himself. He was a good sport about it, but in retrospect we definitely should have waited for him. He met up with us at Carter Notch Hut, starving, as he had not stopped to fuel up in an effort to keep up. This was bad form on our part, but again, he was a good sport about it, so I don't think he was too bothered by us moving on without him. We owe you a nice, easy paced hike, MJ!
With stories to tell along the trail, the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail soon disappeared behind us. MJ caught us about halfway out, and we enjoyed his company for the rest of the hike. A great hike with some real nice people. Thanks guys, especially Leaf, who crammed us and all our gear into her car for the ride back to Pinkham. Good times!
