Date: 2023-07-02
From: Osgood Tentsite

To: Imp Campsite
Miles today: 17.8

My alarm went off at 4:30, and I started at 5:45, to avoid as much of the forecasted rain as possible - hopefully for at least the first 4.7 miles to Pinkham Notch. It was forecasted to start around 7 or 8, but about halfway there, around 6:25, it started to drizzle. That turned to showers by the time I arrived to the Visitor's Center around 8. There was plenty of mud and stream crossings, so my feet were soaked by the time I got there. It was chilled by the rain by then, too.I got a few trail snacks and the AYCE buffet. It was wonderful: four pieces of French toast, two pancakes, half plate of scrambled eggs, two sausage patties, couple slices of bacon, two quarter plates of home fries, big bowl of oatmeal, two bowls of cereal, half plate of yogurt and granola, and four cups of tea. Aside from hiker hunger, I missed being able to eat whatever I wanted for breakfast, so I took some of everything! I hope I never take meals for granted again. I stayed at the Visitor's Center for two hours while enjoying breakfast and watching the rainfalI through the window.I was uncomfortably stuffed, and saw that the showers had stopped for a bit. I started out again at 10, enjoying the view at Lost Pond before the long, difficult climb up and through Wildcat Ridge. Showers started again not long after I started climbing.I had hiked this stretch of AT from Pinkham Notch to Mt Moriah on a mostly clear, pleasant Columbus Day weekend in 2018. It was part of a long loop with trails through Wild River and the Baldface mountains. While difficult, I found the climbing to be interesting, with excellent views. For that reason, I was looking forward to reexperiencing some of the pleasure I experienced that weekend.There were several steep rock scrambles to get to the first Wildcat Peak. I was fortunate to get a few views, despite the rain. After more steep rock scrambles, I arrived to the second Wildcat peak, where the ski gondola is, around 12:30. The fog moved in, and the views went away.After summiting two more Wildcat peaks on the ridge, I descended down steep rocks and slippery rock slabs to Carter Notch Hut junction. It was just after 3. I was drenched and felt chilled, so I headed to the hut. I could hardly see the pond nearby, and the spur to the hut was rocky and muddy. I got inside and wringed out my socks, like all breaks, in the vestibule. I met Grit and K Dawg, who were allowed a work for stay at the hut. Grit was actually my tent platform mate last night at Osgood.I stayed there for about an hour. In addition to some of my own trail snacks, I ate three bowls of free scrambled eggs and two pancakes from breakfast. I also had tea, and took a free sample of trail mix. I chatted with Grit and K Dawg. They are both from MA - Grit works from Greater Boston, and K Dawg from Adams.I was about as warmed up as I could get, so I decided to press on to the Imp Campsite - another 7 miles. I started a little after 4. It was still raining. Hiking up to Carter Dome took about an hour. There was no view. The hike up Mt Hight and down to Zeta Pass was chilly, windy, and wet, but that also took an hour. I was hopeful. I continued on over and down Middle Carter Mountain. I was feeling displeased with the wet descents on the slippery rock slabs. I slipped and fell more than seemed reasonable, and I sloshed through lots of ankle to shin deep puddles of mud slop. At one point, I lost the bottom of my trekking pole in the mud, and it got bent.I think it took me a couple hours to get to the North Carter trail. By then, I was angry and miserable. I was screaming and cursing at my misfortune. Onguard, a hiker I met when I stayed at The Notch Hostel, greeted and passed me. There was only about 1.9 miles left, but it took forever down the steep, slippery rock slabs and through frequent mud slop puddles taking up the whole width of the trail. That, and it was getting dark.I finally arrived to Imp Campsite around 10. Fortunately, there was space in the shelter. I changed into dry clothes, got water, cooked dinner, finished up camp chores, and fell asleep around 11:30.