Date: 2004-09-10
From: AMC Carter Notch Hut 

To: Hikers' Paradise Hostel - Gorham, NH 
Miles today: 15.2
Weather: fog

At 4:30 a.m., the outdoors was as still as I've ever experienced. Not a leaf was moving or a sound uttered by forest inhabitants. I stepped out of the bunkhouse to gaze at the night sky highlighted by the half-moon surrounded by a gazillion stars. How very peaceful, especially on the heels of a stormy day just past. After 15 minutes I returned to my sleeping quarters for a few more winks. Six o'clock: the winds were whipping the tree branches against the building, the clouds started moving in and obscured my view of what appeared to be a colorful sunrise. I feared the forecasted thunderstorms were to be a reality today after all. Ursa and I moved out as quickly as possible; Impulse and Rooney Tunes followed shortly thereafter. First on the agenda -- Carter Dome at 4832 feet! We got a brief glimpse of the hut we had just left and the two lovely lakes in close proximity. From then on it was solid fog and powerful winds. Live weather reports via walkie-talkie at Carter Notch Hut said 3.5 inches of rain fell yesterday and today's summit wind gusts were topping 70 miles per hour. It was going to be a challenging day!The trail at the summit of Mt. Hight (4675 feet) took a 90-degree turn from the ascending path to the descending path. There is a well-used trail at the bottom going from the beginning of the ascent to the end of the descent, thus completing a triangle. Somehow Ursa and I missed the upward leg and ascended the downward leg. In the meantime Impulse ascended at the proper point and met us going up as he was coming down. Thinking he had miscued at the top, he reversed directions and climbed again. Once we were there Ursa and I realized we had screwed up and we all returned to the bottom. Now, this wouldn't have been quite so bad had it not been for the existing weather. Literally, more than once, I was blown off the trail and had to grab hold of scrub bushes or lean against some rocks to hold myself upright. Aside from not knowing where to go there was no fear factor, just a huge, exciting adrenaline rush. We were now only two miles into our 15.2 mile day. Ugh. South Carter Mountain (4458 feet), Middle Carter Mountain(4600 feet), North Carter Mountain (4530 feet), Moriah Mountain (3620 feet) preceded a steep long descent to Rattle River. Fortunately, most of the descent was rock steps with very few "sit-on-your-butt-and-slide-down-the-boulder" moments, although Ursa did try that by accident a couple times. The terrain that took Swan¢s butt to ground level was man-made wooden planks placed across bog-like areas. Those planks are more slippery than wet, moss-covered rocks and had me gingerly tiptoeing across, losing the battle twice. Thankfully, we've no injuries to show aside from a couple small bruises. All in all, it was an invigorating but testy day.When we reached the lower elevation the path widened, softened, and flattened. Swan found her cruising speed, uncoiled the energy bound up in her legs these past couple weeks because of the rocky terrain, and cut loose. It felt so good to unwind my legs, I was nearly running the last 3-1/2 miles. The trail crossed Rattle River a few times, necessitating a ford in calf-high water. I didn't mind. My feet were soaked already and I was enjoying the freedom and elation of cruising at top speed on a flat trail. It helped to know I was heading into town with laundry and shower facilities!A zero day is desperately needed. I do pay for my rambunctiousness the following day. Pounding my ankles and knees with such enthusiasm takes a toll and I'm hoping a day off the trail will give them full relief before we head out again Sunday.A Chinese all-you-can-eat buffet is calling. Blue, Ursa, Regular Brian, Rooney Tunes, Impulse, and I are headed out. Free Spirit, Class of 2003, gave us a lift into town where I retrieved two boxes from the Barn. I know Cygnet arrived and has departed, safely returning to Hanover for her return flight tomorrow morning. Although I wasn't worried, it's always comforting to know the kids are safe. Once a Mom, always a Mom -- right Mom?!!