Date: 2017-09-07
From: Carter Notch Hut 

To: Stealth campsite near the summit of Mount Moriah
Miles today: 9.5
Weather: moderate rain

9/7Carter Notch Hut to Stealth campsite near the summit of Mount Moriah9.5 miles Total miles:  1885.8I was up before 5:30 and ready to hit the trail by 7:00. My initial goal was to make it to the Imp Campsite which was 7.2 miles away. After thanking the crew one last time, I headed out. A light rain had been falling earlier but stopped by the time I left.  There was a beautiful view of the pond near the hut with mountains above, and I paused to take a picture.  The first objective today was to climb Carter Dome. The ascent was a challenge but mostly straightforward. The clouds had cleared somewhat, and there was a good view on the way up. At one point on the trail, I had to work my way up a narrow crevice. It took a while to puzzle it out, but I made it up. The summit was completely in the clouds, so I lost any opportunity for views as I left Carter Dome and hiked on to Mount Hight. The descent from Hight was one of the most challenging yet. It was quite steep with very slick, wet rock faces. At one point, the trail followed down a waterfall, so water flowed over my shoes as I worked my way down. As much as I could, I used trees growing adjacent to the trail to my advantage. At one point, I was holding onto a tree as I worked my way along the top edge of a very steep rock slope. My feet completely slipped out from under me, and I landed hard on my right side. Fortunately, I was able to maintain my hold on the tree as my hands slipped down it. Otherwise, things might not have gone so well. As it was, I rolled over to a sitting position, held my trekking poles in front of me, and let go of the tree. I had about a fifteen foot slide down the rock face and was able to stop at the end of the ledge by forcing my feet and trekking poles against a raised edge. It was somewhat precarious and quite exciting and got me down to the next level. I slipped several other times and am a bit bruised and scraped up on my legs and elbows, but I managed to get down to Zeta Pass relatively unscathed.  The skies cleared as I headed up Middle and then North Carter Mountains, providing some very nice views. As the sun shone on the trail, I noticed that it sparkled.  The mica that formed the pixie dust on the hut floor was quite prevalent in the rocks on the trail as well. I also passed some very pretty flowers with bright red berries. The leaves on many of them were already changing color, another indication that fall will be in full swing soon.  The descent from North Carter, while still steep and wet, was less severe, and I arrived at Imp Campsite by 2:30.  I stopped at the shelter and got water from a fast flowing brook. I assessed the situation and felt it was too early to stop for the day. I was a bit bruised and sore but otherwise felt fine. I checked my Guthooks app and found a comment that there was a small stealth camp site, big enough for two tents, about 0.2 miles north of the summit of Mount Moriah, which was 2.1 miles away. It was a bit of a gamble, since you can hike for miles in these mountains without seeing any potential campsite, but I decided to give it a go. The ascent was not overly challenging, although there were numerous places where I needed to use my hands and feet as I crawled and pulled myself up using rock edges, trees, and roots. As I neared the summit, the trail became increasingly boggy between the rock faces, and a few places it resembled a pond more than a trail. There was nothing for it but to wade on through, so my feet and shoes were soaked as I then proceeded to walk up and over slanted rock faces. Fortunately, the rock faces on Moriah are rougher than most, and I was usually able to simply walk up them without slipping too badly. I came across the tiniest of trees, growing in a little spot of dirt on a rock face near a cairn. I guess life will always find a way to happen, given the slightest of opportunities. Near the summit, I met Soars, Alton, and their puppy, Cole (aka Super Puppy). These three love to hike in the Whites, and we all paused our respective adventures to chat. Soars thru hiked the AT in 2009 and the PCT in 2016. He hopes to complete his triple crown by hiking the Continental Divide Trail next year. I first met them as they passed me on their way to the summit, where we helped each other out by taking photos at a view, and then again on their way back down. We had a much more extensive conversation then.  Some people just exude a joyful nature, and that is certainly true of Soars ("like the eagle, not the thing you put cream on") and Alton. Cole tended to be a bit standoffish, but I guess he's just shy. Our chat really lifted my spirits, and as we parted ways, the muddy bogs and the steep, slick rocks didn't seem so bad. Well met, and good luck on that triple crown!  As we talked, I was reminded of a story that Dove related to me. The day we came off of Mount Washington due to the storm, she was sitting in the cafe at the Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center near a couple who had also decided that perhaps hiking that day was not such a good idea. Another person asked the couple if they were thru hiking, and the young woman misunderstood and said, "Yes, I'm through hiking, and I don't know if I'll ever do it again!" Now I know why we are "thru hikers" and not "through hikers."  After parting with Soars, Alton, and Cole, I soon came to the summit of Mount Moriah. She is the last of the White Mountains for a nobo, and I'll leave the Whites when I reach Gorham tomorrow. I found a small tent spot after beginning the descent of Moriah, nestled in amongst the evergreens. I realized as I was writing this that today is my five month anniversary of beginning my hike.  While I am a bit behind where I thought I would be, I am still in good stead to complete in plenty of time. The Whites have proven to be a huge challenge, and I understand that southern Maine will be more of the same. I'm enjoying the challenge and, while I continue to feel a bit apprehensive of what lies ahead, I'll continue to give it my best all the way to Katahdin.