| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wildcat D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B,Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, North Carter, Mt. Lethe, Mt. Moriah, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Polecat ski trail, Wildcat Ridge Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, Carter Dome Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Friday, January 22, 2016 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Ice - Blue, Snow - Unpacked Powder, Snow - Drifts |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Snowshoes |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Couple blowdowns here n there. Nothing show stopping.
Someone has marked about 1/3 mile of Wildcat Ridge Trail with orange surveyors tape. Not sure what that's about since the trail is pretty obvious! |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
Lost an earring... somewhere. Blue & white, inexpensive -- no biggie.
Found a small blue ensolite pad on way down Moriah. Packed out. |
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 | Comments: |
Wore snowshoes car to car. The word of the day was DRIFTS, and snowshoes were definitely needed everywhere except for Polecat, but I wore them there, too, for the traction.
Once atop Polecat, WRT was marginally broken out. My one set of snowshoe prints made the track a bit more packed, but with continued high winds, drifting was ongoing. Trail breaking was not difficult. Saw deer prints on WRT, a first! Slide was not sketchy today.
Wind was *whipping* thru Carter Notch this morning. Some bare booters had been up Carter Dome recently, so I basically broke trail all the way up that. Love my Televators. Once atop C Dome, trail much more broken out to Zeta Pass. Bypassed Hight this day -- it was cold and very windy.
Cruddytoes joined me at Zeta Pass, and Fancypants did South Carter. Broken out trail was mostly obliterated by drifted snow. (Did I mention bringing SNOWSHOES?!) After North Carter, trail was completely unbroken to Stony Brook. What a ride down it was. :) Lots and lots of ice flows hiding under the new snow. We were thankful for the many little trees to grab onto. (Ascending this section given current conditions would require crampons IMO.) Whether going up or down, be prepared for very, very steep terrain!
Was some evidence of folks using Stony Brook as well as C-M off Moriah, but much drifting, so we were breaking trail in these sections, too. Note that since there was usually only one (Start to C Dome) or two (South Carter to finish) of us breaking, the route is choppy, not smooth, and most likely continued drifting over in today's winds.
Blustery and cold most of the day but crisp, clear views all the way to Saddleback and beyond. Thanks to Fancypants for the car spot! And Cruddy for the trail breaking help and company.
PS: Bring snowshoes. |
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 | Name: |
Snowflea |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2016-01-22 |
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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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