NEW HAMPSHIRE SERIES: The Carter and Wildcat Range

http://www.explorewithjulie.com/New_England_Hiking_Event_Logo_Carter Range_Wildcat_Ridge_82_Percent.jpg NEW HAMPSHIRE SERIES: The Carter and Wildcat Range EVENT ORGANIZER: Julie Moran. Please contact me here with your thoughts and ideas about this trip: jmmoran {{AT}} nycap.rr.com, Mobile 281-5882. FINISH YOUR NH 48 4,000 LIST WITH US! TRIP SUMMARY / UPDATES (12/31/2009 9:00 a.m.): This trip is a cross-posted event with Hudson Valley Hikers (HVH) and Hiking Mates CHALLENGE (HMC) and is planned in conjunction with HVH's Mt. Washington traverse this weekend. I'm also rescheduling this hoping for better weather than the New Year's weekend. After failing to get these peaks in early December, here's another chance to reach them. The Carter Dome Trail leads from the Nineteen-Mile Brook Trail about 1.9 miles from Route 16 to the summit of Carter Dome, partly in conjunction with the Carter-Moriah Trail. It is the former fire tower access path and provides the easiest and most popular day hike of the Carters, although there is substantial elevation gain. Wildcat Mountain has five summits ÂÂ- A, B, C, D, and E ÂÂ- along Wildcat Ridge, which curves two miles (3 km) to the south and west. Both A, at 4,422 feet (1,348 m), and D, at 4,062 feet (1,238 m), are considered "four-thousand footers". B, with an elevation of 4,305 feet (1,312 m), and C, at 4,285 feet (1,306 m), lack the topographic prominence to be considered more than subpeaks of Wildcat A. Likewise, the E peak, at 4,046 feet (1,233 m), is considered to be a subpeak of the higher D peak (the E peak was formerly believed to be the higher of the two, and used to appear on the official list of four-thousand footers, but current topographic maps reveal the D peak to be the higher summit). Winter view along the Appalachian Trail, nearing the summit of Carter Dome. http://www.explorewithjulie.com/Carter_Dome_Summit_Winter_18_Percent.jpg ESSENTIAL TRIP DETAILS: When / Where: See above. Difficulty: 14.3 miles, miles, 5,451 Feet total vertical climb. At a 1.5 mile / hour pace this is about an 9.5-hour hike. If we wish to avoid hiking in darkness, there is very little time for breaks; regardless, headlamp equipment is mandatory for this trip. Car Spot Time: 6:45 a.m. Trailhead Time: 7 a.m. A view of Wildcat Mountain from Carter Notch ... http://www.explorewithjulie.com/Wildcat_Mountain_From_Carter_Notch.jpg WEATHER AND OTHER SUDDEN EVENTS CAN CAUSE SUDDEN CHANGES TO OR CANCELLATION OF THIS EVENT. YOU MUST CHECK BACK TO THE MEETUP.COM SITE OFTEN FOR UPDATES TO ANY HIKING MATES CHALLENGE EVENT. BY ATTENDING YOU'VE AGREED THAT YOU'VE READ INFORMATION PRESENTED HERE AND AT OUR GUIDELINES -- CLICK THE "ABOUT" LINK AT LEFT. ESSENTIALS TO BRING: Flash light AND head lamp, food / snacks / at least three bottles of water, first aid items. Wear multiple layers of synthetic materials for warmth; consider bringing charcoal warmers for fingers and toes. NOTE: Poles and friction devices for boots, such as micro-spikes, "Yak-Traks" and / or crampons, are recommended as added gear should wet rock surfaces freeze. Snow shoes may be required -- stay tuned for weather updates. CLICK HERE FOR CURRENT SNOW DEPTH INFORMATION FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE. Be sure to have a method for backpack attachment for these items; be sure to try out your gear before you start out for your first winter trip! YOUR RESEARCH ESSENTIALS: CARTER DOME http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152590/carter-dome.html http://hikethewhites.com/cdome.html http://home.earthlink.net/~ellozy/carters.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carter_Dome http://www.hike-nh.com/trips/carter/ http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/tripplanner/plan/carter-dome.cfm http://www.hikenewengland.com/Carter990919.html WILDCAT MOUNTAIN http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/153832/wildcat-mountain.html http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/parks/specific/wildcat/ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wildcat_Mountain_(New_Hampshire) http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/tripplanner/plan/wildcat.cfm NOTE: You are responsible for bringing appropriate gear, supplies, clothing, first aid and lights. You should review topographic maps and trail features carefully; understanding topography of any challenge hike is key to your knowing where you are, where you're going and how to get back. CLICK HERE FOR A TRIP PLANNER OF THE HIKE ROUTE -- PRINT AND TAKE A COPY WITH YOU. See you there! Julie.