Carter Dome - Solo Hike

Shaka from the summit!

Carter Dome

Elevation: 4,832ft

Mt. Hight - Elevation: 4,675ft

Duration: 7 hours (includes stops along the trail and at both summits)

Trails: Nineteen Mile Brook, Carter Dome, Zeta Pass, Carter-Moriah Trail/Appalachian Trail

Elevation Gain:  3,350 ft

Distance: 10.2 miles roundtrip

My 4000+ Peak #33

Listed 4000+: #9

Difficulty: Easy to Moderately Strenuous

What a beautiful day to bag #33! I got to the parking lot at the Nineteen Mile Brook trailhead and it was just about filled. I had been along this trail when I hiked into the Carter Notch hut back in 2013. There was snow and the trail was easy to hike. Today it was a bit cool as I started off from the parking lot. But as I got onto the Carter Dome trail, it was warming up. At the Zeta pass it started cooling off all the way to the Carter Dome summit. 

I had originally planned to hike up to Mt. Hight first. But when talking to two couples with their 4 kids on their way down from the Carter Notch hut, they told me that they had descended the trail from the Mt. Hight summit and it was rocky and super steep. If you know me, you know that I don't have any problems with steep, rocky trails. But if you know me really well, you know that I like to make things easy on myself! ;) 

So instead of hiking the steep Carter-Moariah trail to the bare summit of Hight, I continued on the gradual Carter Dome trail to the Carter Dome summit. On the way I stopped at the Black Angel trail junction and spoke to "Camo". He was counting hikers that were on the Black Angel trail. I spent 40 minutes at the Carter Dome summit, taking photos, eating lunch and talking with some other day hikers as well as 4 AT Thru Hikers. Afterwards, I headed to the Mt. Hight summit taking the Carter-Moriah trail....this was such an easy hike in this direction! I spent 20 minutes at the Mt. Hight summit taking photos and quickly taking in water and a snack. I really found it hard to leave with the views and the cool breezes on this summit. On my way down the steep trail from the summit, I was just so snap-happy I hadn't come up this trail. If I had to ascend Hight via this steep trail, I'd say this hike was "very strenuous". On my way down I passed 10 folks making their way up. 

Once back on the Carter Dome and Nineteen Mile Brook trails, I ran when I could. Near the trailhead the temps were annoying...warmer and definitely more humid. But the humidity was bearable and didn't affect my asthma. I met more folks and dogs on the trails as well.....that made 60 people and 4 dogs for the day! Enjoyed this hike and can't wait to get back for South Carter, The Wildcats as well as a night's stay at the Carter Notch Hut!

Enjoy some photos I took along the way....

 Along the Nineteen Mile Brook Trail

Along the Carter Dome trail

"Camo" keeping count of hikers along the Black Angel trail

Just before the summit there is a little path that leads

to an outlook. Don't forget to check it out!

Here are the 4 AT Thru Hikers

Left photo: "Forward" with his Super Mario backpack!

Middle photo: A married couple from Vermont and "Georgia" check out the map

Right photo: Off they go!

Carter Dome Summit

Carter Dome Summit

Mt. Washington from the Mt. Hight summit

Carter Dome from the Mt. Hight summit

Not certain but I think that's South Carter behind me

Hiker ahead of me on the steep Carter-Moriah trail from the

Mt. Hight summit. Some sections, although vertical, are still a scramble.

South Moat & North Doublehead - Solo Hike

South Moat Mountain (2,760ft)

Trail: Moat Mountain Trail

Elevation Gain: 2,200ft

Miles:  5.4 miles roundtrip

Duration: 3.5 hrs (includes stop along trail at the summit for 30 min)

Difficulty: Easy to moderate

North Doublehead (3,053ft)

Trail: New Path

Elevation Gain: 1,600ft

Miles:  3.0 miles roundtrip

Duration: 2 hrs, 15 min (includes stop along trail at the summit for 15 min)

Difficulty: Easy to moderately strenuous

Checked off numbers 16 & 17 of my NH 52 With A View list! I wasn’t planning on bagging 2 peaks from the list today, but after 2,200 feet of elevation gain to the summit of South Moat, I still felt good (my knee wasn't bothering me). So I hiked to the summit of North Doublehead for another 1,600 feet of elevation gain, and that did the trick for me today. Enjoy some photos I took of my hike to the South Moat Mountain.

Along the Moat Mountain Trail

At the summit

After I got down from South Moat I felt good. My knees weren’t hurting and I wanted more cardio workout. So I headed over to the trailhead of North Doublehead. The parking lot is really small and can fit up to 5 vehicles parked closely to one another. The trail actually starts up the dirt road a bit and to the right. There is a large white sign with an arrow on it pointing in the direction of the trail. If you continue on the dirt road, there is a “private property” sign near a small bridge. There is a “No Parking” sign along the one-lane dirt road as well.

Just before the junction I met a family of 3…looked like grandparents with their grandson. They told me that it was their 2^nd attempt to summit via the steep, “Old Path” trail and they turned around because it was too steep and strenuous. I asked if it was rocky and the guy said that it was all rocky ….which was bullshit. Some parts of the trail were a bit rocky but not as much as South Moat. The woman told me that I should ascend using the Doublehead Ski Trail as it would be “easier on me.” I quickly looked them over and realized that they didn’t even have a backpack or so much as a water bottle between them. Yup, I really want their advice. Not!  I quickly told them bye and headed to the junction where I took a right onto the steeper trail.  I met two more hikers descending and we chatting for a bit, and then I continued upwards. And the trail stayed steep. And I pushed on. Pacing my breathing. Staying hydrated. Until I spotted the Doublehead Cabin through the woods. Enjoy some photos of my hike to North Doublehead Mountain.

Along the trail

Not much views from the North Doublehead summit. I did get

a shot of Mount Washington through the tops of the trees.

Thin Air - Multi Pitch Rock Climb

Thin Air (5.6)

360 feet, 5 Pitches

Cathedral Ledge

North Conway, NH

We did this route in 3 instead of 5 pitches. My leader Geoff combined P1 & P2. And P4 & P5. The traverse section is my fave section of this route. On our last pitch, the area between the two flakes were really reachy for me, and on my first attempt I slipped. But I found the very top section of the flake on the right to be a bomber hold. It was plenty enough so that I could get my feet up and onto the bulgy flake on the left. I would def do this route again! Enjoy some photos I took  while on the route.

At the base of Thin Air

Anchor at a small ledge

Getting set to do the fun traverse!!!!!!

Geoff at our 2nd belay station

At our 2nd belay station

Geoff pointing out the Cranmore Ski slopes

At our 2nd belay station

Pat on "The Missing Link"

Our 2nd pitch

Gorgeous view!

Ledge

Looking down from our 3rd belay station

Geoff and I end along the same route so we 

followed Pat and his partner to finish up on our last pitch.

Genetian Pond Shelter - Solo Hike

AMC Genetian Pond Shelter
Trail: Austin Brook Trail
Elevation: 2,270 ft
Elevation Gain: 1,500 ft
Miles: 7.0 miles Roundtrip
Duration: 4.5 hours (includes stops for trail photos & 30 min @ shelter)
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Trailhead parking: 44°24'45"N  71°4'6"W

Originally I was set to solo a practice hike to the Hermit Lake Shelter at Tuckerman Ravine today. But when I awoke this morning and read Jeff D's email about a possible practice hike to the Genetian Pond Shelter, I decided to check it out instead. It's mileage/gain is similar to the mileage/gain we expect to backpack to the South Colony Pond on our Colorado trip. Once at the Pond, we will be setting up camp. So I did a quick search of trail/trailhead info and got on my way.

The trailhead is located on North Road of Shelburne, NH. 

Yes, that's a turnstyle!

Along the Austin Brook Trail

At mile 3.1, after crossing over the Bog on bog bridges, the trail bears left at the base of a steep slope. It's just 0.4 miles to the shelter and the Mahoosuc Trail, but it's rather steep. I ain't gonna lie, it was tough but tougher on my knee coming down this steep section. This is just one section of the steep part leading up to the shelter.

At the shelter

Genetian Pond with North Bald Cap mountain in the background

Notice all that beautiful rock for multi-pitch climbing!

As you can see in my photos, the weather was just beautiful! It was cool to start off. But towards the end of my hike, under the wooded areas, I was bait for swarms of mosquitoes...and a tick! Hopefully, I won't have to worry about those pests in Colorado! :) There were 8 other folks on the trail and I spoke to another woman solo hiker who had hiked the Colorado 14ers. She didn't have problems but did notice that she was huffing and puffing more than usual due to the thin air. She said that I shouldn't have any problems hiking but to take rests and stops along the trail if needed.

Diana’s Bath, Champney Falls, Cathedral Ledge - Easy Hike

Just a few photos of some short hikes on a weekday. Spent the day at some mellow waterfalls and at the top of Cathedral Ledge. The trail to Diana’s Bath falls is wide, well-maintained and easy. I can see why this spot attracts many families with small children. 

Afterwards I drove to the top of Cathedral Ledge.  During the winter season, this gate is locked. At the top is a parking lot and a short walk to fenced views above climbing route finishes. 

Chatted a bit with Tom Sawyer who was belaying

Mike Cummins up the route called “Refuse”.  

From the lookout point with Whitehorse Ledge,

Echo Lake and The White Mountain Hotel & Resort

On my way home I stopped off at the Champney Falls trailhead on the Kancamagus Highway. At the loop junction I took the right, up along the stone stairs. Then left onto the loop along the water. The hike up to the top of the loop trail was easy and views along and down the loop trail was fantastic! I never have, but hope to ice climb here.