We decided to knock out ALL the Carters and ALL the Cats in one day on September 19th 2021.
We were in peak shape, the days were still pretty long, and were just wanted to get this motherfucker done.
We had done all peaks previously, of course, but in a much less strenuous way. And we had never gone down in to the middle of the earth, 7th circle of hell Carter Notch.
ANYWAY. We began bright and early. We had to do some faddling around since it was a point to point with a 5 mile road walk in between. No thanks. So Eric dropped Ellie and me off at the trailhead, and he drove the car to Wildcat and then rode his bike back down to us. It was cold AF (like 49...) but other than that, this worked fine.
We went on up the Imp Trail, which of course took us over the Imp Face. This is a hard enough hike in and of itself (and is on 52 with a view, so this totally was a 6 peak hike.) The Imp face is a beautiful place, very very lovely.
From there we walked about 348 more miles to Middle Carter, and onwards to the South Peak. Honestly, it's not really as far or as dire as I make it sound, it's just a grind of ups and downs (as one would expect.....)
We detoured to Mt. Hight which you really just have to do (so... this was a SEVEN peaker??) Yes, it's slightly more elevation than just getting over to Carter Dome, but there just is no reason to skip this stellar peak. (and it truly was a stellar day- and was turning into a hot one)
From Hight it's really only a skip and a jump to Dome, where we took a pretty legit 20 minute break because we got talking to a few people. You also can't do a long haul hike like this without stopping for food and stuff a couple times.
From there..... It is literally DOWN over 1,000 feet to Carter Notch where the hut is. It is STEEP AF towards the end, and you seriously feel like you are never going to finish going down.
It is pretty. And pretty STUPID having to go back up, hahaha..
Anyway- we did need to stop again for a few minutes to refill waters and use the restroom before the final push over the Cats.
And what a push it is.
The climb out of the notch is just a beast, especially when you have mileage and vert already in your legs. OOOF. UGH.
We complained a lot while climbing to Wildcat A which is pretty much one of the worst summits a person could ask for. (I don't have a lot off love for the Cats.) (and it is not THAT bad but it is VERY hidden)
I won't go into the details of the final few miles. We did make it to the D peak. Obviously.
THANK HEAVENS.
We took the ski trails down. It was hot as shit. We were kind of over it. There was not a ton of morale. It happens, not every hike is a good one. *it WAS pretty*
When we got back to the car for the FIRST time ever I was so tired that I didn't even want to eat (I did, and then I felt a lot better. )
Bottom line, we were glad to get this one over and done with. Got all the peaks checked off for September (we already had them cleared off the summer list- and are going to try not to have too many repeats but it happens and good weather means long hikes even if we repeat a season!)
Here's the thing. This hike is very impressive, very beautiful, rugged and long. It is VERY good to do when you are in peak shape, but perhaps NOT so great to do when you are only like, 6 days recovered a Bonds-Zealand Traverse. I'm pretty sure my attitude was lousy because I was tired (and honestly, TMI, but I was really suffering massive discomfort from the fibroid I had. It was a pretty miserable hike for me because of that....)
Stats:
Miles 14.75
Elevation: 6500
Time: 8:26:53 oooffffff
Fun: 3 (Sara) OK it wasn't that bad. maybe a 5
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