Training Log Archive: Ari-o

Made a new friend recently and will report more if things keep going well but she suggested a Wildcat-Carter-Moriah traverse and it's hard for me to say no to that.

Met in Gorham, spotted car up at Pinkham (so busy!) and then up Wildcat. Which is … steep. 1600'/mile, about the steepest in the Whites. That was slow and steep, but I had a good influence to keep me from going too fast and drinking too much water. Easier over the top, ran along with a thru-hiker for a while (seemed like a lifer thru-hiker, which are an odd breed) and then down to get water at Carter Lake, since Cata is closed. Except right before the lake I saw a nice little stream of cold water which seemed better than lake water and we filtered a ton and I drank a ton and I was very well hydrated: this was good! It was also the only water on the trail.

So, then, up Carter Dome which is also hard and some of us were lagging but have other good qualities but we had plenty of time for a 5:30 reservation at Saalt/Libby's which was a motivating factor. The last few pitches were warm and sunny but it was a perfect day out, and we finally got to stretch our legs out on the last bit down to Gorham. Mile for mile this is not much easier than the Presi.

We made it down and were sipping beer and eating our appetizers 15 minutes later at the best outdoor garden eating I've seen.