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Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Wildcats D, Wildcat C, Wildcat B, Wildcat A, Carter Dome, South Carter, Middle Carter, NH
Trails
Trails: Ski trails, WIldcat Ridge Trail, Carter-Moriah Trail, North Carter Trail, Imp Trail, herd path
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Sunday, April 18, 2021
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes:  
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Snow - Unpacked Powder, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Snow - Drifts 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment: Snowshoes 
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes:  
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes:  
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes:  
Bugs
Bugs:  
Lost and Found
Lost and Found:  
 
Comments
Comments: Many thanks to the various groups who were out and about all over the Wildcats-Carters area, and tons of thanks to Dan and his buddy for breaking out the trail between the Wildcats Saturday.

Snowshoes from start to finish - the snow is far too deep and far too unconsolidated (except on the ski slopes) for anything else.

We followed a fairly packed styrofoam snowshoe/boot trail up to Wildcat D. Different ski slopes were used, but with the ski area now closed that wasn't an issue.

From D to A was a lovely snowshoe track (not firm enough for barebooting unless you want to posthole).

We broke trail down from A - heavy wet snow 12-15 inches deep at times. Lots of slanted-sideways-hill action going on...we started passing others on their way up just above the slide, so hopefully by now the trail up Wildcat A is much cleaner and stable (and less slanted/sideways).

We then broke trail part of the way up to Carter Dome from the hut area. Wow, that was fun. 12+ inches of heavy wet cement snow on those incredibly steep bits...many curse words were uttered. I took the brunt of the trailbreaking on those steep bits so the girls could save some energy since they were going to go to the Carters without me later (only Sage needed them for the April Grid). I turned over trail-breaking duties to Sage after half a mile or so (past the View sign) because I was getting too angry at the snow. Sage went nearly a tenth of a mile in front...and then we saw a glorious group of people heading down, and after they passed our ascent because much, much easier.

From Carter Dome across the Carters and down Imp Trail, and down Carter Dome Trail (which I took down from Zeta Pass), everything is broken (from other groups) but not consolidated. Snowshoes all the way.

The girls said there was a mix of open streams and soft slushy snow on the lower parts of Imp. 19MBT (my exit) was slush from the intersection with Carter Dome Trail to the car.

Sage and I gridded out Wildcat D today (Alex still needs that for May).

Alex: 549/576 Sage: 544/576 Me (Trish): 548/576

Very proud of Sage for working so hard this past winter to catch up with Alex. She's been hiking twice a week since December while juggling her dual credit college classes and karate tourmanents/volunteer work/other extracurriculars, and she sees her dad two days a week too. She has busted her ass so she and her sister can finish the Grid together before Alex leaves for college this fall. Fingers crossed, barring injury or illness or another damn snowstorm, we hope to finish together in June.  
Name
Name: TrishAlexSage 
E-Mail
E-Mail:  
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2021-04-19 
Link
Link: https:// 
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