The best laid plans

With the summit of Mt. Moriah in May, I had six peaks left on my NH 48 4000 footers list. I had plans for the final peak (Owlshead), and the remaining five were all in one area east of Pinkham Notch, on two ridges on either side of Carter Notch. As noted in the Moriah trip report, I had thought to get Moriah and these other five peaks on one thru-hike, but couldn't work out the logistics.  So I decided to go after them in three day trips (Moriah, Carters, Wildcats). Then the Appalacian Mountain Club offered a $99 deal for their White Mountain huts. One of those huts was in Carter Notch, between the two ridges, so I booked a bunk for a Tuesday in June. With that as a base camp, I'd have several options for getting the peaks on either side of the Notch.

I liked the idea of adding a hut stay to my quest for the NH 48. I've walked past all but two of them, and gone in two of them to check them out & buy snacks, but have never stayed overnight. It seemed like a good experience to include.

Quick note: The special offer was non-refundable, and only available for a few weeks in June. I realized later that those weeks were during the height of black fly season in the Whites, and the deal was likely an attempt to boost business during a slow period.

I went back and forth on the logistics for the hike many (MANY!) times. Options included:

  • Park at 19 Mile Brook trail, follow that to the hut, hike the Wildcats, return to the hut for the night, then hike out over the Carters
  • Park at Pinkham and get a ride north on the AMC hiker shuttle to the Imp Trail trail, head to the hut over the Carters, then hike out over the Wildcats
  • Park at 19 Mile Brook trail, take the shuttle to Pinkham, hike to the hut over the Wildcats, then hike out the next day over the Carters
There were probably a few other permutations as well, but in the end I decided to go with the first option. The out & back over the Wildcats wasn't ideal, but I figured I'd have all day and could take my time. Mostly, it was a straightforward plan without any complications.

Alas, several days before the hike I got sick, catching a cold my son had. Cough & sniffles, little rest, and an overall lack of energy & stamina. I held out hope as long as I could, but the day before the hike I accepted reality, realizing I was in no condition for two days of hiking in the mountains. I contacted the AMC (on-line and by phone) to cancel, mostly so they'd tell the hut crew to not expect me. Since the stay was paid for (and non-refundable), I suggested that they offer the bunk and meals to an AT Thru-Hiker. Perhaps someone benefitted. And I'm back to getting the Wildcats & Carters as two day trips. I'm already working out the logistics for those.

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