Ritzhikes

It's three days after the Wildcat Ridge hike , and I'm still grumbling about it. I'm disappointed in both the hike and in myself. Perhaps getting this down in writing will help. Before I continue, I need to say that this was not a bad hike. The walk up the ski slopes was relatively easy, the weather was great, the views (the Presidentials, Carter Notch) were spectacular, the Wildcat Ridge trail was challenging at times but a nice path, and I added two more 4K peaks to my list. I even met some interesting people. But it could have been so much better, and I've been focused on that rather than the good parts. Up until 3AM the day of the hike, my plan had been to leave a bike at Wildcat, then drive to  the Great Glen Outdoor Center and hike back from there, using the 19 Mile Brook Trail, Wildcat Ridge trail, and Wildcat ski trails to get back to the bike. There was another route,  a purportedly quick & dirty way to get the two Wildcat 4K peaks - an out & back hike ...

Where: Wildcat Ridge When: August 12, 2025 With: Solo I might have climbed these peaks in March 1998, when Brian, Brad & I set out to do a winter Carter-Wildcats traverse . I was recovering from strep though and bailed out after the first day/night. If I'd been actively working on the NH 4K list back then, I might have been inclined to push on, but it was just a hike with friends then. Fast forward to recent times and the 48 NH 4000 footers list . The peaks in the area east of Mt. Washington had become the final entries on my list (except Owlshead, which I was saving for last). Gradually, they were picked off until I had just the Wildcats left to climb. After considering several approaches to get them, I settled on  an out & back hike from the Wildcat Ski Area, using the ski trails to get to the Wildcat Ridge Trail. I 'd planned on a 5AM departure from home, but I was awake early, out the door by 4:15, and at the Wildcat Ski Area at 7:30. The day was forecast to be warm...

Where: Carter Range (Middle Carter, South Carter, Mt. Hight, Carter Dome), NH When: August 4, 2025 With: Steve In my quest to climb the 48 NH 4000' peaks, I needed the two Wildcats and the three Carters (I'm saving Owlshead for last). My neighbor, Steve, has been working on The Grid (each of the 48 peaks in every month), and he needed the Carters in August. I'd hoped to get the Wildcats in July, but it didn't work out, so the Carters moved to the front of the line and  I asked if he wanted company for the hike. Our original plan was to go in two cars, leaving one at the 19 Mile Brook trailhead and driving the other to the Imp Trail. The day before the hike, Steve suggested taking just one car. We'd park at 19 Mile Brook, walk a short distance north on the highway, then cut through the Joe Dodge camp to the Imp Trail. That was the route I'd planned to take if I was doing it as a solo hike, and it cut a couple of miles off the Imp Trail. Steve picked me up at 5AM...