Copy/Repost Hike

Although at the time, I didn't realize it, but Andrew had dropped out early in the morning.  It was probably just as well, since the driving was a little difficult north of the Lakes Region.  In any case, I arrived at the Wildcat Ski Resort just before 8AM.  I went inside and got my "no-lift" ticket and waited until 8:20.  I went outside the lodge and donned by snowshoes...and balaclava and goggles.  It was forecast to be partly cloudy with highs in the low teens, but the clouds were breaking up and it was clear blue skies over the Presidentials.  Still, it was windy...the resort staff had told me to expect winds of 20-30 mph at the summit.

I headed to the north end of the resort and started up the Stray Cat Trail. Staying all the way to the left heading up, this took me to the Middle Polecat, Cat Nap and Upper Polecat Ski Trails.  It was pretty easy going, but the winds were increasing as I climbed in elevation.  Although it was fairly early in the day, I didn't encounter many skiers.  The views along the ski trails were amazing and nearly persistent.  The Presidential Range is prominent just opposite the resort.  I reached the top of the ski lift at 10AM.  It was blustery, so I immediately headed for the trail, which was along side a utility shed.  I could tell from the start that this trail hadn't been used recently as I was met with a wall of a snow drift...over my waist!  I got through this and climbed the short distance to the summit of Wildcat D (4062').  There was a platform here with great views of the Presidential Range.  After taking in the views for a short time, I continued along the trail, which ducks back into the woods.  In another few minutes, the woods opened up again with views along the ridge.  This coincided with a rather steep descent off of the peak.  I was trudging through heavy snow as I slid down this section of trail.  The time in the col was short before I was once again climbing up Peak C.  There are a number of views back along the ridge until finally emerging on the fairly open summit with views again of the Presidential Range and the Baldfaces over to the east.  It was roughly 11:20 when I got to this summit.  The winds had picked up considerably by this time.  I headed down and through the col between Peaks C and B and through a beautiful glade.  On Peak B there were limited views of the Presidentials and off of the north side there were views of Wildcat.  At times the winds were so strong that the blowing snow was further obscurring the view.  After climbing Wildcat (4422') the trail leveled out along the summit until it emerged out onto a ledge with a grand view of Carter Dome...across the notch.  The AMC Carter Notch Hut was visible below.  Anyway, I didn't stay long as it was becoming brutal out and I still had to re-traverse the ridge.

It was 12:20PM when I started back...re-tracing my steps across the Wildcat ridge.  I figured, since I had already broken trail all the way out, that I would have an easier time on the return.  It wasn't that easy.  The strong winds had re-covered my tracks completely even though the trail is somewhat pretected in the trees.  It was as if I had never been there!  Luckily, on the way back there was more descent than ascent.  That was until I once again reached the col between Peaks C and D.  It was very steep re-climbing Wildcat D and I would have to stop frequently to get a good footing.  Even though I hadn't been cold on the way out, my fingers at this point were killing me.  I got them warmed up and continued.  I finally summited Wildcat D and re-emerged again at the top of the ski lift.  To my surpise there was no one here!  They had shut down the lifts!  It was no wonder really as I could barely stand at times with the winds pushing me so hard.  I headed back down the ski trails as quickly as I could.  By the time I descended about half way, the winds and cold were not as bad.  It was about this time, that I ran into 3 guys climbing up to the summit (I hadn't seen a single hiker all day and I was surprised to see these guys so late in the day).  They told me that the resort had shut down with summit winds reaching 80-mph.  It was much easier after this and I made it back to the lodge by 3:40PM.

Well, it was an absolutely beautiful day out, despite the heavy trail breaking, dangerous winds and cold.  It just goes to show that the weather, even as nice as it seemed, could change quickly in the mountains (the forecast had been for diminishing winds through the day...go figure!).  Anyway, I loved it and views were stunning!  Afterwards, I packed it up and headed home.

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