Wildcat E and D…Skip this read, Pops

Glenn Ellis Falls (good mistake)

Prepped and ready to GO!!! KRAVE. SIG, MAP.

Wildcat E and D via Wildcat Ridge Trail. Not sure on mileage with getting turned around a few times, and creating my own path down…
Times: 10:02am start at truck, 10:25am was able to finally get to the start of Wildcat Ridge trail, Summitted 11:52am, hit truck 1:02pmHa. Well today was one of those days I kinda get why my family freaks when I do these adventures…. At least it started off that way, but as always, not a single regret about going by the end 🙂  Not that I didnt do my research, but would be lying if I said I did as much as I should (and normally do) – I so hope this isnt a post Pops reads… I expected better signage for the Glen Ellis parking area. For those coming from Conway area, if you see AT Pinkham Notch Visitor Center – TOO FAR!! Or like I did, if you hit the actual Wildcat Ski area, way toooooo far 😉 Me and the other 3 cars had to park on the road. Then came the next foo-pua; finding the trail. Seriously, back and forth to Glen Ellis falls was nice cause I got to see the falls, but after the 4th time going back to see where I missed the trail, it got old. Next joyful moment, was nailing my head on a tree branch about 2 mins. I stopped, took a deep breath and told my self all the shit that just happened getting here, was still better than a day at work, or most other places for that matter (other than the bike) – Onward with a smile  🙂

                          

For those doing this in the winter – GO LEFT after you get out of the tunnel – there is a tiny tiny little minuscule sign that tells you this (I obviously missed – we already noted I didnt do appropriate prep). So you hop over the brook, and there is starts. No being shy on this one, it starts off pretty quick and heads steeply up. Trail was broken perfectly. Only crampons. It continues up quite steeply for the rest of the way. There were a few points where being one with fear of heights, I had to remind my self DONT LOOK DOWN! I will say it was worth the ‘worry’ when I turned around to see the Notch all fogged in with the exception of the actual Notch which the sun was seeping into. AMAZEBALLS.  Wyatt did put the breaks on and tell me hell no a few times with the icy ledge and rocks, after much cheering and treats and a few boosts, we cleared the sketchy area. YAY!!

It wasnt too bad after we cleared the open ledgey areas – mostly steeply up, but some meandering. No idea when I hit E — Think I may know, but couldnt find a cairn or anything else indicating where it was! Then, you keep going and going (this is more meandering, up and down), and there it is…. You first hear the hissing, and the weird grinding, then some laughing, and you see you are walking out to the chair lift…

  This is where Wyatt hit celebrity status. Everyone was oooohing and ahhhhing over him. Given his hesitance on the way up, I knew heading back down would be doing a lot of cheering and probably lifting and carrying and slipping on those ledges, so yes, you see where this going. No where good!! So, the nice (hot) ski patrol man told me I can walk down the beginner trail. SOLD. Stay right he told me.

He said it was only 2/3 mile, but I think he may have been a little wrong since it was WAYYY longer!!! Or perhaps my directional skills kicked in again and I somehow added to that 2/3 miles, either way it was great. I didnt expect to enjoy it so much, since part of us disapearing into the mountains is to NOT see people, but oh my goodness, the kids that wanted to pet him, the people that stopped to say hi – smiles everywhere!! Loved it. Then came the walk on 16 back to the truck. Not so fun. Talk about wind burn. I was tempted (but heard moms voice screeching) to hitch hike…. We made it. All in all, another fun day out there!!!

I was thinking as I was getting pelted with ice and wind and muck from the cars coming by on 16… Each hike is so different. You just never know, will it be peaceful perfect quiet soulful day on the trail, or will be the bust ass and get to the top to check it off the list day, or, just a day like today where things seem to keep going wrong, but you still enjoy every second. It just reminds you, any day spent outside, even with stuff tossed at you —– unexpected changes.  —- Its a good day. We stopped @ the Local Grocer ( a favorite little local health-food store with all kinds of goodies!! What did I spend $50 bucks on?!)..

Made it home, hot shower and Jammies later… Ready to try our little experiment of Venison curry meat balls with curried veggies – hot diggity!!!