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Wildcat D Peak 4050′ Sept 5, 2009

Three months ago, Mr. Pinault and I decided to take an extended vacation over Labor Day weekend. But… where to go? We debated the merits of Ireland versus Iceland, mused about returning to Spain, tossed around the idea of going to Argentina, researched Alaskan cruises, and wondered about the hospitality of the cousin in Australia.

And somehow, we ended up in New Hampshire. We booked a campground in the White Mountains for 5 days, determined to make a major dent in our quest to hike all 48 of the White Mountains 4000 Footers. We needed good weather, and we got it. We needed mental and physical endurance, and we had it. We needed many pairs of socks, and, well, you know the saying about how travelers should bring half the clothes and twice the money? Actually, the inverse is true when it comes to camping.

Our car loaded with camping gear and hiking provisions, we left for the White Mountains on a crisp, clear Saturday morning… and promptly got snarled in Labor Day weekend traffic. At that point, we should have abandoned our plan to bag both Wildcat A and D and switched to a shorter hike, but the traffic made us stupid and anxious to move our legs. So at noon we reached the trailhead for Wildcat Ridge (part of the Appalachian Trail) and obstinately hiked up the east side of Pinkham Notch.

Pinkham Notch from Wildcat Ridge Trail

Pinkham Notch from Wildcat Ridge Trail

We stopped for a snacky lunch on an overlook and struck up a conversation with an AT hiker as he fixed his malfunctioning gaiters. Within 2 minutes, the AT hiker and I discovered that we both grew up outside of Norristown, Pennsylvania and went to neighboring high schools (me to Methacton, him to Perkiomen Valley). It seemed a marvelous coincidence. “I’ve been on the AT since March,” he said. “I’ve met people from South Africa, Japan, Norway, Russia, and Brazil. I guess it makes sense to meet someone from Methacton.”

He set out ahead of us, but later we caught up to him as he relaxed with another AT hiker after a steep climb. They asked me what it was like in Boston after Ted Kennedy died, and I described the nostalgic sadness that gripped even the most apathetic citizen. The other AT hiker interrupted me to make quips about Chappaquiddick. Classy.

Wildcat is a ski resort, so we knew the summit was close by when we heard the mechanic whirl of the gondolas, which operate all year round. We walked past the crowds to the Wildcat D summit, which has a wooden observation platform that was inexplicably closed.

Summit of Wildcat D

Summit of Wildcat D

Wildcat D has awesome, awesome views of Mount Washington, which we knew would be our destination for the following day.

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On Wildcat D overlooking Mt Washington

My, Mount Washington looks… immense.

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So does Mounts Adams (the pointy one on the left) and Madison, another destination for the upcoming week.

Mounts Adams and Madison

Mounts Adams and Madison

Unless we exhausted ourselves, we could not make it to Wildcat A peak and back to the car by sundown, so we trekked back to the car. We will have to hit Wildcat A during our trip to bag the 3 Carter peaks. Although it was disappointing not to meet our goal, after all… it’s vacation! We were ready to relax by the campfire .

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