Jocelyn & Steve Visit

Jocelyn and Steve visited us for the week of August 14.

Kevin had a new digital camera, the source of many of the photos below.

This photo shows off the depth of focus of Kevin's camera, giving an interesting perspective on a game of Sequence while Kathy awaits her turn.

On Monday we went to New Hampshire and pitched our tents at a private campground. At night we were "instant experts" around the fire.

The next day we set out to climb Carter Dome, but due to a technical problem with boots, we did the much easier Mount Willard instead.

Here, Steve views Saco Lake before our hike, supported by his new boots.

Atop Mount Willard

At the Campground

The campground was nicely equipped for sports.

Our campsite was beautiful and relaxing, located on the bank of the Gale River.

The Flume

On Wednesday we visited the Flume, and took an interest in the fauna.

Hike to Carter Dome and Carter Notch

Thursday was the big hike day for everyone except Kathy, who did some shopping in Conway. Later she waited for us at the AMC Pinkham Notch center. We met up after the hike and had a delicious dinner at the Red Parka Steakhouse in Glen.

On the Way Up

Atop Mount Hight

The best views of the day were from the summit of Mount Hight, a summit on the northeast shoulder of Carter Dome. We stopped for a leisurely lunch break.

Two hikers who arrived at the summit just after us were accompanied by a pair of dogs. One of the dogs was friendly and hung around us for a while.

Brother and sister ham it up.

After lunch, Scott got out his map and set about identifying the surrounding mountains.

This view to the north shows Mount Madison (the northeastern end of the Presidentials) on the left, and on the right a shoulder of the Carter Range.

Scott's got his map oriented, and is studying it. In the background (to the northeast) is Moriah.

The view to the southeast. South Baldface, Sable Mountain, Chandler Mountain, Kearsarge North, and Doublehead

Jocelyn looks toward Carter Dome, our next destination.

Mounts Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison

Steve and Jocelyn took a rest, while Kevin checked out the map, and investigated the noisy grasshoppers.

Atop Carter Dome

Carter Dome, 4832 ft., is the 9th highest mountain in New Hampshire. It is covered with scrubby trees, so that there are no views from the summit. We took a break.

Descending to Carter Notch

The steepest trail of the day was on the descent to Carter Notch. Halfway down there's a lookout from a cliff. Below are the buildings of the AMC Carter Hut, and the Carter Lakes. Across the notch are the cliffs leading up to Wildcat.

We called this huge rock face the "old baboon of the mountains".

looking south over Carter Notch

We took a break at the hut.

Steve, Jocelyn, Phil, Scott, and Kevin

Returning Home

On Friday we returned home, stopping at the Basin for our last visual nourishment and stimulation from the White Mountains. Saturday night Kevin worked his last day at KayBee Toys while the rest of us had steak and corn on the cob for dinner. Then we played Mexican Train, a full 13 rounds. Steve hung in there to win by a wide margin.