Middle, South, & Carter Dome

Trail used: 19 Mile Brook Trail

Type of Hike: Overnight Hut Stay

· Matt’s Gear:

• Base Layer: EMS TechWick 1 Short Sleeve, EMS Techwick Long John 2, EMS Convertible Pants
• Insulation:
• Shell: EMS Thunderhead Raincoat
• Accessories: EMS Gortex Gaitors, Microspikes, EMS Thermal Mountaineering Gloves, Artc’Tech beanie
• Pack: Osprey Atmos 65 2nd Generation

Matt also carried: EMS long sleeve TechWick 2, EMS Techwick Thermal, Patagonia Down Sweater Jacket, and EMS Glacier Down Jacket

· Gear: Gabrielle

• Base Layer: EMS TechWick 2, Under Armor Cold Compression Leggings over Lululemon Wonder Leggings. 
• Insulation: Patagonia Down Sweater, Smartwool Heavyweight 1/2 Zip.
• Shell: EMS Thunderhead Raincoat
• Accessories: EMS Gortex Gaitors, Microspikes, Mountain Hardwear Mountaineering Mittens, Mountain Hardwear Fleece Hat and Scarf.
• Pack: Osprey Aura 50 2nd Generation

Gabrielle also carried: EMS long sleeve TechWick 2, Patagonia Windproof Fleece Jacket, EMS Glacier Down Jacket, and North Face Down Booties.

Notes: We are off to our first hut stay! Winter is right around the corner but we are still in the Fall season. Microspikes went out as soon as we left the car and stayed on during the entire trip. The trail was very packed down and broken in up to the hut. We dropped our overnight gear at the hut and made our way to South Carter. Trail was in great shape but past S. Carter the trail had seen very little traffic towards Middle Carter. We were breaking trail and at time were in snow up to our knees. Snow shoes were not needed but we sure wish we had them on some parts. One of the best parts of hiking in the cold is the food you can bring and we enjoyed nice cheese and meat platter on the Middle Carter summit before making our way back towards Carter Dome. As the sun set it began to snow, we were well prepared for the weather and actually enjoyed the scenery. Again, we were breaking trail getting up to Carter Dome and at times it was quite exhausting without snowshoes. We summited in the dark which was still a beautiful sight.   

Back at the hut we fried up a steak, some instant potatoes and string beans. The food choice for the night was my idea (Matt) and to be honest we can do better than this in the future! Matt convinced the caretaker to bake up some cookies while Gabrielle sat by the woodstove drinking her Hot coco. The bunk houses for Carter Notch are detached for the hut and we were lucky enough to get our own, 6 person room. We snuggled into a twin bed and put our sleeping pads and 0 Degree EMS Mountain Light side by side on the bed.

 Morning temps were cold and much of our gear was worn while we headed back to the car.