Last nights Bongo Drums must have lulled me to sleep because I was out. At the Huts they all have a special way to wake up the guests. Brian has a xylophone and was singing a song of praise as he hiked to the different dorms. It was much better than any other wake-up song I’ve heard. Breakfast is served promptly at 7am. We had juice and coffee, with oats, pancakes, bacon and eggs. What a great meal to charge us up the many peaks today.

We left late, around 8:30am but have a short day, as it looks on paper. We had Carter Dome as our first climb. It was 1800’ of climbing mostly granite stairs with light bouldering. We took our time and made it to an unremarkable dome that was mostly tree covered.

The highest peak of the Carter Range, Carter Dome 4821’ was once the site of a fire tower, but is now mostly wooded. A partial clearing on the north side of the peak provides a nicely framed view north along the Carter-Moriah Range, and further into Maine along the Mahoosuc Range. This was the first time we could truly see Maine. We checked out the footings of the old fire tower and meandered down.

Our second and much more significant peak was the rocky summit of Mount Hight 4665’, an arm of Carter Dome. It provides 360 degree views of the eastern White Mountains, with phenomenal views east into the Wild River Wilderness, including Baldface Mountain and Mt Royce. To the north and south, there are fine views of the entire Carter-Moriah Range, and some of the Mahoosucs. To the west is a stunning view of the Presidential Range. This was our lunch stop. It was spectacular with panorama views in all directions. There were many others taking in the beauty on top of Mount Hight.

We met Toothbrush the Moose who Norman was quite excited to see. He belongs to a 3 year old that allowed her Dad to take him out to climb all the 4000’ peaks in New Hampshire. Toothbrush and Norman had many stories to share of terrifying climbs, ascents and descents on sheer cliffs along with wicked river crossings and weather phenomenons that they just don’t truly understand. I think some of it was hyped up a bit but they are still recovering from all this stimulation. Norman was living in a Bingo Hall only two months ago with a bunch of Blue Hairs and Toothbrush, he was in a little girls room that has tea parties and plays with dolls. This could be quite frightening for anyone who lived, such a sheltered life!

After lunch, we nodded farewell to our new friend Toothbrush and carried on. We had three more peaks to conquer, South Carter 4411’, Middle Carter 4595’ and North Carter 4515’. As we reached the rocky crag near the summit of North Carter Mountain, it’s interesting that neither Middle or North Carter are considered 4000’ peaks to peakbaggers due to their lack of prominence. It doesn’t matter that they are well over 4000’ but they don’t have what it takes to be a true 4000’. It has something to do with the actual climb from the base to the top and being the three peaks are connected, the South Carter is the only one that is listed in the official 4000’ Peakbaggers’ digest. I learn something new, almost everyday.

Once we finished our climbing, it was a super steep downhill course of, you guessed it, boulders and granite. I really should’ve brought a rope because rappelling would be a worthy challenge out here. And useful as all get out! Cassian aka Cash Money, was traveling with us on the downhill. It was a bit sketchy and you should always be with someone while you’re doing this type of sport. We all pitched in, taking turns, picking lines and figuring out the best route to take. It was challenging to say the least, but also it was a bit of fun too. After two hours, we descended our 1.9 mile course and arrived at Camp Imp.

Imp seems like an odd name for the final campground in the AMC district. As we arrived, I told Mary Poppins to go ahead and set up her tent. The sky was ready to pour down liquid sunshine! And sure as I predicted, I arrived and it started raining. You get to know the weather around here and it’s fairly obvious. Cloudy, thunderheads and wind blowing. I set up my tent next to Mary Poppins on a platform. It’s as good as it gets. Not perfect but solid and once inside, I’m dry as a bone. I needed to get water so loaded up my containers as well as Mary Poppins and filled from the cascading river. I was soaked by the time I got back and hunkered back in my tent. I made my nest, and started dinner.

After eating, the rain stopped and Mary Poppins told me the view from the Shelter was superb. So in my PJ’s I headed over and watched the most beautiful sunset on the trail. All from the comfort of an Adirondack chair that someone constructed from local wood in the forest. Cassian was already sitting on a chair and we talked of our faith. He is a Priest and also blogs about his encounters with God. Seekinggod.Substack.com We sat and watched the sunset with Mary Poppins. It was the perfect ending to our perfect day, on the trail.

As I look back on these past days, I can only thank the Lord for placing these incredible people around me. Blue and Mary Poppins have been the center of it all, and daily the Lord brings others to enhance my experiences out here. Last night Cassian showed up at Carter Notch Hut. He sat with us at dinner and breakfast and we kept running into him on the trail. He is a quiet man with a soul that chases after you Jesus. As I was heading to the Shelter, he was on the side of the trail taking communion. What a beautiful testimony of a man after your own heart. I am in awe of the people you have witnessing to me while I walk in the woods. Thank you Lord for always reminding me of your faithful servants, even when I am miles away from church. This truly is my church right here, right now, on the Appalachian Trail. Amen.