(Daily Mi: 11.0) A great shock to many AT hikers, myself included, is that when you finish the Presidentials, there are still 25 odd miles of White Mountains left before the roadhead to Gorham: First comes a 2000' climb out of Pinkham Notch and over the Wildcats (peaks E-A)(4300'), Carter Notch, the Carters (Carter Dome (4832 ft), Carters Middle and South), Imp, Moriah (4049 ft) and finally a 3000' x 6 mi. descent to the beckoning arms of Gorham NH.

Was raining fairly steadily first thing this a.m. Gave it an hour or so to slow to a intermittent drizzle before attempting to break camp. As a result, by the time I have made the five mile run to the Joe Buck Lodge in the heart of the notch, I have missed breakfast.

Just as well. Hordes of hikers and day tourists in the parking lots around the lodge. I quickly score some trail snacks and cross the road to the Wildcat Peak A approach trail.

Steep climb in a light rain (hand over hand in some sections). Enjoy passing folks on the way up and end up taking the hill at a near to dead run. Semi-exposed summit and rigeline.

Meet a few lacksidasical southbounders crossing from Peak A to Peak B. Find Old Hank in the observation tower on top of Peak B. Stop for lunch and a nice chat although, with the low cloud cover, there is not much to observe.

The climb down into Carter Notch is steep, knobby and rainslicked. Carter Notch itself is just beautiful. Particularly today, in the mist, it is like stumbling onto a lost world, a little aboreal paradise nestled between a pair of imposing granite faces.

Had intended to climb out of the Notch and onto an AMC campsite another 5 miles northwest, but I was seduced into staying by the beauty of the place.

The AMC's Carter Notch Hut is sited on a pretty little pond in the center of the notch.

It is the only 'self-service' hut in the AMC's system. This means there is a caretaker but no croo. The kitchen facilities are available in shifts to the hikers, and beds are available for 30.00 rather than 50.00

It is a busy weekend and through a series of mishaps, I end up with free slot in croo room for the night (which is just fine by me).

Have dinner with Mainframe in the dining room. He spent last night at Joe Buck Lodge is also hiking to Gorham tomorrow.