Jim Salge Photography Blog

Images of New England captured in dramatic light and atmosphere

Carter Notch Trip – Full Recap!

Many of my trips to the White Mountains are made purely for the enjoyment of the mountains, and the hope of sharing that enjoyment on film. Leading the Outing Club at the high school that I teach at on trips adds an extra dimension to that sharing. Students get to experience the outdoors, gain an appreciation for natural systems, and become open to the beauty in the world around them, all while participating in healthy activities that they will hopefully continue for the rest of their lives. I consider it a true investment.

This weekend, I led a trip to the AMC’s Carter Notch Hut via Pinkham Notch for an overnight stay. The conditions were perfect for winter hiking: hard packed snow with minimal ice, seasonably mild temperatures in the teens and 20s, light wind and an occasional gently falling snow. The first day went just as smoothly as it could go!

Sunday morning I awoke in the notch at a bit before 6AM to capture the sunrise, and crawled out of my bed to find a fox on the front porch. Continued wandering found limited light, but much of the fine feelings of waking up in a place that inspires awe with its beauty. When I returned to the bunkhouses, the students were excited that the fox was still around. He was curious, inquisitive and though a bit skittish, was clearly tolerant of our presence. I managed to get a few nice sets of shots off before he moved on.

Jim Salge Photography - Carter Notch Fox II

Jim Salge Photography - Carter Notch Fox II

On the trip down, we took a break next to the Nineteen Mile Brook. With the absence of recent snowfall, all of the detail and beauty that is usually concealed in a frozen stream was on display. I concentrated on some areas where open water was surrounded by a frozen landscape, and was most pleased by this shot about a mile from the bottom.

Jim Salge Photography - Icy Falls and Flow

Jim Salge Photography - Icy Falls and Flow

This shot would have capped off a perfect trip, but unfortunately, there was a cruel Valentine’s surprise waiting for us at the bottom. Overnight, vandals had smashed my and my co-leaders cars in the lot, and made off with some of our electronics.

Cruel Lessons 

As teachers, we like to make every moment a teachable moment, but to our students who lost their cell phones, ipods and innocent sense of security that morning, there was little we could we could do to console them after their return to the oft cruel, civilized world. The cold drive home didn’t help either…

This morning, I have a new window, a new checking account, and have a new Wolverine portable storage devise on order. A minor setback, a major inconvenience, and a lesson learned…but this one experience certainly cannot dampen my love of the Whites!

2 Responses to “Carter Notch Trip – Full Recap!”

  1. Chris Proulx says:

    Great pics as always, Jim. Sorry to hear about the car.

    I used to hear stories of the Carter Notch Hut winter caretaker spraying Chanel #5 perfume around the outside to attract foxes and fishers. It supposedly worked very well. Makes you wonder what the secret ingredient is in Chanel #5, and think twice before putting it on your neck. Not me of course, but… someone who might ordinarily wear it. Ah never mind. Nice fox.

  2. JB Brown says:

    I have a few shots of that red fox too. Love him!
    JBTHEMILKER

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