Climbing Cardigan:

A Geographic Adventure!

September 27 - 29, 2015

by Piya B

red group day 2 block 3

Location

> At N 43 degrees, 38 minutes W 71 degrees, 54 minutes, Mt Cardigan is located in the lakes region of central-western New Hampshire, just east of Lebanon. The Cardigan AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club) Lodge, where our school trip stayed, is located in Alexandria, NH, although Cardigan Mountain State Forest, which surrounds the mountain, is also partially in the town of Orange, NH. Part of the Appalachian mountain range, Mt Cardigan is right between Orange Mountain and Mt Firescrew, two slightly smaller peaks. Cardigan is roughly 55 miles away from Hopkinton, NH, and about 120 miles from Boston, MA. To the east of Mt Cardigan is Newfound Lake, which is an approximate 35 miles away and is visible from the summit. The mountain and the state park are both located in the Grafton County of New Hampshire, which is just north of the Merrimack county, where we live. The address of the Cardigan AMC Lodge is 774 Shem Valley Rd, Alexandria, NH, 03222, and the absolute location is N 43 degrees, 38 minutes and 59.6 seconds, w 71 degrees, 52 minutes and 41.9 seconds.

Place

At 3,155 feet, Mt Cardigan is an enjoyable, beautiful, and fairly-easy hike, its vast mountain views and diverse nature attractive to people from all over. My experience was definitely wonderful; I hiked up Mt Firescrew, across to Mt Cardigan, then down part of Orange Mountain. Although it was only late September, the colorful fall foliage was already beginning to show, making the hike even more beautiful. The mountains had three distinct zones that changed as the altitude increased: Hardwood/Deciduous, Boreal, and Alpine. Each zone had distinct and different nature and wildlife. According to some of the group leaders, the well-known bare rock summit of Cardigan is not really due to altitude, like most mountains. It was actually caused by a terrible forest fire in the late 1800s that wiped out most trees. The climb was very pleasant, and as we got higher, the trails got steeper and steeper. The view was absolutely beautiful as well; we could see many surrounding mountains, a windmill power plant, and a few lakes. During the hike, we saw many signs of wildlife, such as droppings, tree markings, owl pellets, and the animals themselves (squirrels, chipmunks, and birds).

Not only was the hiking element at Cardigan Mountain amazing; the lodge and the people there were incredible as well. From the games we played to the food, I had an astounding amount of fun. The group leaders, Bekha, Hope, Tabitha (Tabby), and my leader, Robin, inspired me to have a stronger appreciation for nature and wildlife, and made it enjoyable through games. One of my favorites was the bat and bug game, where a blindfolded bat had to try and catch the bug, using only the sound of a shaker carried and shook by the bug. Meal times were enjoyable as well, with great food, from marble cake to perfectly crisp bacon, and, of course, the ort report song.The campfire was also great; we told stories, sang songs, and came up with skits. Of course, having close friends there with me also heightened the experience. In free time, we would drink hot chocolate in the library, play soccer in the field, or card games by the fireplace. Memories were made both on the trail and in the lodge that I will surely never forget.

Our group was at Cardigan for a total of three days, each one different from the others, and all of them amazing; September 27 (Sunday), September 28 (Monday), and September 29 (Tuesday)