Carter Ledge  Photos:  Recent | Best | Popular Lat, Long:  43.9667, -71.2577 Map Page Views:  1,776. Good page? (1 like)    Administrators:  Jay Knower, M Sprague, lee hansche, Tom Erickson Submitted By:  Brad White North Conway on Oct 13, 2012 Make this area a Favorite What's New   Print a Mini-Guide with routes Add Route  Add Photo  Add Comment  Add Event  Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon 75° | 57° 70° | 45° 52° | 43° 55° | 41° 66° | 39°

BETA PHOTO: Carter Ledge from near the summit of Mt. Chocorua

Description 

Carter Ledge is the often looked at south facing low angled looking slab seen from Rt. 16 while driving North near Chocorua Lake. Carter Ledge can be clearly seen looking east from the summit of Mt.Chocorua. This attractive cliff is located on the ridge leading to the Three Sisters peaks and has a hiking trail to its summit. This is an incredibility beautiful slab climb in a not to remote location with the spectacular backdrop of Mt. Chocorua over your left shoulder. The white granite is amazingly clean and solid with good natural protection where you need it.

Getting There 

Hiking Directions to Carter Ledge

You can approach Carter Ledge two different ways. Both ways involve a two plus mile hike so this climb is not for the belay off your bumper crowd. Start at the Piper Trail in Albany and hike 1.2 miles to the Nickerson Ledge Trail on the right. Follow the Nickerson Ledge Trail to its Junction with the Carter Ledge Trail in .8 miles.

The alternative is to start in the White Ledge Campground in Albany and follow the Carter Ledge Trail itself 2 miles to the same junction. This way seems a bit easier as it follows a gently rising trail the whole way. From the junction hike about .3 miles up the trail till an open slab can be seen just left of the trail. Hike up a few more steps till the trail turns sharply to the right. Move left up and across the top of the slabs in the woods just below another set of short slabs above. Bushwhack/traverse left (west) across the slope keeping at the same elevation for about 10-15 minutes and you will intersect the bottom of the slab. Do not drop to low on the hillside or you might hike right on by.

Carter Ledge is obvious when you see it as it is very clean perfect granite with occasional Jack Pines growing out of its open face. This cliff has been climbed before (possibly many times) but never officially recorded that I could find. The second time I climbed Carter Ledge an old fixed angle piton was found at half height. The approach takes between one and a half to two hours with the majority of the hiking on the trail.

The Classics

Featured Route For Carter Ledge

Sachem 5.5  NH : Carter Ledge

P1- Start up the slab section and go through an opening with small trees on climbers left and a small birch trees on right. Sling trees or continue strait up to a black water stain, laced with cool pockets for pro. Follow the black streak to a bulge. Climb just left of the black streak over the bulge placing more gear. Trend left and cruise the slab to the head wall for a gear anchor in the awesome vertical crack 140’+.P2- To be continuedP3- To be continued...[more]   Browse More Classics in NH

Photos of Carter Ledge Slideshow

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View of Chocorua from Carter Ledge	The top of Carter Ledge near the trail.	Bottom of the Slab on Living the Dream.
View up the center of Carter Ledge from the lonely...	BETA PHOTO: Carter Ledge Photo Topo	BETA PHOTO: The lonely Belay Tree on Carter Ledge Direct from ...