marty
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- Apr 9, 2004
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I decided to be a little bit more focused on the NH 48 4000 footers during my summer vacation. When Wednesday's forecast called for mostly sunny and in the 70's, I begged my wife to let me do the Bonds. She happily agreed!
Having never done a 20 mile hike, I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time. Got up at 2:30, got in the car at 3 and headed out from our camp in Rangeley, Maine. The drive to Zealand was interesting, but a bit scary. It was just me, logging trucks and 7 moose, most which were right on Route 16 between Rangeley and Errol, NH. Never fun driving Moose Alley in the dark.
Hit the trail at 5:45. Found the trails quite wet from a previous day thunderstorm. Cruised quickly however to Zealand Hut and then started the steady ascent up Twinway. Stopped at Zeacliff and got a nice view and headed onward. After some pointless ups and downs, hit Zealand spur, tagged it and headed onward. The fog then rolled in quickly. Guyot was totally socked in the fog. I began to curse the Weather Channel, but said I would do this hike anyway.
Proceeded on Bondcliff Trail to West Bond Spur. Met four very nice teenage girls who had camped at Guyot Shelter and were peakbagging the Bonds. They thought it might be clearing, but only saw fog from West Bond. I too saw only fog.
Onward to Bond. Caught up with the girls and we all ascended it together, just as the fog cleared! I took a group shot of them from the summit. They were going to have lunch, so I headed on alone to Bondcliff.
The ridge from Bond to Bondcliff is beautiful, with tons of views and tasty blueberries too. Spent quite a while on top of Bondcliff, stepping out on the many protuding ledges. I can safely say that it is my favorite New England Mountain to date.
Headed back toward Bond. Saw the girls one last time. Said goodbye and headed back toward Guyot. This time, Guyot was in the clear. What great views and what a nice moonscape!
Headed back across Zealand and back to the truck at 3:25 pm, completing my trip in 9 hours, 20 minutes. Was very proud that this 48 year old body could do this!!
I followed this up today, by doing Owl's Head. Hope to do Isolation next, to complete a trilogy of long hikes.
Marty
Having never done a 20 mile hike, I wanted to make sure I had plenty of time. Got up at 2:30, got in the car at 3 and headed out from our camp in Rangeley, Maine. The drive to Zealand was interesting, but a bit scary. It was just me, logging trucks and 7 moose, most which were right on Route 16 between Rangeley and Errol, NH. Never fun driving Moose Alley in the dark.
Hit the trail at 5:45. Found the trails quite wet from a previous day thunderstorm. Cruised quickly however to Zealand Hut and then started the steady ascent up Twinway. Stopped at Zeacliff and got a nice view and headed onward. After some pointless ups and downs, hit Zealand spur, tagged it and headed onward. The fog then rolled in quickly. Guyot was totally socked in the fog. I began to curse the Weather Channel, but said I would do this hike anyway.
Proceeded on Bondcliff Trail to West Bond Spur. Met four very nice teenage girls who had camped at Guyot Shelter and were peakbagging the Bonds. They thought it might be clearing, but only saw fog from West Bond. I too saw only fog.
Onward to Bond. Caught up with the girls and we all ascended it together, just as the fog cleared! I took a group shot of them from the summit. They were going to have lunch, so I headed on alone to Bondcliff.
The ridge from Bond to Bondcliff is beautiful, with tons of views and tasty blueberries too. Spent quite a while on top of Bondcliff, stepping out on the many protuding ledges. I can safely say that it is my favorite New England Mountain to date.
Headed back toward Bond. Saw the girls one last time. Said goodbye and headed back toward Guyot. This time, Guyot was in the clear. What great views and what a nice moonscape!
Headed back across Zealand and back to the truck at 3:25 pm, completing my trip in 9 hours, 20 minutes. Was very proud that this 48 year old body could do this!!
I followed this up today, by doing Owl's Head. Hope to do Isolation next, to complete a trilogy of long hikes.
Marty
