MattC
New member
- Joined
- Sep 2, 2004
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Finally made it over to the White Mountains this past weekend, after hearing so much from friends and reading so much on this site and in books. I was not disappointed. I ended up going on very short notice Friday PM, and left Kingston, NY w/ Nancy and Bruce about 8 PM, a very late start considering that we had about a 6 hour drive. We shared the driving shifts and managed to get to Dawn's (Hike the 115) condo in North Conway at about 2 AM. Dawn and all of our other friends were well into dreamland at this point, so we quietly made our way in and crashed. The entire crew except T-max was setting out for a NEHH at a reasonable hour in the AM.
T-max on the other hand, was setting out for a long hike a bit earlier. After a short night, she gently awoke me around 6 w/ headlamp shining to see if I was still going w/ her. After some tea and oatmeal, I decided to go for it. She was doing a traverse of Zealand and the Bonds. I borrowed Dawn's car and followed T-max to the Lincoln Woods trailhead, where we left her car. She then joined me and directed me back around to RT 93, 302 and the Zealand Rd. I was enjoying just driving around on the remarkably scenic roads.
We set out from the Zealand trailhead a little before 9, another very late start for a long journey. At this point I figured I had at least helped T-max spot her car, and I would probably just hike to Zealand and back out, since I was concerned that I just be too exhausted later in the day to do this long hike. The first mile or so was on flat, easy ground, I was feeling great, and the pretty beaver-impacted areas only added to my sense of well-being. By the time we reached Zealand Hut, I was leaning towards doing the whole traverse.
We enjoyed a very nice vista from a lookout ledge a bit off the trail, and a short while after that we were on the viewless Zealand. Nice sign at least.
There was a small party there, one of whom had just finished climbing the 48. I made the decision, and T-max and I motored on. Next mountain was Guyot, named for the great surveyor. Absolutely breathtaking views from this one. T-max told me this was a much better taste of what the Whites are all about than Zealand. I believe she was right.
Back down into the woods for a rest and snacking, then up towards the West Bond spur and out and back to West Bond pretty quickly. We had seen quite a few other people so far, mostly backpackers and hut folks. There were four guys who kept going a little farther on the range, although they had to return to Zealand Hut for the night. IIRC two headed back after West Bond, and the other two went all the way to Bondcliff.
Anyhow, we had really been cruising along, only stopping briefly for photos. I still felt great though, and we were making excellent time. The views from Bond were again superb, and then the traverse along that ridge just blew me away. Wow. Definitely wow. The initimate view of slides on West Bond seemed really familiar to me, and then I realized that it was from the cover of the AMC trail guide. Hey, I'm learning stuff here! We took a few more pics w/ T-max's camera (film!), including one I took of her standing on that famous cliff. In addition to the marvelous terrain, I was also admiring the krumholtz (sp?) and other alpine flora. Looked like a lot of Labrador Tea around. Must be nice in the summer.
It was 3:30 or so when we arrived at Bondcliff and we finally sat down for more than 10 minutes. We left a little after 4. Everyone had said the trail back down to the Wilderness Trail was very steep, so I was happy that we still had plenty of light. As it turns out, the slope is indeed steep, but IMO that trail is so well built that the steepness is rarely a problem. There was one little ledgy bit not far below the summit that was easy to negotiate, then lots of switchbacks, well-done sidehills, stone stairs, etc. In fact, I'd like to say here that most of the trail I walked on Saturday was a sheer joy. My hat is off to the workers that designed, built and continue to maintain these paths.
We arrived back down on the old railroad grade with sunlight to spare, and began the final schlep. Headlamps were donned after 30 minutes or so, and we passed the time by talking about our Dead show experiences of many years ago, among other things. Soon we were back at Lincoln Woods, a few hairs under 11 hours after starting out. Then it was just a car retrieval and drive back to the condo for Indian food, beer and laughter with the other merry folk there assembled. Lights out before midnight. So wholesome, we were.
Matt
T-max on the other hand, was setting out for a long hike a bit earlier. After a short night, she gently awoke me around 6 w/ headlamp shining to see if I was still going w/ her. After some tea and oatmeal, I decided to go for it. She was doing a traverse of Zealand and the Bonds. I borrowed Dawn's car and followed T-max to the Lincoln Woods trailhead, where we left her car. She then joined me and directed me back around to RT 93, 302 and the Zealand Rd. I was enjoying just driving around on the remarkably scenic roads.
We set out from the Zealand trailhead a little before 9, another very late start for a long journey. At this point I figured I had at least helped T-max spot her car, and I would probably just hike to Zealand and back out, since I was concerned that I just be too exhausted later in the day to do this long hike. The first mile or so was on flat, easy ground, I was feeling great, and the pretty beaver-impacted areas only added to my sense of well-being. By the time we reached Zealand Hut, I was leaning towards doing the whole traverse.
We enjoyed a very nice vista from a lookout ledge a bit off the trail, and a short while after that we were on the viewless Zealand. Nice sign at least.
There was a small party there, one of whom had just finished climbing the 48. I made the decision, and T-max and I motored on. Next mountain was Guyot, named for the great surveyor. Absolutely breathtaking views from this one. T-max told me this was a much better taste of what the Whites are all about than Zealand. I believe she was right.
Back down into the woods for a rest and snacking, then up towards the West Bond spur and out and back to West Bond pretty quickly. We had seen quite a few other people so far, mostly backpackers and hut folks. There were four guys who kept going a little farther on the range, although they had to return to Zealand Hut for the night. IIRC two headed back after West Bond, and the other two went all the way to Bondcliff.
Anyhow, we had really been cruising along, only stopping briefly for photos. I still felt great though, and we were making excellent time. The views from Bond were again superb, and then the traverse along that ridge just blew me away. Wow. Definitely wow. The initimate view of slides on West Bond seemed really familiar to me, and then I realized that it was from the cover of the AMC trail guide. Hey, I'm learning stuff here! We took a few more pics w/ T-max's camera (film!), including one I took of her standing on that famous cliff. In addition to the marvelous terrain, I was also admiring the krumholtz (sp?) and other alpine flora. Looked like a lot of Labrador Tea around. Must be nice in the summer.
It was 3:30 or so when we arrived at Bondcliff and we finally sat down for more than 10 minutes. We left a little after 4. Everyone had said the trail back down to the Wilderness Trail was very steep, so I was happy that we still had plenty of light. As it turns out, the slope is indeed steep, but IMO that trail is so well built that the steepness is rarely a problem. There was one little ledgy bit not far below the summit that was easy to negotiate, then lots of switchbacks, well-done sidehills, stone stairs, etc. In fact, I'd like to say here that most of the trail I walked on Saturday was a sheer joy. My hat is off to the workers that designed, built and continue to maintain these paths.
We arrived back down on the old railroad grade with sunlight to spare, and began the final schlep. Headlamps were donned after 30 minutes or so, and we passed the time by talking about our Dead show experiences of many years ago, among other things. Soon we were back at Lincoln Woods, a few hairs under 11 hours after starting out. Then it was just a car retrieval and drive back to the condo for Indian food, beer and laughter with the other merry folk there assembled. Lights out before midnight. So wholesome, we were.
Matt
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