The Bonds - 7/15

[dr_wu002]

I was a lucky boy on Friday and not only did I have the day off but the day off turned out to (finally) be clear and sunny... albiet very humid! The week before I'd been quite disgusted with myself during my Hale to Zeacliff to South and North Twin trip I chickened out on doing the extra few miles to Bond, West Bond and Bondcliff. Actually the previous two weeks I'd been frustrated that both times wimpy hikes got the better of me. So, with the good weather forecast I was in the mood for the Bonds on Friday.

This turned out to be a great day of hiking for me! Despite the hot, humid and sunny weather I felt strong. And, while I realize it's pretty insignificant in comparison to what these speed hikers are doing, I did all three Bonds (23 miles) in about 9 hours including about an hours worth of breaks on West Bond, Bond and Bondcliff and for once I was actually a little proud of myself. It felt good to get a good pace going and stick with it -- in reality though, the Lincoln Woods, Wilderness and Bondcliff Trails are really easy but I'll still be happy.

I can't think of much to write for this one so I'll just jot down some highlights.

1. Four liters of water consumed and still very dehydrated in the end.
I drink a lot of water normally. I thought 4 liters was barely enough and it turned out indeed to be barely enough to keep me alive. I didn't want to carry any more than that although I had my filter and steripen with me. It turned out that I got a bit more dehydrated than I thought at first but nothing serious.

2. Relaxing on Bondcliff & Listening to peace, quiet & Hellgate Brook.
I saw a bunch of people although -- to my knowledge -- no dayhikers other than Dr. Wu. I had West Bond all to myself and the Black Flies (not biting) and Deer Head Flies (DOH! Biting!) so I cut that short quickly. Bond was very beautiful and nice but I ended up relaxing on Bondcliff right before I headed out back to Lincoln Woods. There were two other people on the summit but I managed to Nestle a ways away and just enjoy the sites, sunlight and the sound of Hellgate Brook in the distance. Wonderfully relaxing.

3. Peanut Butter M&M's
Gah! What happens to me in the summer? I never want to eat while I'm hiking and then afterwards too. I had a few handfuls of Peanut Butter M&M's (so good!) and that was it all day. I drove home ok but couldn't even bring myself to crave beer. My stomach is funny sometimes. I didn't have any energy issues at all on this hike. I felt nice and strong.

4. Humidity
This was the nicer of the 3 weekend days in terms of heat and humidity and damn, it was still hot and humid and I sweated a lot! I had nice views though. I feel for those who did this hike Saturday or Sunday though.

5. Bear Pond
One destination that is high up on my list is Bear Pond (Redrock Pond) which is at the base of some of those enormous slides on Guyot. It's a small Mountain Tarn which, until Friday, I had only seen on maps. Now I've seen and photographed it from West Bond.

Speaking of pictures, it's about time to end this rambling so I'll just throw in the obligatory picture link and be done with it.

http://community.webshots.com/album/395999345HeiNIg

-Dr. Wu

 

[jjmcgo]

Great photos

Your trip is one one of the most photographed in the White Mts. yet you managed to come up with numerous shots I've never seen before. Great post.

 

[HikerBob]

Great pics of one of my favourite spots in the Whites Wu!

That unnamed spur you called SW South Twin is the one I fully intend to climb and claim as Mt Bob

I Googled "Mt Bob" to see if there was one out there anywhere... can I just say the results were not as expected

Bob

 

[dr_wu002]

Your trip is one one of the most photographed in the White Mts. yet you managed to come up with numerous shots I've never seen before. Great post.

Thanks! Just out of curiosity though -- which ones would those be?

Great pics of one of my favourite spots in the Whites Wu!

That unnamed spur you called SW South Twin is the one I fully intend to climb and claim as Mt Bob

I Googled "Mt Bob" to see if there was one out there anywhere... can I just say the results were not as expected

Bob

You have to be dead for 5 years before the USGS will consider naming a peak after someone. Hmmmm... I've never met you so, I guess anything is possible. I have seen zombie movies before

Seriously, I always thought that SW Twin was named but two maps that I have in front of me (including topozone) just label it as 4357'. Is it named? Anyone out there? It's on Trailwrights. However, I would really like to get to the secondary peak further down that ridge which appears to have a ledgy, open-ish summit.

-Dr. Wu

 

[jjmcgo]

I like the Hellgate Ravine photos and the photo Franconia and Owl's Head. Look how clearly you can see the route of the stream that comes off Mt. Lafayette and joins the Lincoln Brook Trail approaching 13 Falls. What's the name of the stream? It isn't indicated on the Topozone map I looked at. It's probably named on my WMG maps which are in my wife's car at work.
I liked the Carrigain Notch over West Bond. I like all pix of Carrigain as it was one of the first of the White Mts. I climbed a long time ago. I've never seen that picture of Carrigan and Hancock over Bondcliff Ridge. Also, I like the photos drawing our attention to the logging roads. I couldn't quite figure out where Hellgate Pond is in either picture. I'd love to hike to there.
WARNING everyone: Hikerbob's google search for Mt. Bob takes you to a sexually-oriented website.

 

[dr_wu002]

I couldn't quite figure out where Hellgate Pond is in either picture. I'd love to hike to there.

Thanks!

Actually, it's Bear Pond, also known as Redrock Pond or Redrock Ravine Pond. It's bounded by Southwest Twin, Guyot and West Bond. See picture below.

-Dr. Wu

 

[the starchild]

bear pond

wow, great post dr. woo2.

i've been eyeing that tarn on the AMC pemi map for a while this year and wondered why it isn't on my other map; map adventures white mtns trail map (the easier one to read with mileage's on it)

anyways, i have also wondered how much of a pond it was, or if it was more swampy and most importantly, is it a swimming hole! seemed like a great summer bushwhacking adventure.

do you know anything more about the pond or the whack up the brook?
or down from west bond? we were thinking of trying to do a variation of the bondcliff route that included trying to find the pond as well as whacking to or from the ridge.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Great report - let the pictures do the talking. First time I've seen RedRock (Thanks!)

jjmcgo: open the pic from Wu's original links, then open it full size, maximize it in your browser, then you can clearly see the pond. It must be awesome standing at RedRock, "Bond"ing with nature

 

[dr_wu002]

Great report - let the pictures do the talking. First time I've seen RedRock (Thanks!)

jjmcgo: open the pic from Wu's original links, then open it full size, maximize it in your browser, then you can clearly see the pond. It must be awesome standing at RedRock, "Bond"ing with nature

Or he can check out the attachment in my third post in this thread as well! I circled it in red. It is a little obscured though... but, planning a trip there this weekend. According to Steve Smith the pond is fed underground. Should be a fun time.

So, "let the pictures do the talking." -- does that mean I was doing too much? I feel like I talk too much but other people's trip reports are oftentimes much longer than mine. Maybe it's the long lists of 'impressions' that put everyone to sleep. Peanut Butter M&M's.... C'mon!?

-Dr. Wu

 

[SherpaKroto]

Not at all. The Pics were just so awesome, that words were not necessary. You need to try Kit Kat Bites

 

[J&J]

I hope you don't mind Dr. Wu but I've attached some pictures of Red Rock Pond. It's a very special place. Handle with care.

 

[dr_wu002]

I hope you don't mind Dr. Wu but I've attached some pictures of Red Rock Pond. It's a very special place. Handle with care.

Thanks for posting those photos... they're wonderful. It does look like a special place. Can't wait to visit sometime...

-Dr. Wu

 

[sapblatt]

Great report

D. Wu -
Great report and great images...truly magnificent.
Water is always an issue in the heat...I had a similar problem with 5 liters and 16 miles in VT this weekend. Should have filtered more when I had the chance, but convinced myself I would be OK - stupid....
Food too...never really want to eat much when it is that hot...I manage to force myself, but I did not even want my M & Ms!
Cannot wait for the Bonds!!

 

[yam]

great photos! i can't wait to see the bonds myself.

 

[MichaelJ]

Sweet! I've got to get into Redrock Pond with the camera sometime - I love wilderness ponds, and this one, butted up against that slide, looks mighty fine!