The Slomo Bonds Traverse 6/19

[Puck]

Hey puck... HIKE4KS... thats my plate. Gold malibu... and yes.. that was us!

Haven't you seen the movie yet?! It's in the film!

Sorry SJ. I have not seen the movie yet. And I have ot entered into the 21st century yet...I don't own aDVD player.

I do hope to catch it soon...Is it ever going to play down in Connecticut?

 

[prino]

Great Trip

Bob, Amy and Mary Ellen

Really enjoyed reading this report and viewing the great pics you all took.

Thanks for sharing.

-Phil

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

Indeed, a classic traverse; nice pics! I began about 7 hours behind you, but alas, with only one vehicle, began and ended at the Hale Brook Trailhead, so that I could nab Mts. Zealand and Hale for the month of June. By early afternoon on my arrival at Zealand Hut, the Sun was making a strong showing, and I was wishing that I had a car spot at Lincoln Woods for later in the evening. How about a strawberry full moon night traverse of something?

 

[yam]

Beautiful pics!! Thanks for posting the links to them.

 

[Pammy]

Hey Hiker Bob!

I just did the Bonds and South Twin on the 19th too and bumped into you HikerBob several times. I was with 3 other women (I was the one with the blue baseball cap).

We had an AWESOME hike. Hiked in the rain on Saturday up to the Galehead Hut. Stayed over night and hiked 16 miles on Sunday, in GLORIOUS weather.
3 more checkmarks for me.

Doing the Presi-Traverse at the end of August, and hiking Longs Peak in Colorado in 3 weeks. Can't wait!!

My pictures of the Bond trip are at:
http://www.pam.photosite.com/BondHike/ (click on "View Slideshow" at the top center)

Happy Hiking!!!
Pam

 

[MichaelJ]

My pictures of the Bond trip are at:

Clearly it was all those wine bottles that slowed you down to HikerBob's pace.


Welcome to VFTT, Pam!

 

[vegematic]

Mystery Plants

Beautiful Pictures! Reminds me that I have to get my SO up there this summer.

As for your mystery plants, I believe that #3 is a Bog Laurel, #4 is Cotton Sedge, #5 is Labrador Tea, #6 looks like a blueberry, #7 has two plants-the one with the white cluster flower looks like Lab. Tea, and the flowerless one with the red stem and rounder leaves I don't know, #8 is Mountain Cranberry (and some #6 blueberry).

I'll admit to having double checked some of these in my field guide...I don't claim to be an expert by any means. Anyone care to confirm or correct my IDs?
-vegematic

 

[HikerBob]

Pam - welcome to VFTT

It was great meeting you and your great group on Sunday but I don't recall any of you being particularly slowed by the grape juice Good luck on your Presi Traverse!

Veg - thanks for the plant ID's I'll add them in later

For anyone tempted to do this trip check out Trips and Events - Cloudwalker is looking for company. Dang, I might just do again myself

Bob

 

[MEB]

Hey HikerBob I didn't think I'd be hearing you say you'd be up for the traverse again so soon! I think what slowed you down was all that water you were carrying.....how much did you have with you???

Welcome Pam!

-MEB

 

[HikerBob]

OK - so I overestimated my fluid requirements a tad, but I expected it to be a lot hotter and I am a sweater

I'll fess up and admit I started out with 5.5 litres of fluids, but I only had 1.5 at the end. I've finished off 4 litres and had to ration myself on shorter, hotter hikes.

I bring Gatorade for ongoing electolyte/energy needs, Cran-grape for snack breaks (Gatorade tastes like cr#p with food) and a couple of frozen water bottles to keep everything nice and cool, for a late hike treat and to wash any wounds.

I guess I should get a filter and learn to restock on route

As far as slowing me down, the extra weight probably doesn't make that much difference to me. My lungs just don't work properly. I was just as slow going over to West Bond with only the small Mountainsmith bum-bag (great little pack!) lugging the camera and a couple of bottles.

Despite being a slug I still managed Zealand in book time and the Bondcliff Trail junciton in a shade over with all the stops.

You up for a repeat trip? I'm very tempted but would skip West Bond.

Bob

 

[poison ivy]

I guess I should get a filter and learn to restock on route

Indeed, it wasn't the amount of water you were carrying that I was surprised at, as much as the dozens of bottles and little cooler thing!

- Ivy

 

[HikerBob]

Not quite dozens. The cool bag (think soft shell, insulated lunch bag) holds 8 half litre water bottles. The bag weighs very little and the bottles are light too. The beauty of it is that the bag is insulated and with a frozen water bottle or two everything stays cool. After many hours in the baking heat on Franconia Ridge a few weeks ago I still had ice in one of the water bottles and boy! Did that go down well towards the end of the trip

btw - I remember MEB took a picture of it at the Wilderness trail junction but I guess she tried to spare me embarrassment by not posting it on Webshots

So Ivy... you up for the traverse again?

Bob

 

[poison ivy]

Once you start backpacking, you'll be trying to cut all that extra weight from the plastic bottles out, trust me!

I'd love to do another traverse.... but I'm getting pretty booked up for the summer. On the holiday weekend, I already have plans to do some backpacking in Maine... so you'll just have to go without me!

- Ivy

 

[Pammy]

Thanks

Thank you all for the Welcome!! I've been lurking a bit reading your stories. Thought it was about time to say hello!!

Bye
Pam

 

[Puck]

this is a great thread with great pics. Last Sept I hiked to Guyout Campsite from Zealand road in the dark and fog. I was coming over Mt Guyout and was thinking about what some of my friends told me...I was stupid to hike in the dark. I knew there was nothing to be afraid of. At that moment I saw this white quartz rock glowing in my headlamp beam, shrouded with mist. I thought it was a human skull. Just for a moment. I still get a laugh remembering how I spooked myself.