Dave Bear
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- Joined
- Dec 13, 2007
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After reading Sherpa John’s TR about a trip out to Bondcliff recently I got inspired to do it as a backpack from the Lincoln Woods end. I am by no means fast so my plan was to head in the day or night before and camp on Bondcliff Trail. This way I could make one or two summit attempts from my base camp. Also I could go after all three Bonds if I took shelter one night at Guyot. Then I heard of at least three groups heading into the same area and decided Saturday would be fun up top.
Long hours and weekend work meant Thursday night would be spent building a new pulk, ’08 got totaled out last year. Friday I finished packing ate dinner with the family and headed in late.
Toes on trail at 11:30 PM has some nice things to offer. No crowds, no distractions and plenty of time to get in your own head and enjoy how peaceful the wilderness is. I was blessed with failing batteries on my headlamp (have spare lamp & batteries), which I set on the low setting. This way I could just see the trail at my feet and not the miles stretching out ahead of me. The night was overcast and warm and LW went quickly as it was well packed. I reached Franconia Brook at 12:30 AM and thought how I’m beating booktime pulling a sled. By Bondcliff Trail I was only ahead five minutes, so much for the early night.
About two miles up Bondcliff Trail after a crossing at 2100 feet I made camp but was to beat to push a long ways out into the woods. 5:00 AM, its time for a nap. About 7:30 AM I heard the first hiker “Rocket” by and by 8:30 AM I was keeping company to folks headed up. It was turning out to be a beautiful day despite the artic chill and strong winds that had replaced the warm low.
Almost at the alpine zone and Donna, who had passed me, Stev-o and Jeremy were already coming back down. Donna gave me sound advice to not try for all three peaks and that just getting to Bondcliff summit was difficult. Once above treeline the winds were very fierce and steady with brief opportunities where you weren’t getting pushed around. It was great to reach the summit and turn around to see friends there to share it with. Darlene, Frodo, Lloyd and Neighbor Dave had just arrived. We all scouted the col to see if Mats and others were coming across.
I took a walk over to the first rock of the precipice and was promptly placed on my backside by the winds coming up out of Hellgate valley. Slightly daunted I did a video clip on my second walk and avoided the last rock. As I turned around the wind kicked up and I got a second video of Darlene and Frodo being pinned down. Without a video the mountain looked serene but even the video can’t compare to the shear strength and raw energy that was present.
Last time I visited Bondcliff it was a calm beautiful day and I was in awe of the amazing cliff that had stood gallantly against the test of time. Today I was humbled by witnessing a small slice of what this dignified and beautiful wilderness endures. It truly is an altar as some have said and already I am anxious to visit it again. Many thanks to those that support this inspirational place!
The afternoon retreated to evening as I made my way back out. The cold had settled in and the trees creaked loudly throughout the woods. It felt as miles had been added to Lincoln Woods and the Wilderness Trail while I was on the mountain but again I shared the trail with no one but the night. Often I looked back on long straights hoping to see Mats overtaking me. I was happy to greet him with Jeff and congratulate him at the TH for finishing his traverse and Winter48. Well done big guy!!!
Slideshow:http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/569792051UwbDPd
Long hours and weekend work meant Thursday night would be spent building a new pulk, ’08 got totaled out last year. Friday I finished packing ate dinner with the family and headed in late.
Toes on trail at 11:30 PM has some nice things to offer. No crowds, no distractions and plenty of time to get in your own head and enjoy how peaceful the wilderness is. I was blessed with failing batteries on my headlamp (have spare lamp & batteries), which I set on the low setting. This way I could just see the trail at my feet and not the miles stretching out ahead of me. The night was overcast and warm and LW went quickly as it was well packed. I reached Franconia Brook at 12:30 AM and thought how I’m beating booktime pulling a sled. By Bondcliff Trail I was only ahead five minutes, so much for the early night.
About two miles up Bondcliff Trail after a crossing at 2100 feet I made camp but was to beat to push a long ways out into the woods. 5:00 AM, its time for a nap. About 7:30 AM I heard the first hiker “Rocket” by and by 8:30 AM I was keeping company to folks headed up. It was turning out to be a beautiful day despite the artic chill and strong winds that had replaced the warm low.
Almost at the alpine zone and Donna, who had passed me, Stev-o and Jeremy were already coming back down. Donna gave me sound advice to not try for all three peaks and that just getting to Bondcliff summit was difficult. Once above treeline the winds were very fierce and steady with brief opportunities where you weren’t getting pushed around. It was great to reach the summit and turn around to see friends there to share it with. Darlene, Frodo, Lloyd and Neighbor Dave had just arrived. We all scouted the col to see if Mats and others were coming across.
I took a walk over to the first rock of the precipice and was promptly placed on my backside by the winds coming up out of Hellgate valley. Slightly daunted I did a video clip on my second walk and avoided the last rock. As I turned around the wind kicked up and I got a second video of Darlene and Frodo being pinned down. Without a video the mountain looked serene but even the video can’t compare to the shear strength and raw energy that was present.
Last time I visited Bondcliff it was a calm beautiful day and I was in awe of the amazing cliff that had stood gallantly against the test of time. Today I was humbled by witnessing a small slice of what this dignified and beautiful wilderness endures. It truly is an altar as some have said and already I am anxious to visit it again. Many thanks to those that support this inspirational place!
The afternoon retreated to evening as I made my way back out. The cold had settled in and the trees creaked loudly throughout the woods. It felt as miles had been added to Lincoln Woods and the Wilderness Trail while I was on the mountain but again I shared the trail with no one but the night. Often I looked back on long straights hoping to see Mats overtaking me. I was happy to greet him with Jeff and congratulate him at the TH for finishing his traverse and Winter48. Well done big guy!!!
Slideshow:http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/569792051UwbDPd
