The Bonds

May 16, 2015

Deb, Ivan, and I stayed in a motel in the town of Twin Mountain. Richard the taxi driver arrived and drove us to Lincoln Woods so we cound spend the next two or three days walking back. The day was cloudy with a few spits of rain, but at least it was warm so we were soon stripped down to t-shirts as we booted along the old railbed following the Pemi River. The water levels were low which was a relief. Deb and I did not want a repeat performance of last year. The streams we did encounter were either bridged or easily rock hopped. After a couple hours of flat hiking, we left the river and began to climb. The climb up Bondcliff was very gentle with lots of long sweeping traverses. Ivan was getting tired and slowing down as he was recovering from a flu, so Deb and I took turns hanging back and scooting ahead. At 4000' we began to encounter some snow, but it was easily walked through. Finally we arrived on the summit of Bondcliff and met a couple who were hiking the entire Pemi loop over several days. We had lunch up here and enjoyed the view. Even though it was cloudy, the ceiling was high so we could see all the mountains around us. A lovely exposed ridgeline took us over to Bond, though we encountered some more significant snow near the summit. Though this was the highest of the Bond Range, it was the least impressive summit. Another break and we began the descent. Debbie and I took some of Ivan's load and then I scooted ahead to the Guyot campsite. I dropped my pack and then went back up until I met the others and grabbed Ivan's pack to help him down to the site. After setting up camp on a wooden platform, Deb and I headed back up to climb West Bond while Ivan took a nap. This trail was packed with a lot of snow, but with careful balancing you could stay on top of the monorail. One mis-step though, and you were plunged up to your hip. In short order though, we reached the summit and met a half dozen friendly folk enjoying a summit beer. Deb and I spent some time up here enjoying the views of the local summits in and out of the clouds, before finally descending back down to camp. As we ate supper, the campground filled up with an incredible amount of people. We were fortunate to arrive early enough to get one of the more secluded tent platforms (and to have any space at all). The lean-to looks to be quite cozy tonight as the stragglers pack themselves into the only beds remaining.

Pemigewasset River is running a little lower this year.