| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Zealand Mountain, Mt. Guyot, West Bond, Mt. Bond, Bondcliff, NH |
|
 | Trails: |
Zealand Trail, Twinway, Zeacliff Pond Spur, Zealand Spur, Bondcliff Trail, West Bond Spur |
|
 | Date of Hike: |
Thursday, September 27, 2012 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Half a dozen cars when I arrived, nearly full on return. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Standing/Running Water on Trail |
|
 | Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None to speak of other than above Zealand Falls, an easy hop today. |
|
 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Trails all in great shape, a bit damp in the morning, but dried out nicely. No blowdowns. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Saw many, many dogs later in the day, all seemed to be having an awesome time. |
|
 | Bugs: |
None. |
|
 | Lost and Found: |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Comments: |
A chilly, windy day, so why not try a big hike? Started out in the dark at 5:53am, and made it up to Zealand hut about 15 minutes before breakfast. I didn't linger long, and was on Zeacliff by 7:30, getting some cloudy views. Pushing on, I stopped by Zeacliff Pond, and made it to Zealand by 8:30... wonderful view. Sallying forth, I crested the summit of Guyot just before 9. I was shocked at the time I was making, and I had good energy, so I didn't break, and kept going for it. West Bond at 9:40, Bond at 10:10, and Bondcliff at 10:35. Then, I decided to take a break, only for about 30 minutes, because the climb back up Bond was looming. I arrived back on Bond at 11:45, and said my goodbyes to Bondcliff. The rest of the hike was a breeze, though the ups hurt a bit, and I got some good views from Zeacliff on the way down. Lots of people out today, some bundled up more than others. I personally wore a short sleeve and long sleeve all day, and from just below West Bond, all the way down to Zeacliff, I had on a winter shell to keep the chill away. This was my longest hike to date, 20 miles, 5700 feet of gain. Book time is listed as 12 hours 50 minutes, but I rolled in to the parking lot at 3:11pm, 9 hours 18 minutes... beating book time by 3 hours 32 minutes... awesome!!! |
|
 | Name: |
Bill Robichaud |
|
 | E-Mail: |
bill.robichaud@gmail.com |
|
| Date Submitted: |
2012-09-27 |
|
 | Link: |
 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.494583477220690.123249.100000071269072&type=1&l=6e9f6a5d5c |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|
