Return to Bondcliff

Because she missed me. And because all the snow is gone. Awesome overnight with an amazing group of friends, we found a legal campsite and nobody died.

So yeah. Railroad bed 4.4 then up 4.4 and have fun getting back home this is about as remote as they get. We made great time for a larger group, reached the summit around 1:30 Saturday 5/16. A few of us needed Mt Bond also, so I was able to hang out and wait for them at the cliffs, total Bonding time was around 2 hours.

I haven't posted in a while but that doesn't mean I haven't been busy...

I finally started school 15 years later! Southern New Hampshire University is now fighting with my two-year old daughter Lillian for the wealth of freetime that fills my life.

So I've skipped some trip reports... Tecumseh with a sled in Febuary should be an olympic event. I hiked Moosilauke in the snow and finally used my new ice crampons! I took Lily up to Mt Major a few weeks ago, and she didn't hate it the entire time! I will continue writing for my own development, and to further chronicle the adventures of Freedom in this wide world we inhabit.

Expect the best damn summer of hiker blogging this url has ever witnessed. I'm not looking at any lists right now, so I'm cherry picking happy places this year - stay tuned

Snowmageddon! Stay inside

Carter Dome Quest Complete

48 Finish! Carter Dome 4833' and Mt Hight 4675'

Carter Dome trl, Carter-Moriah trl & Nineteen Mile brook

An amazing chapter in my own mountain quest saga has finally come to an end. With Carter Dome under my boots I have completed the officially recognized AMC 4,000 footer club list and plan to apply for membership very soon. Four years ago I started this journey; planned on finishing the 4k list before I was 30 (32 as of this writing so better late then never). Back then I thought of the 48 as a lifetime achievement, since then I've realized its more about the journey then the destination.

Mt Hight has very nice views. The Carter Dome trail had a very easy ascent until you turn off for Mt Hight, so you certainly earn the breathtaking vista of the Presidentials. A very sharp contrast as the spur trail for Hight is practically a wall, no switchbacks just pure business.We were able pick out Carrigain, Bondcliff, and Franconia Ridge off in the distance with a weird view of Chocorua also. 

I have to return for that boulder field. Folks call it "The Ramparts" or something, we just didn't have the time. The hut is only $40 in the winter so I'm thinking it might be appropriate. We found a legal camping spot off 19 mile brook and a short walk out on Sunday morning. Great finish to an epic journey.

I'm taking a break for a while, I feel I may have earned it. I'm looking at the New England 67, the 100 Highest and possibly some Adirondack hikes in the next few years. I think my ultimate goals are just to stay healthy and be ready for big bucket list stuff like a trip to Scotland or Machu Piccu etc.. 

The mountains will call again and I will answer

Mahoosuc Traverse

The Kingdom under the Mountain
Gorham to Grafton on the AT; 30+ miles

DAY1
Mt Hayes 2555'
Cascade Mtn 2631'
Dream Lake
Gentian Pond

DAY2
Mt Success 3565'
Mt Carlo 3565'
Goose Eye Mtn 3870'

DAY3
Fulling Mill Mtn S 3395'
Mahoosuc Notch
Mahoosuc Arm 3765'
Speck Pond Campsite

DAY4
Old Speck Mtn 4170'

Crazy difficult, 30+ mile AT traverse from Gorham, NH to Grafton Notch State Park on rt 26 in Maine. We stayed 3 nights, only having to stealth camp 1 night otherwise all at official shelters.

I left Manchester at 2am(!) Saturday, met a friend in Grafton and finally on trail in Gorham for sunrise. Centennial trail to Old Speck we saw 1 blowdown otherwise a well manicured and well cared for stretch of landscape. Gorgeous Fall views of the surrounding countryside, and of course, the classic view of the Northern Presidentials got smaller as we walked each day.

The Rollins trail connecting Passaconaway and Whiteface is tough. Garfield Ridge connecting Galehead and Garfield is relentless, constant elevation change with little overall progress. The Mahoosucs have made those trails seem like holiday family vacations in my mind. I regard this trek as more difficult then the Presidential Traverse or any version of a Pemi Loop/Traverse whatever.

Up, down, up down, over and over and over. When you get bored with that we're going to make you decline so much that your legit under two mountains, then make you regain said lost elevation (hurry its getting dark). Mahoosuc Notch herself is like King Ravine on steroids. The boulder work and caves didn't destroy cartilage like the main trail, it doesn't need to. It took us 5 hours to complete 2.7 miles on our 3rd day of hiking. This is a mean trail.

Great time otherwise the pictures speak for themselves. We saw a moose and her calf at Gentian Pond while we were filling up water, but no other sightings the rest of the trip. Thinking it could be the same pair I saw near the Kinsmans but thats a far walk even for moose

Mt Isolation 4003'

Glen Boulder Trail, Davis Path, Isolation Trl and Rocky Branch 

Hiked about 14 total miles; spent the night near the summit

Forty Seven. Finally another mountain on the list. I will finish this year. 

Glen Boulder trail is steep but worth it, epic views all day. Most of the hike closer to Isolation is under treeline, so doing a traverse in this manner gave us a great variety. Boot Spur is a popular mountain, we were just ahead of a huge AMC crowd coming in behind us. I'm sure the views of Washington are great I'll have to return and hike Washington that way.

Weird weather! Individual air currents were creating wisp threads independent of other clouds. It was rad, pure mountain magic. 

Awesome views Sunday morning from the Isolation peak. Wonderful cup of Joe (french press) and a view of Washington, another family of Grey Jays lurking around for handouts, can't ask for more then that. Great overnight with a growing group of adventurers.

Carter Dome is next! This amazing journey is going to end in that boulder field next to the hut!

Carter Dayhike

Middle Carter 4600' and South Carter 4419'
12.5 miles via Imp Trail

I have reluctantly said goodbye to my wizard staff of power.

I sat for a snack at the Imp Face outlook, distracted by the views, then I dropped my hickory down next to a precipice at 3165'. I could maybe retrieve it with rope and patience, thought about turning around right there and abandoning the hike. Then I realized I just gave my staff the best resting place it ever, on a cliffside overlooking the presidentials.

So I cleaned up. Cranked out 12.5 miles 830 to 330. I could see Carter Dome in the distance but I knew she'd have to wait till next time. And I wasnt sure which mountain was S Carter till I found the rockpile, former hut worker confirmed it for me.

Great Monday considering my loss. Farewell my friend.