Hey folks. It’s been a minute (ok, a couple of months).
Now the middle of July, and I’m not entirely sure how we are here already. It feels as if summer just started. That was almost a month ago. So, what’s new? I moved. That’s the big one. An unplanned move. As seems almost (sadly) common in the mountain towns of NH these days, my former landlord put her house up on the market and I was out. That took up the end of May and early June – finding a new place, packing, moving into storage/my aunts, moving to the new place, unpacking. Moving is stressful, especially this type of move. But, I’m so ridiculously grateful to have found a new place relatively easily. This is not the norm up here.
I’m now mostly adjusted to the new place. There is road noise now where that was non-existent at my last apartment. But that’s really the only negative. Pros: I have internet (btw, it’s REALLY helpful to have internet not just a hot-spot when you have an online coaching biz), it’s a two bedroom so I have an office, the driveway won’t be sketchy in the winter, and there is a bathtub. Wins everywhere. Besides moving, I’ve been hiking, working behind the scenes on getting some new business projects going, getting back into lifting more seriously, and really enjoying the internet thing, ha!
Let’s talk hiking!
Zealand + Bonds traverse starting on the Zealand side
Miles: 19
Vert: 3,700ft
This is my third time doing this traverse, and it remains a favorite. I’ve hiked Zealand and the Bonds out and back from Zealand Trail and the Bonds as a pemi loop, but I think the traverse is my favorite. Though, I do love me a pemi. I would be curious to go the opposite direction, a Bonds to Zealand traverse. Next time.
My favorite spots along this hike are Zeacliff (the two pictures below), Twinway Trail, and West Bond. I recall my first hike to Zealand and being in absolute awe of Zeacliff. It’s a great destination hike too if you’re not working on the NH48 (or heck, even if you are) and aren’t wanting to go to Zealand.
The hike into Zealand hut is a relatively easy 2.8 miles from the trailhead. At this point I usually will take a peak at the falls but kept going on Saturday. Not usually a weekend hiker because I don’t need to be and the weekday hiking in summer is preferred. Being a weekend it was best to just keep going. From the hut, it’s a solid climb up to Zeacliff. Steeper but short (approx a mile) and worth it.
After Zeacliff, Twinway is such a beautiful winding trail. Hands down a favorite in the White Mountains. It always feels longer than it should getting to Zealand though, ups and downs. Once to the junction for Zealand, it’s a quick little spur path to the summit with no view but the best summit sign in my opinion.
After Zealand we kept going, heading towards Guyot and the Bonds. The lackluster views from the Zealand summit are 200% made up for when you reach Guyot. This little magical spot in the heart of the pemi is so lovely.
After Guyot, the Bonds all come rather quickly one after another. West Bond is my favorite of the trio, mainly because it just feels so dang remote, because it is. Being up there is unlike much else. It’s a haul to get there from whatever direction you come: Lincoln Woods, Zealand, Twins, etc., but it’s a place I never really want to leave (unless there are black flies… which were plentiful on the summits Saturday).
May was the last time I hiked this traverse and the trails looked a bit different then. Mashed potato snow monorail from Zealand to coming off of Bond. The mud, rocks, and roots were well welcomed on this day. I’m 10/10 a summer/fall hiker though I do hike year round. Preference. As fun as potato snow is, I’ll pass 😉
Also great was being able to wear the running vest. Yay, warm temps and good weather! I actually got a new vest this season, the Salomon ADV skin 12* and I am OBSESSED. While I still am head over heels for my Ultimate Direction Mountain Vesta* the Salomon vest has stretchy front straps and it “breathes with you” if that makes sense. The front pockets are also larger and accommodate more snax. Gear review to come I think?
I don’t think I’ll ever get sick of the Bonds. It was really nice to get out here again and my running side enjoyed the jogging on the way back to the car from Bondcliff as well. It made me even more excited for another pemi (or two?) this summer/fall.
Something I’ve been thinking about lots lately is how I had zero clue when I first started hiking where it would lead me. When I started the 48 I didn’t know what the 48 were, I was just going hiking with a friend (Amy, thank you). Never ever did I plan to move north in 2019 because mountains, start a business coaching hikers/runners/cyclists with strength and nutrition, be writing a book about my eating disorder recovery and hiking, or have hiked the 48 5+ times. Never ever. This hobby changed my course of life, and for that I will always be grateful.
Short and sweet quote to end this post:
“When the path reveals itself, follow it.”
Cheryl Strayed