NH4K ... Zealand & the three Bonds (ADVANCED)

Event Organizer: Michael Blair @ (978) 808-1932

Read the entire description before you RSVP and answer all of the questions that are part of the process. Failure to answer them will result in your removal from this event.

Answers DO NOT carry over from one event to another so you must answer them for EACH EVENT. Also, questions might not show up if you RSVP from a phone or tablet so you may need to use a computer.

If you underestimate the demands of this event; overestimate your experience, knowledge, skills or abilities; or come unprepared you put yourself and others at risk. Consider this before you RSVP.

Contact me if you have any questions.

=== What We're Doing ===

The plan is to climb four of the 4,000 foot peaks in New Hampshire - Zealand, West Bond, Bond, and Bondcliff. We will start in the north and use Zealand Trail, Twinway, Bondcliff Trail, and Lincoln Woods Trail for this one way hike. Use these links to get information about the summits that we'll climb and the trails that we'll use to get there:

• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/31-Mt-Zealand-4260

• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/14-Mt-Bond-4698--16-West-Bond-4540--30-Bondcliff-4265 (http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/14-Mt-Bond-4698--16-West-Bond-4540--30-Bondcliff-4265)

If you are interested in participating in this event sign up for the waiting list and I will add people that (1) answer all of the questions that are part of the RSVP process and (2) have done similar hikes within the past three months. The maximum group size for this trip will be 10 people since we will be traveling within the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area..

Guests are not permitted - all participants must be members of the group.

Dogs are permitted - be sure to bring a leash in case you need to use it and a copy of their current rabies vaccination. If you plan to bring a dog please mention that in the comments section below.

=== Trip Summary ===

We start as a group, hike as a group, and finish as a group. Our pace will be that of the slowest hiker. This trip isn't for you if you are faster than the group and don't want to stay with us, if you want to head off on your own, or if you are slower than the group and expect us to constantly wait for you.

On this moderate pace (~2.0 MPH) trip we will hike about 19.7 miles and climb about 4,500 feet. It should take an average hiker about 12 hours 15 minutes to complete this trip. This event is considered to be ADVANCED because of the pace, distance, and elevation gain.

Dangerous weather conditions will cancel this event - I will post an update and/or send an email to all confirmed participants. Use this link for the current weather forecast:

http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=44.16811703400049&lon=-71.53396885799964&site=all&smap=1#.VFbIvIdNZ_Y

=== What to Bring ===

We will likely need headlamps at both ends of this hike and we may also need some form of light traction like microspikes. I will update this event description a few days beforehand when I know more about what we can expect to encounter. Use this link for a list of items needed for most three season day hikes:

• http://files.meetup.com/492954/Three_Season_Dayhike_gear_list.pdf

Do not rely on others to have extra items to share with you at the meeting spot or on the trail. You should know how to use all of your equipment - test and adjust it prior to this trip.

=== Directions ===

We will in the parking lot at the Lincoln Woods Visitors Center which is on the north side of Route 112 east of Lincoln, NH. According to Google Maps this meeting spot is 135 miles from Boston and it should take about 2 hours and 5 minutes to drive there. Since this is where we will end our hike we will leave a few cars here and drive to where we will start the hike.

While carpooling is encouraged you are responsible for coordinating your own rides. Use the comments section below to communicate with others who may also be looking to share a ride. If you do share a ride be sure to share the expenses (gas and tolls).

=== Random Group of Hikers Disclaimer ===

As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death to participants and/or others; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this activity; you know and will follow the Hike Safe Responsibility Code (http://www.hikesafe.com/); the organizer(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you release, hold harmless, and indemnify the organizer(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons.