NH4K ... The 3 Bonds 3 Month Challenge - Traverse w Hale & Zealand (ADVANCED)
Details
Event Organizer: Michael Blair @ (978) 808-1932
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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 if you don't see them you will 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.
=== What We're Doing ===
The plan is to hike three of the 4,000 footers in New Hampshire - Bond, Bondcliff, and West Bond. I am planning trips in February, March (will also include Zealand), and April (will also include Hale and Zealand) so I'm going to do each hike using a different route. Here are the details for each of the three events:
• February - Bondcliff, Bond, and West Bond as an out and back from Lincoln Woods. This one will get you three 4Ks and is about 21 miles with about 4,200 feet of climbing. It will take about 12 hours 30 minutes to complete. (this will be a "winter" hike)
• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/14-Mt-Bond-4698--16-West-Bond-4540--30-Bondcliff-4265
• March - Zealand, West Bond, Bond, and Bondcliff traverse from Zealand Road to Lincoln Woods. This one will get you four 4Ks and is about 21 miles with about 4,000 feet of climbing. It will take about 12 hours 30 minutes to complete. (this will be a "winter" hike)
• 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)
• April - Hale, Zealand, West Bond, Bond, and Bondcliff traverse from Fire Warden Trail up Hale to Lincoln Woods. This one will get you five 4Ks and is about 21 miles with about 5,300 feet of climbing. It will take about 13 hours 15 minutes to complete. (this will be a "spring" hike)
• http://trailsnh.com/peaks/nh/4000/37-Mt-Hale-4054
• 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. 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.
RSVPs close 24 hours before the event.
The maximum group size for this trip will be 10 people.
Guests aren't permitted.
Dogs are only permitted with prior approval of the event organizer.
=== 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.
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:
=== What to Bring ===
Don't wear ANY cotton - this includes your socks and underwear. You will need winter hiking boots - if you wear them in the summer they aren't designed for winter use (e.g. insulation). You will need mountaineering snow shoes. Not all snowshoes are the same - some are designed for steep terrain with potentially deep snow while others aren't. These are the acceptable brands and models:
• Tubbs Flex ALP, Flex VRT, Flex TRK, or Mountaineers.
• MSR Lightening, Revo, or Evo.
• TSL Symbioz Elite or Expert.
• Atlas Aspect, Endeavor, or Series 10/11/12.
You will also need traction - while you can bring mountaineering crampons if you want I think all you will need is either Kahtoola Microspikes or Hillsound Trail Crampons.
Use this link for a list of items needed for a winter day hike:
• http://files.meetup.com/492954/Winter_Day_Hike_List_ADK.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 meet at the Lincoln Woods Visitors Center which is located on the north side of Route 112 east of Lincoln, NH. According to Google Maps this spot is about 135 miles from Boston and it will take about 2 hours 10 minutes to drive there. Since this is where we will end the day we will leave a few cars there and drive to the starting spot.
Use this link to customize the driving directions:
• https://goo.gl/maps/fnmNxuEiKxm
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.
=== 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.