Friday, July 5
Summits: Galehead, N/S Twin, Zealand, Guyot, West Bond, Bond, Bondcliff
Start: Gale River TH
Finish: Lincoln Woods TH
Miles: 24.66
Elevation gain/loss: 6716’/7129′
After a tough night, we got up early, headed to Dunkin’ for coffee, and the Notch Hostel for a shower. Toby then kindly dropped me off at the Gale River trailhead, where I started my hike at 7am.
The water levels were much lower than the last time I hiked through, which was nice, though the last mile climb up to the AT intersection was brutal in the humid heat already building. I refilled water at the hut, grabbed the Galehead summit, and set up my snacks for the next segment.
Then it was up the steep South Twin ascent. It was quick enough, and then I dropped my pack to head over to North Twin. The trail between South Twin and Guyot was relatively smooth and soon I was dropping my bag to tag Zealand. The side trip wasn’t as long as I’d remembered and the humidity high in the ridge was a bit lower.
I put on more sunscreen when I got back to my backpack, and pushed on over crowded Guyot. I dropped my pack again to tag West Bond and then I was on the final stretch of mountains. It always feels like I’m almost done when I get to Bond, but that feeling is always false.
Bond to Bondcliff was roasting under the cloudless sky and I went straight over and down, heading for tree cover. I finished up my last water and started looking out for the first water on the descent. I stopped to filter and drink a liter, and then cruised downhill for a while before filling up one more liter for the exit.
It was a long exit and my feet hurt a lot, so I found another hiker heading out from Owl’s Head and struck up a conversation. We chatted all the way back to the bridge where Toby was waiting for me for another lovely evening swim.
Transcending Mountains 