Last weekend we enjoyed a three day backpacking trip in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. We were lucky to have very good weather for almost all of the trip, and we returned with sore feet and big smiles on our faces. In total we hiked to the summit of seven different peaks over 4000', some of them several times (South Twin x3, Bond x2)
Day 1
We started by hiking the scenic Gale River Trail to the AMC's Galehead hut and the peak of Galehead (4024'). From there we climbed steeply to the summit of South Twin (4902') and along the ridge to the isolated backcountry Guyot Campsite. We managed to quickly secure a spot for our tent, and then headed out to hike to the summits of Bond (4698'), Bondcliff (4265') and West Bond (4540'). We returned to camp at about 7pm after hiking about 14-miles and saw lots of people who had arrived later than us only to find the campsite full. We enjoyed home-made dehydrated veggie stew and couscous for dinner as a reward for our efforts.
Day 2
After a simple breakfast of granola and tea we retraced our steps to the summit of South Twin and then made a short (2.4 mile) diversion to North Twin mountain (4761'). This was a fine mountain despite its tree covered summit, and there was a spectacular viewpoint just a few hundred feet from the peak. We then descended back to the Galehead hut (via South Twin) for some lunch and fresh coffee, and to check the weather for the final day. An up-and-down ridge led us over to the final ascent of the day to the Garfield campsite. Again we arrived in plenty of time to secure a campsite. This was partly because it was Sunday evening and partly because a night of rain and high winds was forecast! It was this point where we discovered that out fuel pump had been damaged earlier in the day (when Bruno dropped it) and our stove would not function. Fortunately we were lucky enough to meet a generous fellow hiker who let us use his stove to make tea and dinner. After dinner we strolled to the top of Mount Garfield (4500') and filtered water for Day-3 before the rain set in.
Day 3
After a night in our new tent dodging the wind and rain we emerged mostly dry and in good humor. Once again our hiking friend loaned us his stove to boil water for tea, so we were smiling in no time. We ate all the food left in our bags, took down the tent, and then headed back down the Garfield Trail to the car. We found it a very gentle trail and we were in the parking lot by 11.45am. Soon after the sun came out and we headed back to our chalet to enjoy a shower, some iced tea, and to pack our bags for the work week.
A rocky landscape
On the summit of South Twin
A view of the ridge to the Bonds
On the trail
The Galehead Hut
Getting coffee at the hut
Setting up camp
A view to the north
Grouse on the trail
Happy hiker!
The Galehead hut in the col
Wonderful views in every direction
View from Bondcliff
The highest outhouse in New Hampshire?
The shelter at the Garfield campsite
