Homer&Marje
07-28-2008, 20:43
Where to begin, well Marje and I are back from Franconia and had a blast. We had the pleasure this week to introduce my 13 year old brother-in-law to backpacking in the wilderness, he has always enjoyed car camping with us and his father but we figured it about time to put some miles under his belt.
It went well. For an I-Pod driven, Myspace engaged, Skateboarding teenager to drop everything in his life and go and live like we do in the woods was a scary prospect at first. I am so proud of that kid that I cannot put it into words, he made the trip a complete joy and even made it easier at times on myself and the wife... what more can I ask for?
We did not do the original planned trip because of a somewhat severe injury to Marjes knee, it's at best sprained real badly but again, she rose above and beyond, didn't turn around and just kept on trucking through tears, blood, and sweat. Not particularly in that order, except tears, she was in pain.
Anyways, Little Bro-in-Law gained his trail name on this trip due to the Chuck Norris T-shirt he wore most of the time. " Chuck Norris doesn't throw up, Chuck Norris Throws Down". That and the fact that he's a twig of a boy his trail name is "Walker Skinny Ranger"
Back to the Trail report, First day on the trail was short, made it from the Lincoln Woods Parking lot in till about 100 yds from the Bondcliff Trail and made camp due to severe rain. Took off in the morning up the Bondcliff trail and that's where Marje blew out her knee on a river crossing of Black Brook, which was raging with all the rain. And with a blown knee she continued 3000 ft of elevation on a trail that was completely awash, basically a stream to get to the top of Bondliff, Mt Bond and down to Guyot campsite where we stayed for two nights. Myself and Walker Skinny Ranger went and did a day hike to the top of West Bond and let Marje rest the knee.
So, after we left Guyot Campsite we hiked up to the top of Guyot (the false peak) and over the ridge to the top of South Twin where I have to post a huge thank you to Cheef Daddy, Mouse and Lancer??something or other, (cant remember) because they helped us a lot with some advice on Marjes Knees, suggesting to tie compression straps or a bandanna just under the knee cap to alleviate pressure and it really did help, considering we walked 1000 ft down South Twins back side, then stopped at Galehead Hut ( a thanks to the caretaker for a roll of tp, one of our rolls got soaked) and then we walked about 2000 ft down to 13 falls in that 2.5 miles, by the time we got there the knees of the wife were hurtin for certain but she made it the 8 miles out today down Franconia Brook trail. If anyone needs any specifics about trail locations or some good campsites I found trail side let me know, otherwise Happy trails and I'll have pics posted tomorrow!
It went well. For an I-Pod driven, Myspace engaged, Skateboarding teenager to drop everything in his life and go and live like we do in the woods was a scary prospect at first. I am so proud of that kid that I cannot put it into words, he made the trip a complete joy and even made it easier at times on myself and the wife... what more can I ask for?
We did not do the original planned trip because of a somewhat severe injury to Marjes knee, it's at best sprained real badly but again, she rose above and beyond, didn't turn around and just kept on trucking through tears, blood, and sweat. Not particularly in that order, except tears, she was in pain.
Anyways, Little Bro-in-Law gained his trail name on this trip due to the Chuck Norris T-shirt he wore most of the time. " Chuck Norris doesn't throw up, Chuck Norris Throws Down". That and the fact that he's a twig of a boy his trail name is "Walker Skinny Ranger"
Back to the Trail report, First day on the trail was short, made it from the Lincoln Woods Parking lot in till about 100 yds from the Bondcliff Trail and made camp due to severe rain. Took off in the morning up the Bondcliff trail and that's where Marje blew out her knee on a river crossing of Black Brook, which was raging with all the rain. And with a blown knee she continued 3000 ft of elevation on a trail that was completely awash, basically a stream to get to the top of Bondliff, Mt Bond and down to Guyot campsite where we stayed for two nights. Myself and Walker Skinny Ranger went and did a day hike to the top of West Bond and let Marje rest the knee.
So, after we left Guyot Campsite we hiked up to the top of Guyot (the false peak) and over the ridge to the top of South Twin where I have to post a huge thank you to Cheef Daddy, Mouse and Lancer??something or other, (cant remember) because they helped us a lot with some advice on Marjes Knees, suggesting to tie compression straps or a bandanna just under the knee cap to alleviate pressure and it really did help, considering we walked 1000 ft down South Twins back side, then stopped at Galehead Hut ( a thanks to the caretaker for a roll of tp, one of our rolls got soaked) and then we walked about 2000 ft down to 13 falls in that 2.5 miles, by the time we got there the knees of the wife were hurtin for certain but she made it the 8 miles out today down Franconia Brook trail. If anyone needs any specifics about trail locations or some good campsites I found trail side let me know, otherwise Happy trails and I'll have pics posted tomorrow!