A returning guest and her friend came to us looking for a guide for a one-day Z-Bonds Traverse. On longer hikes like this we are sure to inquire about pacing and whatnot so as to determine when to start the hike and whether or not it’ll take twelve hours or more. The reasons for this are related to safety, logistics, and billing — trips lasting twelve or more hours are subject to an additional fee with which the guide earns double their normal day rate. We try to determine “extended days” prior to the hike. And with this objective in particular, exceeding twelve hours is the norm (and our default). But in this precise situation we were leading a guest we were familiar with so we had that intel. Moreover, informed as she was, she told us that it would probably take her about ten hours. Also, both guests on this hike were “very fit” and they were expecting a “vigorous day” which is realistic in under twelve hours as they did. What follows is a short summary and photos by Redline Guide Chase Hall.
I love HIKING with returning guests, and it’s always a pleasure to help with this hike. The guest requested a Z-Bond’s traverse, and it being one of my favorite hikes in the Whites, I jumped on board. The foliage inside the Pemigewasset Wilderness was gorgeous. The colors: orange, yellow, and red, are just amazing. I loved seeing the reaction of my guests seeing the prime foliage in person. It was pretty cool —Chase
