1st Pemi Loop (+ West Bond) 6/13 - Views From The Top

dr_wu002 · 06-15-2009, 07:27 AM

Participants: LRiz, Marc Howes, Dr. Wu

Date: Saturday 6/13/09

Rules: No Bailout Car

Goal: Sub 14 hours

We started at 6am -- no running on the Wilderness Trail but 2:45 later we were on Bondcliff. Weather was great -- no sign of thunder boomers yet but one of us had a problem: Marc was getting some bad chafing on his back. Not good considering we had about ummm... 23 miles to go. I offered him a hot oily massage (I did manage to give him a lap dance later on) but he declined and put some powdered cocaine on it instead. We hit Bond, West Bond (no brainer), Guyot, South Twin and down to Galehead Hut in good time and all felt strong and were still moving fast.

Once past Galehead (Gale River Trail Junction actually) Marc and I noted that this was the furthest we had gone on a Pemi Loop attempt (I bailed in 2005, Marc in 2008 ?) but today it never entered into any of our minds to bail. We didn't really have that option anyway.

The middle third of the Pemi Loop is probably the most challenging and most of that comes from the Garfield Ridge Trail. I've done this trail several times and never found it to be that bad but after all those miles this trail, with all its PUDs, rough and wet footing, and not to mention steep crap was pretty draining. I think even Larisa struggled for a second or maybe even two going up Garfield. But we did it and we were psyched and we moved on to Lafayette (another 3.5 miles) where we knew that once we stood on that summit we had the home stretch ahead of us!

We reached Lafayette in under 10 hours... goal of 14 hours was fading for us but we figured we'd give it our best no matter what for the next 10.5 miles. Franconia Ridge is awesome as usual and makes for good, fast hiking over beautiful terrain. 2 hours later we were on Flume with 5.5 miles to go... at this point we knew we made it and, although tired (at least I was) it was an incredible feeling.

Marc's back was so screwed up at this point -- I don't know how he did 20 miles with it looking like that... plus he had leg cramps. Kudos to him for making it to Flume still feeling good and positive. He agreed to let Larisa and I go ahead if we give him an extra headlamp... so I gave him mine (Larisa had two, WTF?) and we started out for Lincoln woods with the 14 hour goal in mind.

I told Larisa that she'd be running once we got to past the ladders but she didn't think so, not after 28 miles. Once we stepped off that last ladder we broke into a jog. She didn't think we'd run once we got to the flat Wilderness Trail but once we got there, with 1.4 miles left to go and we were at 13 hours and 40 minutes we took off. From a jog, to a run, I was calling out times (tripped once too) and then to an all out sprint we finished the 1.4 miles in under 10 minutes.... final time: 13 hours 49 minutes!!!!

This was an unbelievable victory for me. I realize that 13 something hours on a Pemi Loop is about half of what some people on this site can do but this has been a long road for me getting back into hiking shape and banging something like this out. Usually I leave the parking area right after a hike but since Marc was a bit behind us, we were able to savor the moment with a few beers. I definitely felt a real sense of accomplishment; this was without a doubt the hardest thing that I had ever done physically and mentally and not only that it was a long and sometimes frustrating and difficult road to get there.

Marc finished up about 30 minutes after us. Still happy despite his back issues. I can't imagine how draining it must've been to hike like that but he rocked. Then the three of us headed over to Waterest Campground for some partying for Kim's Birthday.... great night still ahead of us with some great friends and a big win notched in all three of our belts.

-Dr. Wu

Little Sister · 06-15-2009, 07:31 AM

Way to go guys!! It is such an accomplishment...good work!!

TrishandAlex · 06-15-2009, 07:40 AM

Congrats!

bristlecone · 06-15-2009, 07:47 AM

Just finishing a trip like that is a big deal. Getting it in your target time is the icing! Congrats.

LRiz · 06-15-2009, 07:47 AM

Sweet TR, Wu. Thank you both for an incredible day. Totally didn't think that we'd break 14 hours... was aiming for 15 or 16. Heh. Must say it was amazing to end it with a bang and run the last 4 miles or so. Didn't expect that.

Prior to this, I'd not broken 24.5 miles nor 7,000 feet of vertical in a single hike. The fact that we were able to do it, and still finish strong... oh wow.

Oh, and if you can't tell I'm still totally running off the adrenaline from this hike.

A few pics... (Full album here. Unfortunately I'm running out of Picasa space, which is why the resolution is so dreadful.)

mookie · 06-15-2009, 07:53 AM

great job guys (and gal)!
im just curious, did you wear pants or shorts?

The Feathered Hat · 06-15-2009, 07:54 AM

A terrific accomplishment -- congratulations. And LRiz, those photos are truly beautiful. Thanks for posting them.

blaze · 06-15-2009, 07:59 AM

Outstanding trip report and photos - thank you for sharing!

I did my one and only pemi loop in June '07 (sans West Bond) and have been on the fence about trying it again. But these recent reports are getting me pumped to get back out there. We did it clockwise the 1st time and I would love to try it counter-clockwise.

I read your remarks about back chafing with particular interest. This has been a nagging problem for me on past long distance hikes, and I was wondering if I was the only one who suffered from this. I've tried different pairs of shorts with and without belts. Both during and after the hike, it's very painful.

A small group of us are trying a Presi Traverse in the near future. I will try some duct tape or "Leukotape" (very sticky medical tape, I got mine from a physical therapist) on my lower back. Hopefully I'll get the potential trouble spots well covered and the tape itself won't be too uncomfortable.

Thanks again!

marchowes · 06-15-2009, 08:01 AM

Good times.

Great Group.

Fun after party (except the Dr Wu lap dance -- yuck!)

------------

The back rash/chafe/whatever is probably an allergic reaction to new laundry detergent. This has never happened to me before and I wear the same pack/shirt all the time. Didn't stop me, it's just skin -- its not like my knees or feet or something more serious was messed up. After a while you can just turn off that kind of pain, I'm sure pretty much all of you have experienced that before.

Will definately do this again, probably rather do it in cooler temps tho! At least the T-storms never materialized.

What a rush it was getting to the wilderness trail at the end. even after 31 miles I had no problem with a near 4 mph pace (Slow compared to Wu and LRiz evidently!). The determination to get to the car and have a beer and swiss cake roll was strong.

When I got wind of this trip I figured based on the milage it would be 15 hours. I'm pretty stoked that it was less than that

PS on long trips like this bring salt in a bag or something. Having salt prevented my leg cramps from being a lot worse than they could have been.

WinterWarlock · 06-15-2009, 08:11 AM

Sweet pics, and great day for all of you..

Quote:

Originally Posted by marchowes

Fun after party (except the Dr Wu lap dance -- yuck!)

Oh, and thanks for not posting that pic.

mookie · 06-15-2009, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by marchowes

The back rash/chafe/whatever is probably an allergic reaction to new laundry detergent. This has never happened to me before and I wear the same pack/shirt all the time. Didn't stop me, it's just skin -- its not like my knees or feet or something more serious was messed up. After a while you can just turn off that kind of pain, I'm sure pretty much all of you have experienced that before.

looks like a sunburn gone wrong. nasty stuff. glad it didnt stop you dude.

Gillian · 06-15-2009, 08:34 AM

Congrats - very nice job guys!!! It was fun to celebrate with you afterwards!

dr_wu002 · 06-15-2009, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mookie

great job guys (and gal)!
im just curious, did you wear pants or shorts?

I wore shorts but one funny thing is that I didn't bring any alcohol at all on this hike. No Bear Republic Hop Rods, no Victory Hop Devils, no Stone IPAs, not even a can of Dale's Pale Ale (Marc brought a can actually but I didn't). I even bought a new little pack -- Osprey Talon 11, no room for beer, and I used a camalback (with water and gatorade in it).

-Dr. Wu

Barkingcat · 06-15-2009, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_wu002

final time: 13 hours 49 minutes!!!!

Wow -- very nicely done!

Quote:

Originally Posted by dr_wu002

This was an unbelievable victory for me. I realize that 13 something hours on a Pemi Loop is about half of what some people on this site can do but this has been a long road for me getting back into hiking shape and banging something like this out.

Yeah -- you're right about that. I'd be lucky to break 20; I think my feet would give out, first.

Stinkyfeet · 06-15-2009, 09:35 AM

You guys did *wicked awesome*!!! Huge congrats!

To the best of my knowledge, the fastest known time on the Pemi Loop is somewhere around 7:25, by Alex Kahl, 2005, and that most likely did not include the side trip West Bond. (Anyone know a faster time?)

06-15-2009, 07:27 AM	#1
dr_wu002 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Boontaka, MA Posts: 2,628	1st Pemi Loop (+ West Bond) 6/13 Participants: LRiz, Marc Howes, Dr. Wu Date: Saturday 6/13/09 Rules: No Bailout Car Goal: Sub 14 hours We started at 6am -- no running on the Wilderness Trail but 2:45 later we were on Bondcliff. Weather was great -- no sign of thunder boomers yet but one of us had a problem: Marc was getting some bad chafing on his back. Not good considering we had about ummm... 23 miles to go. I offered him a hot oily massage (I did manage to give him a lap dance later on) but he declined and put some powdered cocaine on it instead. We hit Bond, West Bond (no brainer), Guyot, South Twin and down to Galehead Hut in good time and all felt strong and were still moving fast. Once past Galehead (Gale River Trail Junction actually) Marc and I noted that this was the furthest we had gone on a Pemi Loop attempt (I bailed in 2005, Marc in 2008 ?) but today it never entered into any of our minds to bail. We didn't really have that option anyway. The middle third of the Pemi Loop is probably the most challenging and most of that comes from the Garfield Ridge Trail. I've done this trail several times and never found it to be that bad but after all those miles this trail, with all its PUDs, rough and wet footing, and not to mention steep crap was pretty draining. I think even Larisa struggled for a second or maybe even two going up Garfield. But we did it and we were psyched and we moved on to Lafayette (another 3.5 miles) where we knew that once we stood on that summit we had the home stretch ahead of us! We reached Lafayette in under 10 hours... goal of 14 hours was fading for us but we figured we'd give it our best no matter what for the next 10.5 miles. Franconia Ridge is awesome as usual and makes for good, fast hiking over beautiful terrain. 2 hours later we were on Flume with 5.5 miles to go... at this point we knew we made it and, although tired (at least I was) it was an incredible feeling. Marc's back was so screwed up at this point -- I don't know how he did 20 miles with it looking like that... plus he had leg cramps. Kudos to him for making it to Flume still feeling good and positive. He agreed to let Larisa and I go ahead if we give him an extra headlamp... so I gave him mine (Larisa had two, WTF?) and we started out for Lincoln woods with the 14 hour goal in mind. I told Larisa that she'd be running once we got to past the ladders but she didn't think so, not after 28 miles. Once we stepped off that last ladder we broke into a jog. She didn't think we'd run once we got to the flat Wilderness Trail but once we got there, with 1.4 miles left to go and we were at 13 hours and 40 minutes we took off. From a jog, to a run, I was calling out times (tripped once too) and then to an all out sprint we finished the 1.4 miles in under 10 minutes.... final time: 13 hours 49 minutes!!!! This was an unbelievable victory for me. I realize that 13 something hours on a Pemi Loop is about half of what some people on this site can do but this has been a long road for me getting back into hiking shape and banging something like this out. Usually I leave the parking area right after a hike but since Marc was a bit behind us, we were able to savor the moment with a few beers. I definitely felt a real sense of accomplishment; this was without a doubt the hardest thing that I had ever done physically and mentally and not only that it was a long and sometimes frustrating and difficult road to get there. Marc finished up about 30 minutes after us. Still happy despite his back issues. I can't imagine how draining it must've been to hike like that but he rocked. Then the three of us headed over to Waterest Campground for some partying for Kim's Birthday.... great night still ahead of us with some great friends and a big win notched in all three of our belts. -Dr. Wu __________________ To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead. -Thomas Paine

06-15-2009, 07:40 AM	#3
TrishandAlex Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NH Posts: 1,291	Congrats! __________________ http://www.trishalexsage.com

06-15-2009, 07:47 AM	#5
LRiz Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Will run for beer Posts: 249	Sweet TR, Wu. Thank you both for an incredible day. Totally didn't think that we'd break 14 hours... was aiming for 15 or 16. Heh. Must say it was amazing to end it with a bang and run the last 4 miles or so. Didn't expect that. Prior to this, I'd not broken 24.5 miles nor 7,000 feet of vertical in a single hike. The fact that we were able to do it, and still finish strong... oh wow. Oh, and if you can't tell I'm still totally running off the adrenaline from this hike. A few pics... (Full album here. Unfortunately I'm running out of Picasa space, which is why the resolution is so dreadful.) Last edited by LRiz; 06-15-2009 at 08:04 AM.

06-15-2009, 08:01 AM	#9
marchowes Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Canadian UFO crash landing site Posts: 666	Good times. Great Group. Fun after party (except the Dr Wu lap dance -- yuck!) ------------ The back rash/chafe/whatever is probably an allergic reaction to new laundry detergent. This has never happened to me before and I wear the same pack/shirt all the time. Didn't stop me, it's just skin -- its not like my knees or feet or something more serious was messed up. After a while you can just turn off that kind of pain, I'm sure pretty much all of you have experienced that before. Will definately do this again, probably rather do it in cooler temps tho! At least the T-storms never materialized. What a rush it was getting to the wilderness trail at the end. even after 31 miles I had no problem with a near 4 mph pace (Slow compared to Wu and LRiz evidently!). The determination to get to the car and have a beer and swiss cake roll was strong. When I got wind of this trip I figured based on the milage it would be 15 hours. I'm pretty stoked that it was less than that PS on long trips like this bring salt in a bag or something. Having salt prevented my leg cramps from being a lot worse than they could have been. __________________ I'm not working on the 453! Honestly! 3Ks aren't my bag baby.

06-15-2009, 08:34 AM	#12
Gillian Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Waltham, MA. Avatar: Kerry Mountain Rescue Posts: 306	Congrats - very nice job guys!!! It was fun to celebrate with you afterwards! __________________ "We are the music makers and we are the dreamers of dreams." - Willy Wonka

06-15-2009, 07:31 AM	#2
Little Sister Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: South Portland, Maine Posts: 72	Way to go guys!! It is such an accomplishment...good work!!

06-15-2009, 07:47 AM	#4
bristlecone Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Cambridge MA Posts: 77	Just finishing a trip like that is a big deal. Getting it in your target time is the icing! Congrats.

06-15-2009, 07:53 AM	#6
mookie Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: south burlington, VT Posts: 848	great job guys (and gal)! im just curious, did you wear pants or shorts?

06-15-2009, 07:54 AM	#7
The Feathered Hat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Franconia, NH Posts: 180	A terrific accomplishment -- congratulations. And LRiz, those photos are truly beautiful. Thanks for posting them.

06-15-2009, 07:59 AM	#8
blaze Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Scarborough, Maine Posts: 239	Outstanding trip report and photos - thank you for sharing! I did my one and only pemi loop in June '07 (sans West Bond) and have been on the fence about trying it again. But these recent reports are getting me pumped to get back out there. We did it clockwise the 1st time and I would love to try it counter-clockwise. I read your remarks about back chafing with particular interest. This has been a nagging problem for me on past long distance hikes, and I was wondering if I was the only one who suffered from this. I've tried different pairs of shorts with and without belts. Both during and after the hike, it's very painful. A small group of us are trying a Presi Traverse in the near future. I will try some duct tape or "Leukotape" (very sticky medical tape, I got mine from a physical therapist) on my lower back. Hopefully I'll get the potential trouble spots well covered and the tape itself won't be too uncomfortable. Thanks again!

06-15-2009, 09:35 AM	#15
Stinkyfeet Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 564	You guys did wicked awesome!!! Huge congrats! To the best of my knowledge, the fastest known time on the Pemi Loop is somewhere around 7:25, by Alex Kahl, 2005, and that most likely did not include the side trip West Bond. (Anyone know a faster time?) Last edited by Stinkyfeet; 06-15-2009 at 11:03 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode