June Pemi Loop

…both have platforms, so rocks might be the way to go unless there are eyelets hanging around; sometimes people screw them into the platforms and leave them behind. Both have bear boxes and occasional issues. If you're planning to stealth-camp somewhere else, you might have trouble finding a decent flat spot big enoug for your shelter away from the trail.

I can't see you gear list on my iPad, but recommend you plan for rain, bugs (lots of bugs) and overnight temps to about freezing.

It's a beautiful loop and you're going to love it! Which direction are you planning to go?

Rich, which way do you like to go? I did it in a day last year and went Bonds first counter clockwise.

both campsites have shelters too if necessary. you can also do a fun trick by putting the guyline through the eye of the hooks and using a stake to hold it. I would not count on finding many places to camp other than those places. but 3 days is plenty manageable for the loop.

You could always make a cat stove and get a bottle of Heet at the gas station in Lincoln. not a ton of wood fuel around, especially the western half

It is worth the short side trip to go up West Bond and has some great views of the entire Pemi. Galehead is not, unless you're going to do all 48 4k's someday.

here is my list when i did the eastern half of it as a 1 night last july 20. i actually used my 45* MYOG quilt but if i was going in june i'd bring my 20* to be on the safe side. 30* should be fine.

http://www.geargrams.com/list?id=14195

Thanks guys. I am going with a group and I don't know which way they are planning to go. Which is better?

I guess I'll work with some liquid gas stoves to get a hang for it if there isn't much tinder around.
I have a small catfood can I can make into that style gas stove. Is the soda can version better and worth making to test it out?

It looks like I'll be able to make my tent work with the platforms though.

worst comes to worst you can just stay in the shelter. that is what I did. I decided i was tired and didn't feel like dealing with my tent so I stayed in there instead. at least Guyot is 2 levels.. can fit probably 8-10 people.

Cat stove is not for liquid gas.. it's for denatured alcohol/Heet.

I like going counter clockwise. Guyot is a good distance for day 1, you have a 4ish mile flat warm up to get geared up for the Bonds. garfield isn't too far for day 2 but you can drop packs and take a side trip to N. Twin if you think you have time. Going down S. Twin and back up Garfield ridge is work for sure. Day 3 along the franconia ridge is awesome and you have Liberty springs campsite if for some reason you need to do an extra night.

it is a great loop.. i've done it 2.5 times.

Others have covered a lot of your questions already. I will add that if the tent site gets crowded, the caretaker may assign multiple tents to a single platform. That can make it tricky to stake out one side of your shelter. I'd recommend bringing a good length of extra line in case you need to get creative.

Have fun. And don't skip West Bond summit.

I've done this loop multiple times, some overnight trips, and one grueling 14hr single day hike. I would look into if you have one or the money for one, a bivy. Ditch the hexamid for this trip. There isn't much great stealth camping without crushing some delicate alpine nature and the tent platforms are first come first serve with some folks pitching 4 person tents.

You are going to get bugged. Bring a bug net, use it as a stuff sack. It's worth it. You'll be able to get a canister, or denatured alcohol.

And as everyone is saying, don't miss West Bond.