Bondcliff & Pemi Loop Backpacking Elopement in New Hampshire

This was a first for me. Backpacking no, I genuinely love backpacking, but carrying a 45-50lb pack full of camera gear and backpacking supplies up 5700 feet in elevation over the course of 37 miles was truly a first. Jessica and Winthrop could not accept another outcome for their elopement. They needed adventure in the place they loved most dearly.

The day started early in the morning on a slightly different route than Jessica and Winthrop, who we would meet at an Appalachian Mountain Club camp later on deep in the Pemigawasset Wilderness of New Hampshire’s White Mountains. This was truly one of the most remote areas in all of the northeast. There’s nothing easy about a 105lb 5’4 woman (in case you’re wondering I am very short) carrying 50lbs up 2 mountain peaks over a ridge, but that didn’t stop us. After arriving at a backcountry camp, eating lunch and a nice rest I unloaded my overnight gear onto a platform and started hiking back the same way I came with Jessica and Winthrop. They married on Mt. Bond by saying their vows in a ceremony I could only describe as very them.

June is the best month for backpacking in NH with cooler temperatures, but warm sunny days. Their portrait session consisted of hiking down Mt. Bond and over to the dramatic Bondcliff. What makes this area of the Pemi wilderness so special is that in any direction you look you cannot see or hear any sign of civilization. Jessica told me at one point that backpacking was how her and Winthrop turned the noise of the world off. She isn’t wrong, and I feel very much the same about backpacking. It’s a way of escaping and finding yourself. When you’re backpacking you have one overarching priority, surviving. Seeing beautiful places is second to that. When you are in survival mode the world becomes a more beautiful place, your mind clear, and your soul is free of any prison it was in.

The couple had their first dance on the cliff at sunset followed by blue hour back up at the summit of Bond. We hiked down to the camp again and just as the last rays of light were fading they toasted their marriage with their favorite cocktail which they brought all the way up the mountains and to the ridge! The next morning I watched sunset, we had breakfast together, and we broke down our camps before saying goodbye. Jessica and Winthrop enjoyed another night on the Pemi Loop while we hiked home and nursed our very tired calves with a burger and beer at the nearest open watering hole. Is there any other way to end a backpacking trip?

1. Respect the Mountains (they are NOT chill)

The Whites are famous for:

Fast-changing weather (like four seasons before lunch)
Above-treeline exposure
Rugged, rocky trails

Tips

Build in weather buffer days if you can.
Have a Plan B ceremony spot below treeline.
Bring real layers—even in summer. Wind on ridges is no joke.

If Mt. Washington or Franconia Ridge is involved: humble yourself early.

2. Choose a Spot That Matches Your Vibe

Think about how you want it to feel, not just the view.

Popular elopement-style areas

Franconia Ridge – iconic, dramatic, very exposed, very busy
Presidential Range – epic and remote, weather roulette
Kinsman / Carter Range – quieter, still stunning
Pemi Wilderness – remote, romantic, long approaches

If privacy matters, aim for:

Sunrise ceremonies 🌅
Weekdays
Shoulder seasons (early fall > peak foliage chaos)

3. Know the Rules (Leave No Trace = love language)

Generally:

Small elopements usually don’t need permits, but check with the WMNF if you’re unsure.
No decorations, arches, or flower tossing.
Stay on durable surfaces.
No drones in Wilderness areas.

Keep it tiny, low-impact, and respectful—it’s part of the magic.

4. Backpack Smart (You’ll Still Want Cute Photos)

You can be practical and aesthetic.

Gear tips

Wrinkle-resistant clothing (merino is your friend and cotton kills)
Lightweight shoes for the ceremony switch-out
Pack a small towel + wipes (sweaty love is still love)
Minimal bouquet: dried flowers or fabric work best since you likely don’t want to haul in a vase and waste precious water!

Pro tip: do a pack shakedown a week before. Wedding stress + overpacking = misery.