Katahdin 2000

This Page is work in progress. Here is the organizational information of our trip.

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Trip Report

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The Team

 

Objective

Our main objective will be to hike to the top of Katahdin via Saddle if weather permits.  It is not guaranteed that we’ll make it to the top.  We’ll have two (2) days for our attempt.  On the other day, we’ll either attempt Hamlin Peak (via ridge trail), or XC ski around Chimney Pond (below treeline) or Ice Climb on the Pamola Cliffs or Southern Cliffs, this will depend on the conditions of the mountain.

The Training

In addition to all the experience we have, we’ll be planning on doing winter hikes, climbs, and XC (with sleds) during December and January.  Plus all the team members will be running and doing other aerobic activities.  . There was a two-night xc-ski with sleds trip to Lincoln woods; to get adjusted and test the gear in cold conditions.

We’ll also have ice climbing trips to narrow down our skills.  Fortunately we have all hiked together and know each other well, to know that we are all socially compatible.

Cost Per Person (estimates)

Lodge the night before

$30 per person

Tentsite ($8 per person per night *4 nights)

$32

Food (60/4? + 10)

$35?

Fuel (3.5 gallons/4)

$2

Sleds (10 for sled, 10 for pvc and other

$20

Transportation (360miles/2)

$20

Lodging the night after

$12

Total

$151

 

Plan/Tentative Itinerary

Tuesday 25 (0)th

Drive up to Maine, stay at the Big Moose Inn: 207-723-8391

Wednesday 26t (1)h

XC Ski to Roaring Brook (12 or 10 miles depending on trail taken)

Thrusday 27 (2)th

Snowshoe/Hike to chimney pond (3.3 mi).  Set up camp.  Perhaps break trail to Saddle trail

Friday 28 (3)th

First attempt via Saddle trail (4.4 mi RT)

Saturday 29 (4)th

Second attempt, or perhaps try Hamlin Peak via Hamlin Ridge Trail (3.9 mi RT), or perhaps try to ice climb via a Class 2 or 3 routes.

Sunday 30th (5)

Descend (3.3mi) and XC ski to cars (12mi).

Monday 31st

Drive back.

The Gear

( a lot of the information here was borrowed from here)

 

Personal gear that Baxter State Park strongly recommends bringing.

  • Snowshoes or skis in good condition and with repair material
  • Good quality, insulated pacs or winter mountain boots (the latter a necessity for technical climbing)
  • Good quality sleeping bag sufficient for temperatures well below zero
  • One pair of dark sunglasses or snow goggles
  • One pack
  • Matches in waterproof container
  • Food enough for the trip, plus a two day emergency reserve
  • Clothing adequate for extreme winter conditions
  • Topographic map and compass
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons
  • Flashlight or headlamp
  • One rope per two climbers - minimum 120 foot, 9mm
  • One sleeping bag per two climbers for day trips

Group gear that Baxter State Park strongly recommends bringing

  • Medical kit adequate for minor injuries and first aid
  • Axe and camp saw
  • Outdoor thermometer with wind chill chart

"A Park official may inspect equipment and supplies prior to the start of the trip. Parties not adequately equipped and competent for their intended undertaking may be delayed or refused permission to use the Park." Put some time into your gear selection and you shouldn't have any problem.

 

Personal Gear:

Quantity

Item

Comments

1

Midweight long underwear tops

 

1

Midweight long underwear bottoms

 

1

Fleece jacket

Heavy weight

1

Down Jacket

 

1

Goretex (or similar) shell

 

1

Fleece pants

Heavy weight

1

Goretex (or similar) pants

Full side zip is nice

1

Polypro liner gloves

 

1

Winstopper fleece gloves

Very warm

1

Overmitts

 

2

Mitten liners

Thicker the better

2

Polypro liner socks

 

2

Wool or synthetic socks

 

2

VBL socks

Useful for cold temperatures. Helps to keep boots dry.  Use Star Market plastic bags.  Really useful.

1

Gaiters

 You will be walking on deep snow

1

Balaclava

Windstopper or fleece is best

1

Extra Hat

 

1

Ski boots

 

1

Double boots

If they aren't warm, use overboots or supergaitors

1

Crampons

Adjust them at home. Use point guards

1

Ice axe

Know how to self arrest. Use point guards

1

Snowshoes

 

1

Skis

Track, telemark, alpine touring. Any will do

1

Sled

Look at the plan to build them

2

Locking carabiners

For sleds and rescue

1

Sleeping bag

Good for at least -20F

2

Sleeping pad

I bring 2 in winter

1

Space Blanket or Space Bag

Good for cold temps and emergencies (space bag is better). 

 ?

Heat packs

Bring as many as you need.  Although other people say they don’t work

1

Headlamp

 Petzl Artic recommended

1?

Extra light source

I am thinking the Photon flashlights

1

Extra batteries

Lithium works well in the cold

1

Topo map

USGS or AMC

1

Compass

Know how to use it

1

Insulated mug

Essential in winter (Mr. Mikes 16oz are great)

1

Spoon

Lexan is good

1

New bottle of iodine tablets

Filters don't work in winter

2-3

1 liter water bottles

Nalgene is the only way to go

1

Day pack

Good for towing sled and for day hikes

1

Tarp

To cover sled contents

 

Bungee cords

To attach tarp to sled

1

Personal first aid kit

Meds, bandaids, tape, etc.

1

Compression sack for sleeping bag

 

1 (optional)

Pack cover

 

1

Insulated bottle holder

 

1

Sunscreen

 

1

Sunglasses

 

1

Ski goggles

 

Many feet

Toilet paper

 

1

Chapstick

 

Group Gear:

Quantity

Item

Comments

2

Tents

2 Person tents

1

Small tent

for summit day

2

Stoves

Whisperlite, for cooking

1

Extra Stove

In case one fails.

 

Fuel

16oz. per person per day

3

Gas Cartridges

For latern, and stove (for emergency while hiking)

1

Latern

Nice for camp

2

Group First Aid Kit

 

1

Repair Kit

For repairing Tents and Stoves.

1

Ice/Snow Saw

Just in case the Rangers ask for it.

1

Shovel

Really useful for setting camp, digging cars out, and as a bumper for sleds

2-3

Pots and lids

 

2-4?

Radios

The TalkAbout radios...

 

Games

Deck of Cards, Scrabble…

NOTE: We’ll bring food and fuel for 7 days.

Knife Edge Possibility

An additional route we might consider, is going up Dudley Trail, across Knife's Edge and down Cathedral or Saddle trail. This is considered a technical climb in the winter, so we brought the following

Quantity

Item

Comments

2

9mm Ropes

 

2

Snow Pickets

for snow protection, more maybe better

4

Harnesses

 

4

Helmets

 

 This was not enough, I would bring next time, set of nuts, some tri-cams, and more biners.

The Food

This is our meal plan:

Day

Breakfast

Dinner

Comment

Wednesday

Bagels, Donuts

bought in the way up

Frozen Veggies, Macaroni and Cheese

XC-ski in day

Thrusday

Oatmeal, Raisins, choc. chip cookies, butter

4 knorr Soup, 4 cups of rice

Hike to Chimney Pond

Friday

No Cooking day, 16 pop tarts

Frozen Ravioli, powdered tomato sauce

1st attempt

Saturday

Oatmeal

Freeze dried dinner

2nd attempt

Sunday

Raman

Lipton Pasta or Rice

head down

Monday

Oatmeal

Raman

Extra day food 1

Tuesday

Oatmeal

Raman

Extra day food 2

In addition to this there is sausages and salami. Everyone is responsible for their trail mix (lunch)

Transportation

The following information is provided to help you in your trip planning: The public highway leading to the South Entrance of the Park (Togue Pond Gate) from Millinocket is plowed as far as Millinocket Lake, where parking area is provided. Winter visitors to Baxter State Park are advised to take the "Golden Road" from Millinocket Lake for 10 miles and park in the provided parking area near Abol Bridge on the West Branch of the Penobscot River. Bowater/Great Northern does not allow parking at any other points along their road.

The public highway leading to the North Entrance of the park from Patten (Rt. 159) is plowed as far as the Matagamon parking lot about 1/4 mile beyond the bridge over the East Branch of the Penobscot River.

All Park visitors are encouraged to stop at Baxter State Park Headquarters, off Route 157 in Millinocket (right next to McDonald's), for the latest Park and weather information. Headquarters hours are 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M. Monday-Friday. Finally, if there is any further help we can give to assist in trip preparation or planning, please don't hesitate to write or call.