“Greetings from Calais, Maine - wahoo! I'm gettin' quite a kick outta this library internet thing.

Lyndy - you may be able to purchase a map in the park, but if you or anyone wants I can photocopy mine or stop at headquarters on my way in and purchase some there.

I HAVE hiking poles and still end up on my butt, or my face. I only use one pole except for stream crossings - I can never coordinate them and mostly I find they are a pain in the neck. I'm always bruised, scratched and banged up - my legs are quite colorful right now! I am truly a klutz but I don't really mind. :)

It sounds like no one else is, so I'm not bringing any wine or other spirits. No need anyway, saves the morning wine head.

Ok, off to hike more of Maine!
I have luscious fresh scallops and the yummiest of smoked salmon (and gravlax, mmmm) waiting for my return to camp!”

“Twigeater, I just looked at the Baxter site, and they have tons of maps for sale. Which map or maps do I want? Thank you for the offer to make me a copy, but I think that I should get a waterproof one of the area where we are doing the 10 mile hike, at least.”

“I wish I was going on this trip!

8(”

“I wish you could make it Crazy Mike.. we gotta do a hike together sometime.”

“LyndyS: I got the AMC Maine Mountains (Map 1 & Map 2 on the same map)Map. Its printed on Tyvek type material and folds up to pocket size. It's a very nice map . . . paid $7.95.

CMB: I told you that all you have to do is call in sick for a week!! I have room up on my racks . . . lol! BTW, this trip is going to kick ass CMB!!!!

Artex: you know not what you ask for!!!”

“This sucks I want to go!!!!!!

8p”

“Hey Twig - are you on a Maine library tour? READ MAINE!! just doesn't sound the same.

Gforce - I haven't been through the Mahoosucs but it sounds pretty good to me. COOL that Cow Patty will there as well. The more the merrier.”

“No one wants to tell me what time the Katahdin hike will start on Friday? :-)

It looks like I will be arriving Friday morning. If I am there by 7:30 is that too late? Who is doing Katahdin, Knife's Edge?

HIKE MAINE!”

“I know Artex and myself want to do Knife's Edge. What time I don't know, but I'd guess it would be after 7:30.”

“What Pennsy said. Just so long as we leave before the ranger's "cut-off" time for summiting, but I don't think that's until hours after 7:30.

HIKE MAINE!”

“I'm confused. I thought that Knifes Edge was being hiked from the lean to that is 10 miles from the park campground.”

“Glad to see you all are organized. ;-)”

“They are organized, I'm just following the leader. ;-D”

“C'mon, Lyndy, would ya LOOK AT THE STINKIN MAP!!!!!

Just kidding, I know you don't have one yet, but no, Katahdin has to be on Friday. After we hike out Saturday morning we are several miles further from the Katahdin trailheads.

As I understand, the first two nights are at Roaring Brook, which we can drive to. The 10 mile hike Saturday morning takes us to Russell Pond, we play around the Russell Pond area Sunday, then hike 7 miles back out to Roaring Brook (where the cars are) on Monday.”

“Okay, I can take a hint, Fritz! I'm ordering the map RIGHT NOW! (thanks gforce for the info on what to get). I will attempt the Knifes Edge and if I make it great, if not, I'm just going to enjoy the hike.”

“HIKE MAINE!”

“Lyndy you want the Clark map, that's the one I've always used.

That's right Fritz, except the first two nights are at Avalanche Field, 2 miles from Roaring Brook.

The ranger would tell you it's a 10-12 hour trip - it probably won't be, but it can be. When jerbear did the Katahdin thing, we started at 8am, which is a good time to shoot for. It took us about 4 hours to get to Baxter peak (via Chimney Pond and Saddle trails) then he did the Knife Edge and came down Helon Taylor. I was in the parking lot at 5, he was back earlier, not sure how much though.

I know it's lame Pennsy, but I was asked to check in at work and I'm just poppin' in here for a little fun. :) Don't worry, I'm getting in plenty of hiking and other vacationy stuff!

So who's tenting?”

“Clark eh? I got an inexpensive map (paper darn it!) at Campmor that shows the car campground and the Knife's Edge but not the whole route to out Sat and Sun night camping spot. I'll try to get a Clark one when I get to Baxter. The Appalacian Trail maps 1 and 2 were hard to read (me being blind and all).

Can I tent? I'm bringing my Nallo2 just in case I can use it. I'm definitely getting psyched for this trip.

HIKE MAINE

”

“I'll bring my tent with me also, but I'm also absolutely fine with sleeping in the shelter. I'm totally flexible.

Only 14.5 days!!

HIKE MAINE!”

“I'll be perfectly happy in the shelter but will also have tent and/or hammock with me.

Now, a question about the Katahdin route. I'm kind of fascinated by the AT, so I am wondering if it would be just as nice a hike if we started at Katahdin Stream, followed the AT to Baxter Peak, then went down Knife Edge and Helen Taylor. If Chimney Pond is a nicer trail I am certainly happy with that. But if either is good, I'd like to do the AT.”

“So long as we go along Knife Edge at one point (no pun intended), I'll be happy. Either on the way up or down.. either is cool with me.”

“Ok twigeater now you have me cornfused again. (so what else is new!) So are you saying we have a choice between leanto and tent? It makes me no difference, but will somebody make up my mind . . . lol! Guess I'll have both just in case.

I'll be in for the knife edge route also . . . assuming the weather cooperates . . . and

HIKE MAINE”

“I think that there is room for 4 people in a lean-to at the first campground (Avalanche field) and room for 8 in the lean-to at the second campspot with spots reserved for three 2 man tents? Is that right? I prefer tenting but can certainly sleep in a lean-to with no problem as well. But I get up at night for the bathroom break so give me a pathway through the leanto. If I topple over everyone on my way out I'll cover by yelling "killer raccoon!"”

“
So what is with all the bold?”

“guess I was feeling a little bold and it spilled over. :):)

LyndyS that was an Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) map that I got, not an Appalachian Trail (AT) map.

Pennsy: which trail/route(s) have you taken to Mt. Washington?”

“Okay, I thought that they were the same, gforce. Are your maps easy to read without a microscope and full daylight? I saw on the news the other night that they now have contact lenses that reshape your eyes while you sleep, so that you get vision correction without surgery. Sounds like a dream come true for some of us.”

“You're right Twigster, that was lame. ;o) I must confess that I discovered an Internet Cafe in Bar Harbor. Verrrrry addicting.

Lyndy - why so concerned about maps? Don't ya trust us or are you going bushwhacking on your own?

Lean-to or tent? If I had my druthers, I'd opt for the lean-to. I'll have a tent with me just in case.

G-force - I've hiked to Mt Washington once. I really liked the route I took: the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to The Lakes in the Clouds Hut, then the Crawford Trail to the summit, descend via the Gulfside Trail and the Jewel Trail. A 9 mile loop that is much much less crouded than the traditional Pinkham Notch route. The Ammonoosuc is a great trail with a few waterfalls and a gorge along the way. Plus, if you're ambitious, there is the option to summit Monroe and Clay.

Sorry to talk about HIKE NEW HAMPSHIRE folks, but you know my main focus is on:

HIKE MAINE!!”

“Well you will need daylight or some light to read this map LyndyS . . . it doesn't glow in the dark! I don't know if you will need a microscope but the scale is 1:95000 (or one inch equals 1.5 miles) with contour intervals of 100 feet. So does that give you an idea on readability? lol! With that said I would justt follow twigeater's advice . . . she certainly should know which is best. Or like Pennsy said there will be plenty of maps there . . . we'll let you look. :) BTW, that vision correction sounds interesting.

OK back to NH Pennsy. I was considering the Crawford Path/Trail to the summit, but I'm not sure about 17 mi round trip with over 4700' elevation gain at this time of year. Maybe not enough daylight. Your route sounds pretty good. By the time we get done with NH we're going to be good and ready to . . . HIKE MAINE!!!!!”

“You guys need to get a room...I mean, um, a thread of your own. We don't care about NH (actually we are insanely jealous) and we don't want to have to keep reading about it (are you rubbing it in?)

:)”

“Yes Fritz is insanely jealous, and so am I! There just isn't enough time to hike all over the New England mountains when you have kids in sports and lessons. But someday.....

I almost bought maps for the White Mountains yesterday but I exercised restraint. Someday I will go there and do the less crowded routes. I took my kids hiking afterschool yesterday and they did so much better than when I started on my hiking kick 18 months ago. Lydia saw a dead mouse and was fascinated. Tara wanted to run the whole way. So I have hope that we will hike those mountains as a family.”

“Gettin' them hooked young, eh Lyndy? That's great!!! It's great taking people who are enthusiastic about hiking, and what better people than kids? :-) Pretty soon, you'll have them yelling "HIKE MAINE!!!" at the top of their lungs!”

“Yeah they have no problem yelling at the top of their lungs.. :P

HIKE MAINE!!!

”

“Bought new boots and a cheap pair of Tevas last night.

HIKE MAINE!!!”

“Cool!

I got a MSR 6 liter water bladder. For wine.

8-D”

“Oh just kidding, no alcohol allowed at Baxter right?”

“I bought a new cold weather sleeping bag (REI Down Time -5), MSR Whisperlight stove, and some gore-tex gaiters..

HIKE MAINE!”

“ok LyndyS and Fritz I promise to restrain myself from mentioning HIKING THE WHITES. But seriously, if someone lives close enuf to drive in for a dayhike on Sun it would make a great warmup to HIKE MAINE. So think about it!

Artex I sure hope that it does not get cold enuf that you need that -5* bag on the Maine trip! brrrrrrr!!”

“Yeah, the -5 degree bag is pretty much just as a precaution. But I don't want to take too much of a chance on 20 degee Kelty, which is really more like a 30 degree bag at best. The -5 bag will definitely be put to good use throughout this winter though!

HIKE MAINE!!!!”

“Insert a "the" right before 20 degree Kelty for my last post. I guess I'm just too excited that I'm going to

HIKE MAINE!!!!

”

“Avalanche Field holds 4 in the lean-to, the rest need to tent. Russell Pond holds 8 in the lean-to and we have space for 4, 2 person tents. So yes gforce, you have choices!

Alcohol is allowed in BSP Lyndy.

Up and over is a great way to do Katahdin and even I enjoy the Hunt Trail (AT), vertigo and all. There's just one place that makes me wanna cry. ;) If you choose to that trail, those staying at Avalanche Field'll have about an hours drive to the trailhead. I think it's 20 some odd miles from where we're staying, at 20mph...though I'm happy to truck you over if that's your choice.

When are you arriving Fritz? I was gonna say you guys could choose the route the night before, based on weather and what not, but if you're not coming in until that morning - might want to come up with a plan now???

I also just bought a zero degree mummy bag, rather than carry an extra bag as I sometimes do. However, my boots are gonna have to make this one last trip. Don't forget hats and mittens/gloves of some sort. I know it's rude and I wouldn't normally presume to tell ya what to bring, but my last partner was a little on the unprepared side. He looked some cute in my spare purple gloves. ;)”

“I was kidding about the 6 liters of wine, Twigeater, but I might bring a small amount of spirits to share since it is allowed. I will be bringing two sleeping bags since I don't have a seriously winter-like bag. It sounds like I can tent and I can fit a second female in my Hilleberg Nallo2 if one wants to join me. I have not heard from M&M so maybe she isn't going to make this trip.”

“lyndy, you are more then welcome to use my 0' bag. but only if we end up taking the cubs camping another weekend. But I would need it back for the Catskills trip....
but its your to use anytime!”

“Thanks Mapleleaf, but you should keep it in case you decide to get out that weekend. What kind did you get, by the way?”

“2nd hand. bought it off e-bay.
not sure but im happy with it!
keeps me warm and is low weight.
but im still holding out for SpongeBob tent and matching sleeping bag.”

“I'm really sure that I don't want any SpongeBob touching me!”

“Probably next summer or fall I'll try to buy a -10 or -20 degree bag to use for nights in the single digits. I will check ebay and do a thread to see if anyone is selling one on TrailTalk. Right now though, I have to be fiscally responsible.”

“thanks for that clarification twigeater . . . but gloves and mittens? You mean I might get cold? j/k

I'll have my tent along anyway from (shhhhh, not supposed to mention it here . . . the whites :)) another trip. So I'll be able to sleep leanto or tent at Avalanche Field. For the Russel Pond portion I'll just sleep in the leanto. BTW, any particular reason Avalanch Field was named AVALANCHE FIELD? :0”

“twigeater: is there a water pump or drinking water available at Avalanche Field or will we need to filter water there?”

“gforce - looking at my map, there are a couple of brooks near the campsite... so it doesn't look like a problem for at least filtering water. I may bring a couple gallons of water since we'll have our cars nearby for Avalanche Field... saaaaaay, why is it called that? :-)

As for spirts, I may have to bring some beer and/or JD along since it's legal. I'm not much of a drinker, but a cold one will probably taste pretty good after hiking up Katahdin!”

“When we are camped at Avalanch Field, how close will the cars be?”