HIKE MAINE 2003! (winter trip?)

“I think the key is to make sure the poles that connect you to the sled are long enough.”

“Lee,

When I was growing up in Georgetown (I was there until '94 - graduated from Georgetown High School), I went horseback riding down around Baldpate Pond (in Boxford) on a daily basis. I lived about .25-.5 miles from Baldpate Pond. Unfortunately, Baldpate Pond is now surrounded by houses and most of the trails are gone.”

“When I was young Boxford's town beach was on Baldpate Pond. There was an old boy scout camp on the property with abandoned buildings. I learned to swim there. The town beach was right where that new neighborhood is.

THis was back in the mid to late 60s early 70s. By 74 or so the town last its lease and moved the beach to Stiles Pond.”

“Yes, I recall that beach. I spent a lot of time there. I also spent a lot of time at the Camp (Camp Dennison). The camp was a great place to ride, as it was abandoned. There was (and still is) a nice big circle of grass for my horse to trot on, and a path that led to the nearby power lines.

On a side note, the camp has reopened off and on throughout the years. I took a walk down the camp this summer (my mother still leaves in Georgetown - her house is a mile away from the camp); it seems they're reopening it, at least as a day camp, for good. They were doing a good deal of construction down there.”

“I like the sled info. What I used for dragging my kids was a toboggan, and bundle em' up good. Them I tied a 20 rope around my waist and hooked to the toboggan. That was it! Down hill, I just went faster than the sled!!!!!! Most times anyways.

Today, they are have a clean up day in Cape Elizabeth, and I spied some old skiis. I grabbed them and we have an old toboggan. Sounds like I have most of the makings of something. I also have a ski jouring harness that I may be able to modify to use for this....”

“We did that when I was in the Natl Guard.

Man, we had some nice pile-ups dong that.
When one guy went down it was almost certain that everyone following would go down too.
And with all the gear we carried it was comical.
We were being pulled by snow mobiles each with two climbing ropes attached parallel and three dopes on each rope.”

“forget the cabin, bunkhouse, tents, or lean to's. check this out:

http://www.etisurvival.com/snocv.htm”

“we used to make those in the front yard when we were kids :)

what about yurts, man!”

“I thought you were "kinda out straight today." The yurt's in NH look awesome! Maybe people are interested in a trip to the yurt's in Dec.? I have to warn you though, organizing things is not my strongpoint. And that's wolfman to you missy.”

“bite me !

that was then, this is now....since I didn't get lunch, I'm leaving early to go have an adult beverage - bye!”

“lemme guess.....Maine's king of beers - BUD LIGHT!”

“Don't forget the Pabst Blue Ribbon! And you can pull a wolfman and add some V8.

yech!”

“Oh No! Tommy T is STILL talking about sledding with the Guards. *sigh* Next thing you know he'll be talking again about the sven saw he forgot.... haha! BTW, I did bring a sven to Maine and it's awesome.

Twigster - I like that sled on the Katahdin.net site. I took the first step and bought the sled today.. $8.44 from Walmart.

Besides, we'll need sleds to haul in enough grub to keep Wolfy fed. ;o)”

“oops, I see I was logged on as my wife.... we need two 'puters!!!!”

“oooooh yeah, I forgot about the bloody that sometime)

I told everbody about that Pabst thing, most people didn't even know it was still being made! The pub I went to makes it's own beer, so I had to settle for "Bug Lager." And yummy wings!

I'm already thinking about wolfie's grub...and mine too... but only if wolfmans brother can tell me what being out straight means, lol! (you peeps are sooo strange sometimes) %}”

“wtf? - I'm really not illiterate!

What I meant to say was..."oooooh yeah, I forgot about the bloody beer, ick....(but I mean to try that sometime)

:)”

“I just thought it was your accent. ;o)

Gremlin mentioned Katahdin on an earlier post. Twigeater said something about a special permit for that?? Also, if it's doable, I'm probably game. Is there special equipment required besides crampons and a lack of sanity?”

“Katahdin + Winter = Big fun!

If doable, I'm in like Flynn.”

“Who the heck is Flynn? Is he related to "in like FLINT?"”

“hey maybe you guys will find out why Avalanche field was named A V A L A N C H E field after all. lol!”

“Pennsy, you don't know who Flynn is? And you scold me for not knowing about the W tree? Good God man!”

“I still can't believe you don't know what's buried under the big "W." *sigh*

I thought it was "In like Flint" like the James Coburn Flint characater. No?

G-man, why don't come and find out for yourself. ;o)”

“OH OH oh, I know this one!

Errol Flynn, in with the ladies.

In like Flynn”

“Thank-you Lyndy, I didn't know that? Should I ask about the W tree?

Whatever you guys want to do is fine with me, but please read the winter handbook about avalanches and rescue.
You need a party of four and each member must have crampons and an ice ax. There's a bunch of other good info you can read on the website.”

“...and gremlin I need your e-mail address if you're still interested...”

“Maybe I am being naive about this. OK, probably I am being naive, but...do we have the expertise in this group (of those considering a winter ascent of Kathdin) to lead those of us who have never used crampons or carried an ice axe?”

“Not naive at all Fritz.

Honestly, I'm not too keen on signing my name to any forms attesting that anyone's up to a winter ascent of Katahdin. Since it looks like we need two permits anyway, and therefore two leaders, maybe the Katahdin group can be on a separate permit.

The other thing is, do you think you can summit Katahdin from Roaring Brook?”

“Hey Fritz thinks like I do.

I'm always trying to make sure that I can take care of my kids when I return from a backpacking trip, not the other way around.”

“Yeah, perhaps it's not totally wise. Situation demands further evaluation and pondering. Either or, I'll just be happy to be in MAINE!!!!!”

“I think we should do it (climb it that is).”

“I've said before I hate to assess a trip for others based on my own shortcomings, but I'm thinking the 12 miles in is a very rugged trip - or it could be a piece of cake - depending on a number of variables. I'm bettin' on rugged though and a bunch of equipment problems, just to be prepared.

I've winter hiked mountains outside the park in just my regular hiking boots and sometimes yaktrax, no problem. Last year in BSP was the first time I went up a mountain in snowshoes. It was just a little mountain ~1,700' but different than any winter hiking I'd done before and it took us way longer than we expected.”

“The list:

twigeater
Artex
Pennsy Hiker
Fritz
Uphill Klimber
Skeetah Bait
wolfman's brother
Tom Terrific
blahchool
lee
wolfmans brother girlfriend

that's 11, which puts us over by one. Anybody want to volunteer to put in for a second permit? Needs a leader and two assistant leaders. The Katahdin maybes could be on one permit. Otherwise we'll need to drop a person.

Also need to know - if we can't get bunkhouse space, do you want tent, lean-to, or out of the trip?
Please send your completed team member form with your check.
form
thanks!”

“With significant equipment issues (an unbalanced and rolling sled that ate 1 1/2 hours) 6.5 miles took a friend and I 6 hours.

Daylight goes fast in the winter.


I think the 12 mile ski would need a very early start to enhance its chance for comfortable success. (as opposed to uncomfortable success)”

“I agree.”

“My experience on snowshoes on moderate terrain is about 1 mph.”

“If you haven't already, check out monkey boy's thread:

skis and snow shoes”

“Twig, I faxed over my assistant leader info. Lemme know if I screwed up the paperwork!”

“thanks!

I think we'll keep this trip at the limit of 10. The Compass Pond cabin will be snug with 10 people anyway. I'll put the last person I hear from on the list in case someone else who paid can't make it. OK? Some are reserving their spots even though they aren't sure if they can make it.

BTW, I'm really interested in the NH yurt to yurt thing. If others are interested and no one else wants to plan it (you chicken, wolfman) I will.”

“Winter climb up Katahdin... Sounds like a challenge to be bragged about later. However, I have no ice gear, and I kinda suspect that it will be more work, watching the clock and not so much play. Anyone with any experience here, I would love to hear from. I could be easily swayed to take it on, but I would have to know that we can do it.”

“I'm tending to agree with you UK. My only experience is one hike with crampons and some snowshoe experience. By March I hope to have more experience, but I will very happy just to be there.

As far as shelter goes, I have no problem staying in a lean-to or a tent. I have a 4 season tent and I WON'T FORGET the poles this trip.

Twigster - you mentioned that form to be sent in with the check. I mailed the check yesterday but no form. You want that sent to you? Also, I am horrible with forms and stuff but if no-one volunteered to be an asst, I'll help out if I can.

Oh yeah - I just came back from Home Depot. I have all the stuff needed to build my sled. Woohoo! Bring on the snow!”

“I need everyone's info for the forms - you can e-mail me the required info and I'll fill out the form.

Tenting and lean-tos are options, if anyone prefers that, let me know. It's $10/per night rather than $16.

Looking forward to it!”

“Didn't I hear Twigeater's friend, Ranger Bob, or Rick or... I forget his name, say that to do Katahdin, you had to start at Chimney Pond in the Morning? That would cut down the required time, but it would still be long day with short sunlight hours.
$.02”

“I wouldn't attempt Katahdin from Roaring Brook in the winter, but I'm not interested in doing Katahdin this trip anyway. I'm also not the boss - just chief cook and bottle washer, lol. (don't start with me, people) ;)

I think we've adopted the wait and see approach - who knows what the conditions will be in March. I know I've got a lot to do to prepare for this trip - I'm excited! I've always wanted to stay in a lean-to in winter, maybe this trip, maybe not.”

“PS - UK I sent you e-mails.

One other thing, I'm glad you pointed that out about extruded aluminum (or whatever you said) the shoes I had last time got scratched all to hell on the rocks on Trout Brook mountain, but never bent.”

“Isn't Katahdin closed from October to March?”

“Nope, Baxter Park is open for day use 365 days a year (I learned something new there). The regular camping season is from May 15 - October 15, depending on the campground. The winter camping season is December 1 to March 30.”

“Winter day hikes of Katahdin require a special permit that you have to get two weeks in advance, although I bet a lot don't bother.
Katahdin via the Abol trail is supposed to be the quickest in winter.

I hope we see some skiers, snowboarders or ice climbers in the basin!”

“"Chief cook and bottle washer"? Now where did I hear that expression with regards to Twigeater before?

You risk being expelled from the SIAVWA (Smart Independent And Vengeful Women's Assoc).”

“Remember that we women now know what a pocketknife is for!”

“Did you start a thread to recruit members yet? hehe

I just got back from LLBean - the winter demo day is Nov 9 for anyone in the area.”