Be prepared. A 75-year-old Massachusetts man died Wednesday after he got lost hiking near the top of Mount Katahdin and fell while spending the night on the mountain awaiting rescuers. Its possible youll get stuck in traffic at the Togue Pond Gate, and parking reservations are guaranteed only until 7 a.m. Example video title will go here for this video. This post was first published in 2017 and has been updated. Fortunately, he let us in and we got one of the last parking slots at the campground. Dont let sleeping in ruin your chances of getting a shot at this classic loop. Ive hiked Kahtadin four times by 3 routes. The higher you climb, the more exposed you are. A kind ranger met us on the way back and lent us a flashlight to improve the visibility of the trail (better than the headlamps!) The route eventually drops below treeline and crosses a small brook, and after 3.2 miles you will rejoin the Chimney Pond trail and arrive at Roaring Brook campground soon thereafter. Thank you!We have T-Shirts now too, check them out here: https://teespring.com/stores/adventure-archives-merchandise----------Cameras:Sony A7s iii - https://amzn.to/36zROjkLenses:Sony 20mm f1.8 - https://amzn.to/3otOhZTSigma 28-70 - https://amzn.to/3IcEdyUMic:Rode Videomic Pro+ - https://amzn.to/2QBMjbX--OUR CAMPING GEAR!--Virtus Knives - http://www.virtusknives.com/store/Condor Bushlore Knife - http://amzn.to/1JaBBv7Equinox Egret Tarp - http://amzn.to/1BIqkmWEureka Casper Sleeping Bag - http://amzn.to/1BXhlxHBuck 119 Knife - http://amzn.to/1TrKgQYMora Craftline Q Knife - http://amzn.to/1TrKffTKatadyn Water Filter - http://amzn.to/1onus3PPlatypus Bladder - http://amzn.to/1TrKfNcSome of the links above are Amazon affiliate links. Its so important to Leave No Trace when youre in nature. Roaring Brook trailhead (45.91944, 68.85737) has a campground, a ranger station, and outhouses at the parking area, but dont expect to find potable water. Being above treeline means you are fully exposed to the elements including wind, rain, hail, fog, lightning, snow, and cold. Yes. Whilenot quite as rough, the rockiness of the hike does not ease up after summiting Baxter Peak. Whether theyre looking to complete the Appalachian Trail or hike the highest mountain in Maine, summiting Katahdin is their answer. Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin. Also, hiking in Baxter is very different than say, the White Mountains as everything seems to take much longer than one would think. However, when the top ends of his frame back kept getting jammed on the rock overhangs and he tried to muffle his sobs, I realized that my enthusiasm might have just crossed the line. Percival P. Baxter, once the governor of Maine, donated the land of Baxter State Park to create, protect, and provide the people of Maine a wilderness area. With a breakfast and sixteen hrs of sleep a more serious situation had been avoided with a story told many times. Most people would consider Hamlin Peak to be a full value day in and of itself, but how could anyone stop when Maines crown jewel is only 2.2 miles and 1,000 feet of elevation gain away? I climbed once in the beginning of September having to navigate ice covered rocks on the tablelands. It is very special and I recommend it to anyone who wants to see Maines untouched beauty. It took us around 10 hours, including a 30 min or so lunch at the top. He knows our route but being nightime doesnt send anyone to look for us. It took a little longer with 64-year-old legs, but it was a father-daughter climb, making it a sweet adventure. P.S. We respect your privacy. All Rights Reserved. If weather looks bad though turn around and head in. MILLINOCKET, Maine The body of a hiker was found Thursday, Oct. 8 at approximately 10 a.m. on the summit of Katahdin in Baxter State Park. Katahdin in Maine using the Helon Taylor Trail. The trail starts out quite mellow and you will immediately pass the Helon Taylor trail junction on your left. Its just a couple of steps, but it is surprising. It was an amazing summit capped off by meeting Uphill and Two Tents, two Appalachian Trail finishers. The Knife Edge Trail on Mount Katahdin can be exceptionally narrow at times. The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox. This goes without saying for any hike, but definitely one with the magnitude of Katahdin. It took an agonizing 4 and now its 8pm and I know we arent going to make it. Learn from our mistakes to make hiking Mount Katahdin your realtiy! Katahdin. Make your way to the Togue Pond Gatehouse as early as you can. According to a tweet from his son MacGillis was a journalist who had worked as an editor for the Berkshire Eagle and the Boston Globe. Although only 1.1 miles in length and 365 ft in elevation gain, knife edge trail is difficult particularly due to its full exposure condition. The most dramatic ascent is via a 1.1-mile corridor known as the Knife Edge Trail. The parking lot will be closed and locked and the ranger is going to see our car and realize we are not back. As these become easier and you learn more about the great outdoors, start to increase the distance of your hike and the weight of your pack. For most experienced hikers, you know what a 10+ mile day and 4,000 feet of elevation gain feels like. You can be responsible for up to three different fees if youre hiking Mount Katahdin. There were so many clouds we could not see anything. : The Saddle Trail may be considered the easy route, however, its still no joke. Another hiker dies on Mt. After around 1.5 to 2 hours of steady climbing, the trail reaches the bottom of the slide. This ridgeline is as narrow as four feet, with 2,000-foot drops on either side in some places. The cleft off of Pamola is no joke, going down or up out of it. Shop Our Favorite February Amazon Deals Before the Sales End, The 14 Best Mineral Sunscreens of 2023, According to Pros, 14 TikTok-Famous Cleaning Products That Actually Work, According to Our Experts, 14 Best Healthier Candy Alternatives of 2023, According to Taste Tests. You will climb over 1,700 feet in 1.3 miles and youll have a hard time focusing on the terrain at your feet with the scenery that surrounds you. The view after crossing the Knife Edge Trail. Credit: David Wilson The Knife Edge. Trekking poles will come in handy to keep your balance but you may need to stow them at times while clinging to the rock with both hands. I had done knife edge twice both ways in a single previous hike. Unsubscribe at any time. It was her first trek on this mountain, but she was 30, and in great shape, so I knew it would be a success. By the way, if I may, Big Moose Inn in Millinocket Lake is a great place to stay. He started Stetson and Watson which was a highly successful engineering firm. Luckily a last minute permit and campsite cancelation led us to Mount Katahdin. If you want to hike the greatest mountain, we have 8 tips to help you find success. The boulder hopping on the Knife Edge can be daunting for someone who doesnt have good balance, and thats why it often takes so long to complete. Katahdin. All rights reserved. He was a well-known and highly respected outdoorsman and adventurer who often led groups in the back country. It is very important that you pack multiple high-energy snacks for your trip. In 1984, two hikers, 29-year-old Ken Levanway and 30-year-old Steve Hilt, who lived in Troy, N.Y., were killed in an avalanche on the mountain. Tell us about it! Down climbing on loose rocks is no fun, especially if you brace yourself on one of the seemingly stable rocks! The low point on this trail is fittingly called the Saddle, and the nearby Saddle Trail (45.91388, 68.93245) provides the best escape route off the ridge in case of deteriorating weather. This is where most people will ditch the snowshoes and switch to mountaineering crampons. Lots of exposure. It bills itself as closest to the Baxter State Park entrance and is across the lake from New England Outdoor Center at a place where the Golden Road and the Baxter Park road briefly come together. Its name, provided by the Penobscot Native Americans, quite literally means, The Greatest Mountain. This will ensure you have the fuel to complete the hike.Some of our favorite high-energy snacks include peanut butter, beef jerky, nuts and seeds, tuna, fruit (fresh or dried), and protein bars. Ps: great story! Getting to the park is by far the easiest part of this trip. This hike is a serious undertaking and many hikers underestimate it. Fourtrails, ninemiles, two peaks. As you improve, it would be beneficial to start adding elevation gain to your list of hike requirements as well. Allowing for an early start it is not a problem for a hiker of good ability.
For a complete trail guide of this hike, please visit: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/mt-katahdin-via-knife-edge-hike-trail-guide/WATCH MORE New England Hikes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjce9PH2Pl75CEgiw0zeUF8r6aIbdILe1YDS Class System Explained: https://www.thevirtualsherpa.com/yds-class-system-explained/Purchase Virtual Sherpa Gear Here! has these chocolate cake doughnuts in a bag that are just killer! a Massachusetts man fell 50 feet off Knife Edge and later died at a hospital. Without a doubt, traversing the Knife Edge was one of the most mentally and physically intense experience of my life. A Massachusetts man has died after a hiking accident in Baxter State Park.Officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Edge on Mount Katahdin.He and his 25-year-old nephew lost the trail Wednesday morning in dark and foggy conditions.They got in touch with authorities who told them to shelter in place until daylight.Officials said they got another call a few hours later from the nephew saying his uncle had been injured after a fall.At first light, rangers were able to get to the two men. 3rd being via the Knife Edge. It requires a bit of true climbing and some skill in finding footholds especially if you have short legs. You Need to be at Baxter State Parks Entrance around 4:00 AM; I know this sounds excessive, but believe me when I say you wont even be the first car in line. This spring is generally a reliable place to find water if needed, and its cold water is remarkably pure. Whether youre a long-distance backpacker, a peak bagger, or just someone looking for the best hiking that New England has to offer, a trip to Katahdin has adventure written all over it! My wife and I hiked Mount Katahdin twice first over Labor Day weekend in 1977 (both in our early 20s) and second in October 2014 (37 years later you can do the math on our ages!) Proper equipment, weather preparedness, and good decision-making are necessities. Katahdin, the second death this week . I decided to re-tackle this peak via the Knife Edge trail which is one of the most exposed hikes in all of New England. July 10, 2021 Hiking.

This final major peak on the Baxter-Hamlin circuit affords a fine line of sight over your entire route thus far, with a particularly impressive perspective of the Knife Edge in all its glory. Knifes Edge in my 30s, the jello legs kicked in but thanks to my hiking buddy, we made our way across. Our decision-making skills kept us from traversing Knife Edge and making it to Katahdin in August of 2019. Katahdin, the second death this week, Two women missing from Topsham area found safe in East Hancock, Clinton man dies after vehicle rolls into water, Garrett-Reed to lead the Office of Affordable Health Care, Harm reduction advocates defend Maine doctor facing opioid distribution charges. Some of the more popular include: Budget Hotels in the nearby town of Millinocket, 20 miles from Baxter State Park: There are no dogs allowed in Baxter State Park. But one state over and roughly 200 miles away, there stands a mountain that draws adventurers from all over to the rural back roads of Maine, the lush forests of Baxter State Park, and trails that are more like a game of rocky hopscotch. The first time I climbed Katahdin, the hike was an afterthought. But its an incredibly scenic trail and great fun to hike. Keep Maine beautiful. Absolutely! Oddly enough, I am not particularly comfortable with heights that have sheer dropoffs but I didnt find the Knife Edge all that scary. They are equally scary, although Cathedral takes way more time to climb. The lands in the park were gifted to the state by former Governor Percival Baxter between 1931 and 1962, and as such are required to remain forever wild. This means that you will have to abide by such arcane regulations as no pets allowed, no power equipment such as chainsaws, generators, or Bluetooth speakers, no public consumption of alcohol, no drones, no children under the age of 6 above tree line on Katahdin, and no wearing of white cargo pants after Labor Day. Knife Edge is a 1.1 mile fully exposed, technical hike. Derek Quiet fell while he and some companions were climbing off a marked trail near a part of the summit known as the Knife Edge. The next leg of this loop back-tracks 0.3 miles to the North Basin Trail and continues through a spruce forest for less than half a mile to reach a large cairn marking the Hamlin Ridge trail on the left (45.92297, 68.90857). We woke up in our campsite near the park at 5:00, leaving at 5:30 to arrive around 6:00, then started our hike at about 7:15 and ended at about 4:40. This loop tackles five notable summits in the heart of Maines fabled Baxter State Park. A Day Use Reservation will be held for you until 7:00 AM on the day of your planned hike; after this time, your spot will be given to other hikers on a first come first serve basis.Maine residents have a leg up on other hikers. Pamola & Chimney Peaks, Mt Katahdin. Hiking in September allowed time without black flies and less mosquitos. The section called the knife edge is a narrow, rocky hike along the ridge of the peaks for about a mile in length and about 360 feet of elevation change. That way, you can summit Katahdin in less-than-ideal weather conditions and not waste your attempt.It is important to note that cold and rainy conditions are okay for hiking when properly prepared. Go here for this video officials said 75-year-old Donald MacGillis fell 50 feet off Knife Trail... A bag that are just killer guaranteed only until 7 a.m to Katahdin in of... Flies and less mosquitos died at a hospital 64-year-old legs, but it was an afterthought beneficial to adding. 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