It started raining one hour into my hike and did not let up for the rest of the day.
I really should not have been on the Knife Edge that day. Another hiker caught up to me and we adjusted our paces to stick together, as we were both mutually relieved someone else was dumb enough to be on the slick rocks in that rain and wind.
Only one other person I know of summited that day -- and he was a 69-year-old man who was very ill-outfitted and hypothermic, so getting to the ranger station down the extremely windy Saddle Trail to alert the ranger, hanging out and drying as the ranger got this guy warm and dry, and then walking him (and 60-70 pounds of his soaking wet gear, from jeans to flannel to asundry items) back took some time and pain.
Recommend descending the Saddle Trail, but those high winds are unlike any I have ever experienced anywhere in my life.
13 hours on the trail by the time I was done, 12 of which I spent soaked to the bone.
All in all a great day, beautiful mountain, and the weather helped ensure I had relative solitude. :-)
A very hard-earned SHP #32.
funnyfarm - Jun 8, 2013 9:17 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2013
Tale of Two Days
With only Abol and Hunt trails open, I was hesitant. I am not very experienced on technical leaning trails or scrambles. Morning was beautiful as I went up Abol. The weather turned nasty as I hit the summit and on the advice of the ranger I went down the Hunt trail. Not sure that was great advice but I made it five rain soaked hours later. Still had to hike two miles back to the car. I want to do it again when other tails are open. This was number 8.
sredfern - May 24, 2013 11:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2010
Crew 63 Summits Katahdin
Summited with the heartiest members of my BSA Venture Crew including my son. Weather was good, and we summited mid morning. We considered crossing Knife Edge but weather forecast wasn't great and we decided not to chance it. Fantastic hike!
lutty11 - Feb 17, 2013 4:14 pm Date Climbed: Feb 15, 2013
Great Area
Great setting, tons of route options. Had to bail on summit attempt (Waterfall Gully) due to unstable snow. Get it Next time!
THalky - Jan 28, 2013 1:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
#14 - Best day in my highpointing adventures so far
Up Cathedral Ridge and down Knife's Edge.
Had more fun on this hike than any other. Weather was good, we had a day of rest in between, and the trails were more engaging; looking for the best way up or where to put your foot. Some adrenalin on knifes edge too. Especially when the fog started rolling in on one side of the edge.
xbaghat - Jan 20, 2013 11:07 am Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2010
thirty-four
...
Jimmy Rivers - Jan 4, 2013 6:01 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
Favorite day on a Northeastern mountain, maybe ever!
We had amazing weather on our end of summer tour of Northeast highpoints. This was my 14th state HP. We took the Cathedral Ridge trail up, and at the summit saw a few guys completing their AT hike. Then we continued on to the Knife Edge and Helen Taylor. 70 degrees weather, and just so much fun up there! I'll go back to Maine again....
captainbuuda - Dec 24, 2012 1:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2012
The Beginning: Katahdin to the Dragon's Tooth
I had a beautiful day to summit. Other thru-hikers I knew spoke of horrendous rain, fog, and generally nasty weather on their summit of Katahdin. Not for me. It felt like God smiling on me giving me wind to cool me down and to dry things off after the rain from the night before. And the Knife Edge Route was actually less dangerous on a whole than my descent via the Hunt Trail/A.T.
marilou - Nov 29, 2012 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
Windy Summit
My very first high point! Very windy at the summit, hence, the park rangers advised our group not to climb via the Knife's Edge.
ljbailey - Nov 16, 2012 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
what a mountain!
I went up with a group of 12, we ended up hiking in different groups according to our speed/strength.....I can't wait to attempt in the winter!
JimWallace - Oct 26, 2012 8:20 am Date Climbed: Feb 11, 2012
Winter Knife edge
A superb climb. We traversed down the knife edge from baxter to Pamola. 65 mph winds made for a hair raising hike. Definatelt one of the Northeasts US best peaks
We arrived at Roaring Brook to clearing weather after a severe storm, planning to ascend via Chimney Pond and Saddle trails and descend via Knife Edge and Helon Taylor. The ranger initially talked us out of hiking that day. Dry Brook was a raging torrent and temperatures were dropping. After some delay and discussion, we fortunately decided to hike up and evaluate conditions for ourselves as we went. We were rewarded with a very fun hike and scramble in good conditions with amazing views in every direction. Departing the summit with only about two hours of light left, we decided to skip the Knife Edge in favor of the route we had ascended. HP43
alexbuck - Sep 22, 2012 6:52 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2010
Great hike
Have climbed Katahdin several times, via many routes. It is a great stomping ground no matter the season.
Redwic - Sep 18, 2012 12:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2012
An Awesome Experience!
Without question, this will go down as my most memorable and favorite hike in the NE USA. I took the Hunt Trail to the summit. Within 10 minutes of my arrival, a man showed up who was completing the Appalachian Trail (5 months, 10 days). 10 minutes later, another man showed up with his completion. Then 10 minutes later, another man completed the trail. During my descent, I passed nubmerous other people who were completing the Appalachian Trail. Talking with those people, and seeing their expressions with a major accomplishment, was a great experience. As for the Hunt Trail, the rock scramble section was the hardest... not because of anything really technical, but because 50+ MPH winds kept knocking me down as I scurried up boulders, and I occasionally had to take brief refuges from wind by stopping between tall boulders. Strangely, there was very little wind on "Tableland" and no wind at the summit... which was the opposite of what I had expected. This was my 47th State Highpoint.
BConley - Sep 11, 2012 7:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2012
HP #28
Hiked out and back the hunt trail. Weather was cold and rainy. Views were outstanding. Well worth the long steep hike.
Left at 5 in the morning and summited via the Helon Taylor route. Descended via the Saddle Trail. Round trip was about 6 hours. Scrambling up the defined ridge of the Helon Taylor trail makes this peak truly special. And, the view from Chimney pond is, without question, the most alpine vista on the east coast. Period. I felt like I was on the wrong side of the country. I can't wait to go back and climb the armadillo next!
LP - Aug 20, 2013 9:45 am Date Climbed: Aug 17, 2013
Awesome Road Trip to BaxterDid the 350 mile drive to finally get Katadhin! Totally worth it.
huskertriguy - Jun 14, 2013 12:59 pm Date Climbed: Jun 11, 2013
Saved it for a Rainy DayHelon Knife Edge up;
Saddle Trail/Chimney Pond down.
It started raining one hour into my hike and did not let up for the rest of the day.
I really should not have been on the Knife Edge that day. Another hiker caught up to me and we adjusted our paces to stick together, as we were both mutually relieved someone else was dumb enough to be on the slick rocks in that rain and wind.
Only one other person I know of summited that day -- and he was a 69-year-old man who was very ill-outfitted and hypothermic, so getting to the ranger station down the extremely windy Saddle Trail to alert the ranger, hanging out and drying as the ranger got this guy warm and dry, and then walking him (and 60-70 pounds of his soaking wet gear, from jeans to flannel to asundry items) back took some time and pain.
Recommend descending the Saddle Trail, but those high winds are unlike any I have ever experienced anywhere in my life.
13 hours on the trail by the time I was done, 12 of which I spent soaked to the bone.
All in all a great day, beautiful mountain, and the weather helped ensure I had relative solitude. :-)
A very hard-earned SHP #32.
funnyfarm - Jun 8, 2013 9:17 am Date Climbed: May 29, 2013
Tale of Two DaysWith only Abol and Hunt trails open, I was hesitant. I am not very experienced on technical leaning trails or scrambles. Morning was beautiful as I went up Abol. The weather turned nasty as I hit the summit and on the advice of the ranger I went down the Hunt trail. Not sure that was great advice but I made it five rain soaked hours later. Still had to hike two miles back to the car. I want to do it again when other tails are open. This was number 8.
sredfern - May 24, 2013 11:25 pm Date Climbed: Jul 4, 2010
Crew 63 Summits KatahdinSummited with the heartiest members of my BSA Venture Crew including my son. Weather was good, and we summited mid morning. We considered crossing Knife Edge but weather forecast wasn't great and we decided not to chance it. Fantastic hike!
lutty11 - Feb 17, 2013 4:14 pm Date Climbed: Feb 15, 2013
Great AreaGreat setting, tons of route options. Had to bail on summit attempt (Waterfall Gully) due to unstable snow. Get it Next time!
THalky - Jan 28, 2013 1:54 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
#14 - Best day in my highpointing adventures so farUp Cathedral Ridge and down Knife's Edge.
Had more fun on this hike than any other. Weather was good, we had a day of rest in between, and the trails were more engaging; looking for the best way up or where to put your foot. Some adrenalin on knifes edge too. Especially when the fog started rolling in on one side of the edge.
xbaghat - Jan 20, 2013 11:07 am Date Climbed: Jun 6, 2010
thirty-four...
Jimmy Rivers - Jan 4, 2013 6:01 am Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2012
Favorite day on a Northeastern mountain, maybe ever!We had amazing weather on our end of summer tour of Northeast highpoints. This was my 14th state HP. We took the Cathedral Ridge trail up, and at the summit saw a few guys completing their AT hike. Then we continued on to the Knife Edge and Helen Taylor. 70 degrees weather, and just so much fun up there! I'll go back to Maine again....
captainbuuda - Dec 24, 2012 1:33 pm Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2012
The Beginning: Katahdin to the Dragon's ToothI had a beautiful day to summit. Other thru-hikers I knew spoke of horrendous rain, fog, and generally nasty weather on their summit of Katahdin. Not for me. It felt like God smiling on me giving me wind to cool me down and to dry things off after the rain from the night before. And the Knife Edge Route was actually less dangerous on a whole than my descent via the Hunt Trail/A.T.
marilou - Nov 29, 2012 10:40 pm Date Climbed: Sep 5, 2010
Windy SummitMy very first high point! Very windy at the summit, hence, the park rangers advised our group not to climb via the Knife's Edge.
ljbailey - Nov 16, 2012 11:05 pm Date Climbed: Aug 12, 2006
what a mountain!I went up with a group of 12, we ended up hiking in different groups according to our speed/strength.....I can't wait to attempt in the winter!
JimWallace - Oct 26, 2012 8:20 am Date Climbed: Feb 11, 2012
Winter Knife edgeA superb climb. We traversed down the knife edge from baxter to Pamola. 65 mph winds made for a hair raising hike. Definatelt one of the Northeasts US best peaks
BellaTerra - Sep 26, 2012 1:19 am
Wow!Cathedral ridge -> knife edge was a really fun climb and the views were fantastic!
highlandvillager - Sep 24, 2012 1:06 pm Date Climbed: Sep 19, 2012
Fun despite the warningsWe arrived at Roaring Brook to clearing weather after a severe storm, planning to ascend via Chimney Pond and Saddle trails and descend via Knife Edge and Helon Taylor. The ranger initially talked us out of hiking that day. Dry Brook was a raging torrent and temperatures were dropping. After some delay and discussion, we fortunately decided to hike up and evaluate conditions for ourselves as we went. We were rewarded with a very fun hike and scramble in good conditions with amazing views in every direction. Departing the summit with only about two hours of light left, we decided to skip the Knife Edge in favor of the route we had ascended. HP43
alexbuck - Sep 22, 2012 6:52 am Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2010
Great hikeHave climbed Katahdin several times, via many routes. It is a great stomping ground no matter the season.
Redwic - Sep 18, 2012 12:43 am Date Climbed: Sep 11, 2012
An Awesome Experience!Without question, this will go down as my most memorable and favorite hike in the NE USA. I took the Hunt Trail to the summit. Within 10 minutes of my arrival, a man showed up who was completing the Appalachian Trail (5 months, 10 days). 10 minutes later, another man showed up with his completion. Then 10 minutes later, another man completed the trail. During my descent, I passed nubmerous other people who were completing the Appalachian Trail. Talking with those people, and seeing their expressions with a major accomplishment, was a great experience. As for the Hunt Trail, the rock scramble section was the hardest... not because of anything really technical, but because 50+ MPH winds kept knocking me down as I scurried up boulders, and I occasionally had to take brief refuges from wind by stopping between tall boulders. Strangely, there was very little wind on "Tableland" and no wind at the summit... which was the opposite of what I had expected. This was my 47th State Highpoint.
BConley - Sep 11, 2012 7:07 pm Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2012
HP #28Hiked out and back the hunt trail. Weather was cold and rainy. Views were outstanding. Well worth the long steep hike.
theuglybear - Jul 19, 2012 4:39 pm Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2012
Cathedral Ridge > Knife Edge / Helen TaylorWhat a mountain!
rickford - Jul 18, 2012 2:36 pm Date Climbed: Jul 15, 2012
A Truly Amazing Place...Left at 5 in the morning and summited via the Helon Taylor route. Descended via the Saddle Trail. Round trip was about 6 hours. Scrambling up the defined ridge of the Helon Taylor trail makes this peak truly special. And, the view from Chimney pond is, without question, the most alpine vista on the east coast. Period. I felt like I was on the wrong side of the country. I can't wait to go back and climb the armadillo next!
climbmn - Jul 14, 2012 12:41 pm Date Climbed: Jul 9, 2012
Perfect day with a little windBeautiful warm day with some wind towards the top. Completed the Hunt trail. More difficult than I anticipated.