I've probably climbed Katahdin 15 times over the years, first time when I was about 7. My father used to take us just about every summer. My younger brother did it when he was 5 (!!) we have the pictures to prove it. I have a 5 year old of my own now and can't imagine... looking forward to bringing him in a few years though.
mountaindan - Dec 14, 2009 6:40 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2009
Beautiful Days
Three of the most Beautiful days, perfect weather and no bugs.
Camped at Roaring brook (with the Bears) climbed Helon Taylor and descended Cathedral trail. I cant wait to go back, hopefully for a winter ascent
JHH60 - Nov 2, 2009 11:24 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 1978
First summit in college
Climbed via the Knife Edge with the Harvard Outing Club during my Freshman year in college. Beautiful hike.
birdhead - Oct 9, 2009 10:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2009
One Day Window
I had a one day window for a Katahdin climb and made plans to go up the Helon Taylor trail , across the Knife Edge, and then down the Saddle trail. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. The park rangers insisted that I ascend the Saddle trail and evaluate the possibility of descending the Knife Edge once on the summit. I did as they recommended and was the first to summit that day. On top it became very clear to me that the Knife Edge was not happening because the winds were blowing 45 mph, the visibility was 100ft, hail was coming down, and the ambient temperature was easily below freezing. I ultimately just descended the Saddle trail and felt lucky to reach the summit at all, as the weather continued to degrade over the next couple of days. Despite being unable to experience the Knife Edge, I felt it was still a really impressive mountain in a beautiful area full of amazing fall colors.
derekthered - Sep 23, 2009 12:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2007
holy cow
hiked up the hunt spur in a rain storm. nearly got blown off the mountain, so we had to scratch our plans for the knife edge. oh well...
imzadi - Sep 14, 2009 1:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
FINALLY
Up Cathedral, down Helon Taylor
AWESOME...well worth the wait!
IHaveArrived - Aug 30, 2009 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2009
Beautiful day on Katahdin
I lucked out and summited Mt. Katahdin on a beautiful August day without a cloud in the sky. In fact on the descent, the afternoon sun had baked the rocks enough that it felt like hiking in a furnace and I quickly went through the 2l of water I carried.
Did this in '06. So much fun!! Reminds me of Kelso Ridge on Torreys Peak in CO.
Lenny72 - Aug 2, 2009 5:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 1999
To the Summit of Mount Katahdin
Long winter approach in. Weather was marginal but we made it to the summit! Total mileage, including approach, climb to summit, general hiking around in Baxter State Park, and back to our cars was 44 miles in 3.5 days. Very exhausting but beautiful! However, I have no desire to do another winter trip there. The approach to the base of the mountain is 13 miles alone! In winter, you are too far from help should anything go wrong.
weathergirl42 - Jul 6, 2009 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2009
Katahdin Rocks!
Ascended via Hunt Trail into the worst weather I've ever seen. The wind was literally knocking me off my feet and it was pelting ice-cold rain. Descended on Saddle to Baxter Peak Cutoff back to Hunt. Solo summit on my 29th birthday! HP #5. I can't wait to go back in nice weather and try the Knife's Edge!
osatrik - Jun 29, 2009 4:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 1989
SHP # 33, in 1989
Easily the most interesting of the east coast state highpoints to climb, my daughter and I did this climb after a 6 month hiatus from highpointing, the longest drought up to that point. We had a wonderful experience, including having a moose stroll though our Chimney Pond camp. We did the full traverse, up to Chimney Peak, and then across the so-called knife edge to the summit, before descending the Saddle Trail. Katahdin was number 33 of my 49 state high points, and number 32 for Vanessa.
Hotoven - Apr 20, 2009 2:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2002
First heavy duty rock scramble
Climbed it with my family. It was very fun and worth the trip! It was the highlight of the trip given the view once we hit the top.
SLinehan88 - Dec 8, 2008 1:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2008
Cathedral, saddle
Low clouds and rain made Cathedral trail an interesting climb. Visibility was only 20 feet at times, but once we got above the clouds it was great.
jamesmh - Nov 30, 2008 11:10 am Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2007
I granite
I did the "usual" route up Katahdin via the AT. Once above tree line the hike up the granite is fantastic.
kavak - Oct 15, 2008 10:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2004
Via Saddle Trail
This was my second attempt. In May of 1997 there was too much snow on the mountain for the rangers to open the peak. This is an impressive mountain even for someone from Colorado. My youngest son and I climbed into the clouds. There were no views at the summit other than the numerous summit signs.
climbhighnow - Oct 6, 2008 9:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2008
Dudley Trail>Knife Edge>Saddle Tral
Had a lucky break in the weather until about half way across the knife edge, from then on the mountain was totally socked in by clouds. Amazing place though, and prob. my new favorite east coast mountain.
imzadi - Sep 30, 2008 8:50 am Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2008
attempt thwarted!!
It figures...no hurracaines have come close to Maine in quite a few years. The weekend we planned to hike Katahdin (since MAY!!), hurracaine Kyle decides to make an appearance!! They shut down the mountain...so much for being on top of the world (in Maine anyway)! Heck, got to camp out at Chimney Pond Campground and look at the beautiful mountain (when the fog and clouds allowed me to). I'm SO glad we had a tarp for that evening...
Oh well...as the old addage goes...the mountain ain't going anywhere.
All the rangers we encountered said we probably wouldn't summit because of the rain, but we went ahead and hiked anyway. We were the first group out of Roaring Brook and first out of Chimney Pond. We headed up Saddle and nabbed Baxter before 11 AM and then took the Knife Edge down, getting South, Chimney and Pamola Peaks on the way. By the time we got back to Chimney Pond, we were almost totally dry despite having soaked through our hardshells. It was a long (11 hours), hard, and pretty cold day, but totally worth it. Traversing the Knife Edge in the mist was one of the coolest mountain experiences I've had.
Hey...we were there on the 27th too!! We DIDN'T summit on the 27th...we were wet, cold, and frustrated (our lean to was TRASHED so we couldn't unpack our 40 lb backpacks to hit the summit right away). Of course, once we got unpacked and were ready to hit it (it had stopped raining, we were dry and fed)...it was 12:30 and cut off is 11:00! Despite others who went up past cut off...we "followed the rules" and stayed down. Heck, as we were staying the night, we can at least hit Baxter via the Saddle tomorrow, right? NOPE!!! 9-28...they shut the mountain down!! I almost cried.
bryangast - Jan 7, 2010 8:39 pm Date Climbed: Oct 4, 1996
Nice hikeSome fog, but a nice easy hike via the "knife edge". I must say that the route sounded much more spectacular than it really was.
Vizzini - Dec 18, 2009 10:58 am
Started HereI've probably climbed Katahdin 15 times over the years, first time when I was about 7. My father used to take us just about every summer. My younger brother did it when he was 5 (!!) we have the pictures to prove it. I have a 5 year old of my own now and can't imagine... looking forward to bringing him in a few years though.
mountaindan - Dec 14, 2009 6:40 pm Date Climbed: Sep 9, 2009
Beautiful DaysThree of the most Beautiful days, perfect weather and no bugs.
Camped at Roaring brook (with the Bears) climbed Helon Taylor and descended Cathedral trail. I cant wait to go back, hopefully for a winter ascent
JHH60 - Nov 2, 2009 11:24 pm Date Climbed: Sep 30, 1978
First summit in collegeClimbed via the Knife Edge with the Harvard Outing Club during my Freshman year in college. Beautiful hike.
birdhead - Oct 9, 2009 10:01 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2009
One Day WindowI had a one day window for a Katahdin climb and made plans to go up the Helon Taylor trail , across the Knife Edge, and then down the Saddle trail. Unfortunately, the weather had other plans. The park rangers insisted that I ascend the Saddle trail and evaluate the possibility of descending the Knife Edge once on the summit. I did as they recommended and was the first to summit that day. On top it became very clear to me that the Knife Edge was not happening because the winds were blowing 45 mph, the visibility was 100ft, hail was coming down, and the ambient temperature was easily below freezing. I ultimately just descended the Saddle trail and felt lucky to reach the summit at all, as the weather continued to degrade over the next couple of days. Despite being unable to experience the Knife Edge, I felt it was still a really impressive mountain in a beautiful area full of amazing fall colors.
derekthered - Sep 23, 2009 12:42 am Date Climbed: Aug 8, 2007
holy cowhiked up the hunt spur in a rain storm. nearly got blown off the mountain, so we had to scratch our plans for the knife edge. oh well...
imzadi - Sep 14, 2009 1:39 pm Date Climbed: Aug 29, 2009
FINALLYUp Cathedral, down Helon Taylor
AWESOME...well worth the wait!
IHaveArrived - Aug 30, 2009 6:43 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2009
Beautiful day on KatahdinI lucked out and summited Mt. Katahdin on a beautiful August day without a cloud in the sky. In fact on the descent, the afternoon sun had baked the rocks enough that it felt like hiking in a furnace and I quickly went through the 2l of water I carried.
iditarod81 - Aug 25, 2009 8:20 pm
Cathedral RidgeDid this in '06. So much fun!! Reminds me of Kelso Ridge on Torreys Peak in CO.
Lenny72 - Aug 2, 2009 5:31 pm Date Climbed: Mar 18, 1999
To the Summit of Mount KatahdinLong winter approach in. Weather was marginal but we made it to the summit! Total mileage, including approach, climb to summit, general hiking around in Baxter State Park, and back to our cars was 44 miles in 3.5 days. Very exhausting but beautiful! However, I have no desire to do another winter trip there. The approach to the base of the mountain is 13 miles alone! In winter, you are too far from help should anything go wrong.
weathergirl42 - Jul 6, 2009 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Jun 23, 2009
Katahdin Rocks!Ascended via Hunt Trail into the worst weather I've ever seen. The wind was literally knocking me off my feet and it was pelting ice-cold rain. Descended on Saddle to Baxter Peak Cutoff back to Hunt. Solo summit on my 29th birthday! HP #5. I can't wait to go back in nice weather and try the Knife's Edge!
osatrik - Jun 29, 2009 4:46 pm Date Climbed: Jun 7, 1989
SHP # 33, in 1989Easily the most interesting of the east coast state highpoints to climb, my daughter and I did this climb after a 6 month hiatus from highpointing, the longest drought up to that point. We had a wonderful experience, including having a moose stroll though our Chimney Pond camp. We did the full traverse, up to Chimney Peak, and then across the so-called knife edge to the summit, before descending the Saddle Trail. Katahdin was number 33 of my 49 state high points, and number 32 for Vanessa.
Hotoven - Apr 20, 2009 2:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2002
First heavy duty rock scrambleClimbed it with my family. It was very fun and worth the trip! It was the highlight of the trip given the view once we hit the top.
SLinehan88 - Dec 8, 2008 1:06 pm Date Climbed: Aug 5, 2008
Cathedral, saddleLow clouds and rain made Cathedral trail an interesting climb. Visibility was only 20 feet at times, but once we got above the clouds it was great.
jamesmh - Nov 30, 2008 11:10 am Date Climbed: Oct 3, 2007
II did the "usual" route up Katahdin via the AT. Once above tree line the hike up the granite is fantastic.
kavak - Oct 15, 2008 10:10 am Date Climbed: Jun 21, 2004
Via Saddle TrailThis was my second attempt. In May of 1997 there was too much snow on the mountain for the rangers to open the peak. This is an impressive mountain even for someone from Colorado. My youngest son and I climbed into the clouds. There were no views at the summit other than the numerous summit signs.
climbhighnow - Oct 6, 2008 9:49 am Date Climbed: Sep 30, 2008
Dudley Trail>Knife Edge>Saddle TralHad a lucky break in the weather until about half way across the knife edge, from then on the mountain was totally socked in by clouds. Amazing place though, and prob. my new favorite east coast mountain.
imzadi - Sep 30, 2008 8:50 am Date Climbed: Sep 28, 2008
attempt thwarted!!It figures...no hurracaines have come close to Maine in quite a few years. The weekend we planned to hike Katahdin (since MAY!!), hurracaine Kyle decides to make an appearance!! They shut down the mountain...so much for being on top of the world (in Maine anyway)! Heck, got to camp out at Chimney Pond Campground and look at the beautiful mountain (when the fog and clouds allowed me to). I'm SO glad we had a tarp for that evening...
Oh well...as the old addage goes...the mountain ain't going anywhere.
woodsxc - Sep 28, 2008 1:39 pm Date Climbed: Sep 27, 2008
Rain on KatahdinAll the rangers we encountered said we probably wouldn't summit because of the rain, but we went ahead and hiked anyway. We were the first group out of Roaring Brook and first out of Chimney Pond. We headed up Saddle and nabbed Baxter before 11 AM and then took the Knife Edge down, getting South, Chimney and Pamola Peaks on the way. By the time we got back to Chimney Pond, we were almost totally dry despite having soaked through our hardshells. It was a long (11 hours), hard, and pretty cold day, but totally worth it. Traversing the Knife Edge in the mist was one of the coolest mountain experiences I've had.
imzadi - Sep 30, 2008 8:56 am
Re: Rain on KatahdinHey...we were there on the 27th too!! We DIDN'T summit on the 27th...we were wet, cold, and frustrated (our lean to was TRASHED so we couldn't unpack our 40 lb backpacks to hit the summit right away). Of course, once we got unpacked and were ready to hit it (it had stopped raining, we were dry and fed)...it was 12:30 and cut off is 11:00! Despite others who went up past cut off...we "followed the rules" and stayed down. Heck, as we were staying the night, we can at least hit Baxter via the Saddle tomorrow, right? NOPE!!! 9-28...they shut the mountain down!! I almost cried.