tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8434615890204385532024-03-21T07:39:35.651-04:00Highpointer AdventuresA record of my attempts to reach all 50 of the US State highpoints.Biggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10671403672769089154noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-843461589020438553.post-30491540531514835332019-01-14T09:29:00.001-05:002019-01-14T09:29:18.991-05:00Closer to Home - Mt Davis, Pennsylvania<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
Some high points aren't as spectacular as Colorado's or Maine's. Even still, the trip there and who I go with are important to the story.</div>
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When I was just a child, growing up in Connecticut, even before my family moved to Florida when I was just 8 years old, we used to hike Sleepy Giant State Park. It wasn't a difficult hike, after all my 7 year old self, and my sister at 5 years old were able to do the hike without difficulty. With this in mind, I thought the best person to accompany me to the Pennsylvania's high point in September of 2018 would be my 8 year old cousin Teddy, who also lives in Pittsburgh.</div>
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Background</h4>
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Mt Davis sits in the South-Western part of the state, and about an hour and a half South East of the major city (and my home) Pittsburgh. The peak sits in Forbes State Forest, and is part of a mountain ridge that runs south into Maryland. In fact, from the observation tower on the peak you can look all the way into Maryland.<br />
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It also lies very close to my favorite outdoors location: Ohiopyle.</div>
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When I was given the all clear to return to work / resume physical activities following my illness, one of the first things I did with my mom, her husband, and my now-ex wife was to go white water rafting down the Lower Youghiogheny River. I went previously as part of a fire department team building event, and my mom wanted to explore that area more.<br />
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But this was more than a year prior. Now I had a rare full weekend off, so I was going to head down to that area for multiple days. Just to hike around, and not to go rafting though. The first day with Veronica, a woman I had been dating for a little more than 2 months.</div>
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Weather was delightful for our trip out. We had decided to hike to Cucumber Falls, a location that roughly corresponded to where the rafting picture above had been taken. It had been raining quite a bit the week prior, and because of this the river was extremely high. Our hiking path along the river was actually washed out in several spots due to the river height.<br />
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Still, we were able to cut through an alternative trail and reach Cucumber Falls without much difficulty. It was a short hike on relatively flat terrain, but a fun one.</div>
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We explored a bit more of the trails and the town itself, and called it a day. I'd head out the next day for the high point with my cousin Teddy, and my uncle Dave, Teddy's father.</div>
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Mt Davis - Teddy's First Highpoint</h4>
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We started relatively early in the day, close to 9am. While we could have driven directly to the high point itself, we decided to park outside a picnic area to the North of the high point, and hike a short trail in towards it.<br />
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I took the time to explain trail blazes to Teddy on the way in, asking him to keep an eye on the blazes to make sure we stayed on the trail (though the trails throughout the trip were very well kept, we were in no danger of being lost).<br />
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After only about a half a mile we arrived at the high point. There were quite a few plaques to read about the history of the area, as well as an observation tower rising about 50' off the ground and above the trees.</div>
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Looking out from the tower you could see into Maryland, and over to Confluence, the town just up the river from Ohiopyle.<br />
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There was a well-put-together topographical map, carved in metal, on the observation tower that you could use to determine what you were looking at.<br />
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Also near the map was a plaque explaining how looking out to the horizon gave a false sense that you weren't at the highest point in the area (<a href="http://highpoint.steelstrategy.com/2019/01/going-to-colorado-to-get-high.html">as I saw on my Colorado trip</a>), due to how the human mind processes the horizon. Essentially, your mind will divide your field of view into "sky" and "land" and regardless of where this land is to your actual orientation, you perceive the intersection of sky and land as above you.<br />
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As the hike to the high point was fairly short, we decided to hike the other trails in the park as well. We wound up doing about a 2.5 mile hike that looped us back around to the car, down from the high point, and then back up a fire break trail.<br />
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All in all, a good way for me to get out for a bit with Teddy and Dave.<br />
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I still wasn't done for the year though, there were another two very close high points that I wanted to make it to, within 1 hour from one another: Maryland and West Virginia.Biggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10671403672769089154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-843461589020438553.post-90729529372767129512019-01-07T23:37:00.000-05:002019-01-07T23:43:29.055-05:00Going to Colorado to "Get High"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Early July I noticed something odd about my work schedule - specifically the last 3 days of the newest one to come out. I work at the Emergency Department of my local hospital as an ER Technician, so my schedule can change from week to week. Typically, the next month of the schedule comes out just before we put in our requests for the following month, and I usually work a mix of 8 and 12 hour shifts, which has me actually working only 4 days a week. Surprisingly, they scheduled me with the last 3 days off in a row - the 17th, 18th, and 19th of August.</div>
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Thinking quickly, I requested off the 20th, 21st, and 22nd. Now I had 6 days of non-Vacation Time vacation to work with. I started looking for cheap flights that put me near a "fun" high point. One of the least expensive was to Denver, Colorado.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My exact thought as I took this picture outside Boulder: "I hope that's what I'm heading to hike."</td></tr>
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Getting My Kit Together</h4>
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The same night I requested those extra 3 days off was the night I made several impulsive purchases to get the trip off the ground. Flight - check (Morning of the 18th - through mid-day of the 21st). Rental Car - check (a "Light SUV" that I was pretty sure could get me into the mountains). Hotel Room - check (night of the 18th only, I had camping supplies for the other days).</div>
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That left the rest of my gear. I still had my sleeping bag and 70L backpack, but I needed something to camp in. Reading online gave me recommendations for <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01DYP5FHA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00">hammock camping</a> - no need to lug a huge tent with you, and camping in the air means that the cold ground won't act as a heat sink, letting you leave off a mattress or sleeping pad as well. I already had webbing from firefighting, and knew how to tie anchors, so hookup would be easy enough.<br />
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I wouldn't be camping out of doors every night though. I booked a hotel for my first night in Denver, then would camp at the mountain. I'd figure out the third night later - whether I'd stay another night at the mountain camp or head back into civilization.<br />
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To keep from having to pack too many things, I decided to pick up the consumables in Colorado.</div>
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Boulder Colorado - The Royal Arch</h4>
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Boulder Colorado sits 5,328' above sea level. Mt Katahdin is "merely" 5,269', meaning by the time I landed at the Denver airport and drove to Boulder, I was already higher than I had ever been before. But I was going to get even higher. My goal was to acclimate myself to the altitude change of eventually reaching 14,000', and a day 1 hike to the Royal Arch seemed like a good first step.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sure enough, that WAS what I was going to hike.</td></tr>
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The Royal Arch is just one of the features in the Chautauqua park, which sits underneath Green Mountain. The more prominent features that I saw from the approach were the Flat Irons, 5 in total, that rose not-quite-vertically up the mountain, at apparently an excellent angle for rock climbing. There were quite a few options in terms of trails through the park, so I decided to take one past Flat Iron #3.<br />
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In spite of a slight drizzle, there were people making the climb up the Flat Iron. It rose somewhere between 45 and 60 degrees upward. It looked like a lot of fun, but without the training or gear for a free climb I passed up on the Flat Irons for this trip.<br />
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I was reminded of the higher sections still within the tree line of Mt Katahdin as I climbed into the mountain. The trail was well maintained, mostly rock, with only a little bit of gravel / sand, and made for easy going.<br />
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It wasn't a very difficult or long climb, mostly horizontal parallel to the mountain ridge. I made good time arriving around lunch time to find a bunch of day climbers eating food at the Arch.</div>
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On my way back down I got this excellent picture of the transition from the Great Planes to the Rocky Mountains.<br />
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I stopped at Target on the way in to Denver to pick up my consumable supplies for the trip - snacks and food, water, electrolyte packets - and picked up some hiking poles as well. Boulder had a much better selection of things than I expected - I was expecting to need to track down an actual sporting good store, but everything was there.<br />
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I settled into my hotel, which wasn't really near anything in walking distance. I decided to look up if there was a baseball game going on that night. Maybe the Pirates were in town, or at least I could watch something to kill time. While there wasn't a baseball game, I did find there were extremely cheap pre-season football tickets at half price off face value.<br />
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Mile High Stadium was impressive, with a great atmosphere. Even with no real dog in the fight, I was convinced to root for the home team after just the introductory celebrations. I stayed until a bit after half time when all the starters and 2nd stringers were sitting.<br />
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After taking a Lyft back to my hotel I fell asleep early, and woke up just as early ready for my next day.<br />
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<h4>
Day 2: Leadville and the Mineral Belt Trail</h4>
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The transition into the Rocky Mountains is something I had not experienced before. The Great Planes and Denver's urban setting slowly melt away to a slow climb upwards. Then, suddenly, mountains are everywhere. To the right, a series of mountains jump up, each impossibly higher than before. To the left, the exact same view. In front, a road that winds in between, curving out of sight into the trees that are somehow wild and alien compared to the Appalachian forest of Pennsylvania.<br />
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I stopped briefly to use the bathroom and get some coffee at a small village of Georgetown.<br />
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This let me get a few photos of the mountains and views that I was seeing on the road. I wished I could have stayed and explored the area more, but I had a goal in mind, and I was saving the exploration for Leadville. I hit the road again, and drove until a little before noon.<br />
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I arrived in Leadville to find the visitor center, and more importantly a Fire Department. I poked my head into visitor center for just a moment, and headed across the street. I hoped to pick up a patch or T-Shirt, and hopefully be invited for a tour of the station.<br />
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The local department was friendly, but didn't have any patches or shirts for sale unfortunately. I told them about my goal and they offered some good advise (start early to avoid afternoon storms / stay hydrated). The department covered a pretty impressive area, made even more impressive by not having any other departments to come with mutual aid for miles. I don't envy their fire response.<br />
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I stopped at a small diner in town for a brunch, got a coffee from a local shop, and took in the brief sights of Leadville before continuing to the trail-head for the Mineral Belt Trail.<br />
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Mt Massive loomed in the background looking West from the trail-head. Just a few feet short of being the high point of Colorado, mountain climbers during the great depression had attempted to carry stones up to try and get it higher than Mt Elbert, while “supporters” of Mt Elbert climbed up to tear the stones down and keep Elbert the highest. Ultimately, those supporting Mt Massive failed, or else I would be climbing it instead.<br />
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It does remain the largest area above of 14,000’ within the contiguous US though.<br />
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I was ready to hit the trail, 12 miles into the wilderness around Leadville. One of the Leadville Firefighters told me that it had been created with mining slag dredged out of the Arkansas River. Flowing South out of town, it had been polluted by the many mines (some of which seen from the trail) until the EPA was formed. The cleanup and trail was one of its first projects.<br />
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As it turns out, Counter-clockwise was not the "correct" route, and my mile markers turned out to count down rather than up.<br />
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Colorado Mountain College owns much of the land around the 12-10 mile markers, including a Frisbee golf course. Sports at 2 miles above sea level!<br />
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The trail was well paved through most of the hike, going easy on my feet and knees.<br />
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Eventually, I reached the old (and current) mining operations that helped make the trail. Most of what could be seen were abandoned mines and supporting structures.<br />
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Plaques were placed every so often explaining the story of the trail and the mining sites, and unfortunately I had chosen to go backwards through the trail (and thus the story).<br />
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The place was a mining town, with most of its food initially imported from Denver. The plaques described mine disasters, the mines themselves, and the businesses that popped up to support the community.<br />
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The path lead up into the hills giving a pretty good view of the country. The "high point" of the trail was 11,000 ft "and change" above sea level, but that meant only a few hundred feet above the city itself.<br />
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I was pretty tired having gone a 12 mile loop around Leadville, and was happy to see the end stretch of road.<br />
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I had made it back, and after 12 miles at 10,000 ft above sea level, felt confident that I would be able to handle the mountain itself without too much trouble.<br />
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I had dinner in town at a Mexican restaurant that had actual hot salsa as its normal table salsa. A welcome change from the Pittsburgh standard mild. After dinner, I headed out to the camp site at the Mt Elbert Trail-head.<br />
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My camp site was pretty simple. I was going with a hammock for sleeping. A park ranger stopped by the camp and explained that they normally frowned on hammock camping as it hurt the trees, but I had used webbing to secure the hammock and not rope or "drilling hitches into the trees" as one set of campers had done, so I was given the all clear.<br />
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A quick hot meal of soup, and I turned in early, still tired from the morning hike.<br />
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The next day was going to be busy.<br />
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<h4>
Day 3: Getting High on Mt Elbert</h4>
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I got out of my hammock and started up the trail at 5:00am, before first light. I found out after the fact that the temperature was 30 degrees when I woke up. It certainly felt that way. I started out at a pretty respectable pace, passing a couple of people that started just before me. Eventually, after stopping for a break, I wound up keeping pace with a fellow in his 50s visiting from Philadelphia who was hiking on his own as well.<br />
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I got to watch the sun come up, but within the trees really didn't get a good view. We made pretty good pace through the trees, taking several breaks.<br />
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One such break was at a small clearing in the trees, where we made a friend.<br />
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This bird was very curious about us, following us the rest of the way through the tree line. Probably fed by other hikers and looking for a hand out, he was willing to get pretty close to us, but never so close that we could have touched him.<br />
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One last break just inside the tree line. Unfortunately this is where I left my new friends behind, as my human friend was forced to take more frequent breaks feeling the exertion of the altitude, and the bird wasn't willing to go any further.<br />
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Up ahead we could make out the false peak, and a pretty clear route up to the top. Many mountains contain at least one "false" peak where as you approach the top of the mountain you can see what looks to be summit only to find as you get closer that there is another higher point hidden from view.<br />
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The terrain had changed quite a bit to scrubby grass with switch back trails up the mountain towards the false peak. Even at this height, I could look around and see for miles.<br />
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To the North, Mount Massive stood. I mentally vowed to come back some day and climb it as well.<br />
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The climb doesn't look too bad, but it's hard to get a true sense of scale. The hikers in front of me disappeared into the mountain, until they were almost no longer visible. I began to need more and more breaks as I went.<br />
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Another shot of Mt Massive from further up. Due to tricks of perspective, it is actually very difficult to figure out what the height of things are relative to me. Depending on how I looked, Mt Massive either seemed right at the same height or above me. Nevertheless, the peak is just a few feet shorter than Mt Elbert.<br />
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I was motivated to pick up the pace when passed by a guy carrying a bike up the mountain. He was accompanied by a dachshund. I did not want to get left behind with them making better time than me.<br />
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The climb turned to more stones and less loose dirt and grass. We looped around the false peak and the real peak came into view.<br />
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At this point I felt a swell of emotion. Just four months prior I had separated from my wife, and filed for divorce. A year and a half before that I was lying in a hospital bed, unsure if I was too far progressed with a pneumonia and Leukemia to live. Throughout all this I had countless people in my life - friends, family (biological and fire department), and co-workers - help me through the difficult times.<br />
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This was something I had done myself. I prepared for this trip, flown to Colorado, traveled to the mountain, and climbed to the top without anyone else.<br />
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And here I was.<br />
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The views were incredible. There was only one place in the contiguous 48 states higher than me right now, and it was all the way out in California. I could look East with confidence that nothing was above me but sky.<br />
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I had many more high points to climb. Many of these peaks I would climb with important people in my life.<br />
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But in this moment I realized that this mountain and trip was important to be only for me. I wasn't alone at the mountain peak, but the people there weren't what got me to the top.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEcB-5tSA5o4FKEToHeaiqftAT4Jbixxx8-IBPWFrTyx6CU3DRwCybTiPMKXIP2euxlgmkxT8Iq2v79xyaK7-bodcnqHXes1wV_t0sDCFVcsefQODCweWYlverUz7b_FIg5f_mNg6c__P/s1600/20180820_100251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhEcB-5tSA5o4FKEToHeaiqftAT4Jbixxx8-IBPWFrTyx6CU3DRwCybTiPMKXIP2euxlgmkxT8Iq2v79xyaK7-bodcnqHXes1wV_t0sDCFVcsefQODCweWYlverUz7b_FIg5f_mNg6c__P/s320/20180820_100251.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I climbed this peak myself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLeTHtnK9wioSjfa7GdQnKlHHT6QuDfNyFlJSZ_l3bSEG5o6Wzgut5Rt_VwDdwjfglJqzQtJjOm15VK7NgVtQHuN2nLqByFxjVVq7iBXYihXvOdDXSGU8w5Qz6xVTz-ZvvAwieQovoa-o/s1600/20180820_123204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtLeTHtnK9wioSjfa7GdQnKlHHT6QuDfNyFlJSZ_l3bSEG5o6Wzgut5Rt_VwDdwjfglJqzQtJjOm15VK7NgVtQHuN2nLqByFxjVVq7iBXYihXvOdDXSGU8w5Qz6xVTz-ZvvAwieQovoa-o/s320/20180820_123204.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The trip down was much faster, and easier on my legs. I stopped for a break only twice, and made it back to my camp before 3pm. I had considered camping another night, but decided to head back to civilization for hot food and a warm bed instead.<br />
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I had a late lunch / early dinner at the same diner I had lunch at the previous day, eating a pretty crazy amount of food, then I drove back to Georgetown.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrIA_8Wy83HOuWIFjd9dsNQn9mlN-pYkT17wVRGxZk0tJvE2ovP_TPfQ-_59K1Z898ZVeMtSnvC-OkMHHR6KJ2neU2zS3csl9W2fyviaf4Zd6FfxwKOlz_0SIkchjSgCwN-XIxCw5V-ao/s1600/20180820_165031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJrIA_8Wy83HOuWIFjd9dsNQn9mlN-pYkT17wVRGxZk0tJvE2ovP_TPfQ-_59K1Z898ZVeMtSnvC-OkMHHR6KJ2neU2zS3csl9W2fyviaf4Zd6FfxwKOlz_0SIkchjSgCwN-XIxCw5V-ao/s320/20180820_165031.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a bed waiting for me there, and gorgeous views to wake up to.<br />
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<h4>
Epilogue:</h4>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEi0P5W6KoCoI8wqSI2v78zevIuSxpch7LrhA07oX1Jm__KV-x4u80PzBjo1FhvbqFBsEluJSudcTOENax8tDLwowriNFLEFFfAyZL5LP0G9f81w02_mMOkQ21Q4e83wuk6UOAhLKYKlI/s1600/20180821_081333.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEi0P5W6KoCoI8wqSI2v78zevIuSxpch7LrhA07oX1Jm__KV-x4u80PzBjo1FhvbqFBsEluJSudcTOENax8tDLwowriNFLEFFfAyZL5LP0G9f81w02_mMOkQ21Q4e83wuk6UOAhLKYKlI/s320/20180821_081333.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I woke up, enjoyed a drive back through the mountains, and flew back to Pittsburgh the next afternoon.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
That was it, I was a highpointer. This would be the last major expedition of the year, but far from the last high point. My next target would be a lot closer to home, Mt Davis, PA.</div>
<br />Biggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10671403672769089154noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-843461589020438553.post-52514493394415152722018-11-15T14:57:00.001-05:002018-11-20T13:10:57.049-05:00Where The Light First Touches<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR2pxfi_9SlCv21NuN6WWB204qCY_E74HpzjpkhQnEnm5Re4tglWq7BcMMCWnD4j47eD-ppcnmSEJu4fxcEW03RwMqOC6tMqe6nrxJqWhPkqy3DWCMen7A0GECW4ivyKhs0xKPERsUrG1/s1600/20180616_181906.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSR2pxfi_9SlCv21NuN6WWB204qCY_E74HpzjpkhQnEnm5Re4tglWq7BcMMCWnD4j47eD-ppcnmSEJu4fxcEW03RwMqOC6tMqe6nrxJqWhPkqy3DWCMen7A0GECW4ivyKhs0xKPERsUrG1/s200/20180616_181906.jpg" width="150" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Katahdin looms over the road <br />
on the approach to Baxter Park.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It turns out that hiking websites are written for hikers, and that a route labeled "Very Strenuous" is in fact "Very Strenuous" for a typical hiker. Around December of 2017 I decided that I should go out to Katahdin in Maine - a mountain in the middle of nowhere - and climb to the top of Baxter Peak, the tallest point on the mountain and the highest point in the state of Maine itself. Henry David Thoreau made the mountain famous by writing "On Trails", but I didn't know that. He and others believed that Katahdin was where the light first touched the United States each morning. I had merely been using Google Earth while bored during night shift at work and found a cool looking mountain in the middle of the wilderness in Maine.<br />
<br />
"Maine" was important as opposed to any other state, as it was not only a state I had never been to, but also a state close (enough) to my sister Margaret who lives in Boston with her fiance. As important as spending time with my sister was - reason enough for such a trip - Margaret was familiar with camping, while I hadn't slept a night outside since high school.<br />
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It was there on the Hunt Trail, the terminus of the Appalachian Trail, that we realized that we weren't quite as prepared as we had thought. Where my sister began calculating how much a helicopter rescue would cost her.<br />
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And where I decided that I wanted to be a Highpointer.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKP70fuGpsjN4gvWGOCxQs_8G6Da6Mk2h-9aqYce3U4I5Z5Q3qQvuYm8-Cw-dT_nNQmgUf5ho0Ff9Fzz0qOS8TnKQOFwNfwXU7NwxK7dMlNGqtJY9NloAEVot1SrmVE7EEPsyPrzQ0fRY/s1600/20180617_080804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisKP70fuGpsjN4gvWGOCxQs_8G6Da6Mk2h-9aqYce3U4I5Z5Q3qQvuYm8-Cw-dT_nNQmgUf5ho0Ff9Fzz0qOS8TnKQOFwNfwXU7NwxK7dMlNGqtJY9NloAEVot1SrmVE7EEPsyPrzQ0fRY/s320/20180617_080804.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About midway up the mountain.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h4>
Packing Up</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The previous year and a half had been eventful to say the least. In December of 2016, I was diagnosed with Acute Myloid Leukemia and began treatment. During this time, I received incredible support from everyone in my life. My family, my co-workers at St Clair Hospital, my fellow firefighters at the Mt Lebanon Fire Department, and all my friends kept me in high spirits, and able to able to make my recovery though the 7 months I was unable to work or perform exercises more strenuous than walking or carrying a 5lb weight. I dropped down to 170lbs while my tongue developed sores, and then ballooned up to 220lbs while I was unable to exercise.<br />
<br />
Exactly one year prior to the hike (June 2017), the Doctors gave me a clean bill of health, my central IV line was removed, and I began the even longer process of getting back into something resembling shape. In October of 2017, I married the love of my life, in a wedding ceremony that I never thought would happen. Then in December I realized that she was cheating on me, and in April - after months of couples therapy trying to make things work - realized that we couldn't both be happy in our relationship.</div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuVkQ0S4N1zy-JNMfeXX85EcIc0m6t1f57rQO4GmeAFAa9Av6fWh5gt27oYMj4a54MMjLj2LhCzon3Tr1sTt1ULqKSWKDyu7oajmqjLDkhIZr925wZrCk85zZl2KxqRUpHXhNBlR1UfHr/s1600/20180616_191523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbuVkQ0S4N1zy-JNMfeXX85EcIc0m6t1f57rQO4GmeAFAa9Av6fWh5gt27oYMj4a54MMjLj2LhCzon3Tr1sTt1ULqKSWKDyu7oajmqjLDkhIZr925wZrCk85zZl2KxqRUpHXhNBlR1UfHr/s320/20180616_191523.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The geography of Katahdin, as shown <br />
by a 3D map in the ranger's station.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
But during this time my sister and I had grown closer than we had been. She was one of the people who had kept me company during my months of treatment, flying down even though she lived in Boston. We had been planning this trip even before it became obvious I would need a divorce. She bought me my 70L backpack. I crammed it full of everything I might conceivably need, including a sleeping bag, first aid kit (more or less a full BLS kit), rope, carabiners, 2 gallons of water, several knives, a tourniquet, and a bunch of other stuff I didn't particularly wind up using.<br />
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I flew up to Boston on a Friday, we would drive our way to the mountain on Saturday, and we'd make it to the top Sunday!<br />
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<h4>
Boston and Portland</h4>
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<div>
I had no issues checking my 70L bag, nor did I have any issues getting to Margaret's work as the Boston public transit system pretty good. I rode the train to her office, met some of her co-workers, and we walked back to her apartment to meet up with her fiance Ben.</div>
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We had pizza and went to sleep, ready for the next morning.</div>
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On the way up, we stopped in Portland, Maine, roughly the halfway point of our trip, for a Lobster lunch.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtmH0Aem3jR2i_XJXWYLJFWdskkKuPh08SZX0pvq7DiHeSeB0-DDpnCujIgJQKQ8QtuETOjBgV5lVmc6j8c5CkJTQowRehprahHPfQvtXd1rVnOEiXVB_t4ybUKIXFWCJq-dFN_yF7hvq/s1600/20180616_132119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtmH0Aem3jR2i_XJXWYLJFWdskkKuPh08SZX0pvq7DiHeSeB0-DDpnCujIgJQKQ8QtuETOjBgV5lVmc6j8c5CkJTQowRehprahHPfQvtXd1rVnOEiXVB_t4ybUKIXFWCJq-dFN_yF7hvq/s320/20180616_132119.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<div>
I want to go back to Portland.</div>
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<h4>
Semi-Primitive Camping</h4>
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<div>
Our campsite was at the Katadhin Streams. I had asked Margaret to try and reserve a campsite in Chimney Pond, at the base of the mountain and with a "Strenuous" climb to the top. Unfortunately, due to those sites filling first, Margaret was instead able to get us a lean-to at trailhead for Hunt Trail.</div>
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The lean-to wasn't much to talk about, but we had stopped at Target to purchase snacks and food for the night, which would later become a tradition for me in terms of gathering food supplies. We purchased local firewood from the ranger station at the campsite and had a comfortable camp.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hDZEhK0BbcNUa92f6VNVhhfjTzyb7HVaf9w8JdiFuyRGZYxeykZrucUVYR8iOMZapNZW2tpiTE9ItjFI6NaSj5q_NoQu2RbYYYAC6TVJ8z8ouw9xZwdh8YpYtFAHFzhz6eurf4hYTUYY/s1600/20180616_194503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-hDZEhK0BbcNUa92f6VNVhhfjTzyb7HVaf9w8JdiFuyRGZYxeykZrucUVYR8iOMZapNZW2tpiTE9ItjFI6NaSj5q_NoQu2RbYYYAC6TVJ8z8ouw9xZwdh8YpYtFAHFzhz6eurf4hYTUYY/s320/20180616_194503.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X3uKFgfZ8kHBP13ugZU65dtA7oCc6kiN7Ujbkn0c9A_QwzfBxGxFoKiYHVFmWT7jEiDBKtNvwV_BAV66S5k3xwHgR9AdINH7ZsmKoEoih55K2Hma_6rsQWmDqZVDzJ3djwLIU6XOQOyb/s1600/20180616_194425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0X3uKFgfZ8kHBP13ugZU65dtA7oCc6kiN7Ujbkn0c9A_QwzfBxGxFoKiYHVFmWT7jEiDBKtNvwV_BAV66S5k3xwHgR9AdINH7ZsmKoEoih55K2Hma_6rsQWmDqZVDzJ3djwLIU6XOQOyb/s320/20180616_194425.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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I brought some additional comfort in the form of a local PA whiskey, infused with ginger.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b2-_T0A9PkFJh7Sh3ygR7T1gxlCgfAVncitLJ26RRocX04MRHsA6kM8aGB7n84Llxt2UIjib73ZBHMg1aJYDiAiQH9hHGjJuuWLYl9iUdtxu3YctWaHDOmzncJ05yJmcsfzIq9aBNZel/s1600/20180616_194726.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-b2-_T0A9PkFJh7Sh3ygR7T1gxlCgfAVncitLJ26RRocX04MRHsA6kM8aGB7n84Llxt2UIjib73ZBHMg1aJYDiAiQH9hHGjJuuWLYl9iUdtxu3YctWaHDOmzncJ05yJmcsfzIq9aBNZel/s320/20180616_194726.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We ate our hotdogs and beans and got our packs ready for the morning. Our plan was to set off at sunrise to hike the mountain.<br />
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<h4>
First Light</h4>
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<div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAn0T9-djgpAKEsZjBACyIrz2QGlPHVaVUs_uCNJh2SicC3wKdx96cZ_1ST4zMUJerfkY8pAtmthNlcMJACNTjDsq-yAJoB8gW9dMSuJUHnRYRMN9xY-hvM4qmxP4Yifgpet2m-D_iU6kM/s1600/20180617_050559.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAn0T9-djgpAKEsZjBACyIrz2QGlPHVaVUs_uCNJh2SicC3wKdx96cZ_1ST4zMUJerfkY8pAtmthNlcMJACNTjDsq-yAJoB8gW9dMSuJUHnRYRMN9xY-hvM4qmxP4Yifgpet2m-D_iU6kM/s320/20180617_050559.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
Instead, we set off at first light (when we can see light, but the sun had not yet risen), because sleeping outside on a hard surface is difficult.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzuFQfuSFGHZFEMWwHcSYN00gBY0RNG3qe0PfaBa-1o1GsxZUvzPacFbQvqq22e-_lMdoL1xRyB3NqeEgl9RSWRb367oAm3VgU_YsZxsKy9NQRi_06l7RQxa5L4cgFkMNqzBkvUqXxevP/s1600/20180617_051009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggzuFQfuSFGHZFEMWwHcSYN00gBY0RNG3qe0PfaBa-1o1GsxZUvzPacFbQvqq22e-_lMdoL1xRyB3NqeEgl9RSWRb367oAm3VgU_YsZxsKy9NQRi_06l7RQxa5L4cgFkMNqzBkvUqXxevP/s320/20180617_051009.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDxXF3hS2wwaD2tJNPxmIU5di6rU20b4WfTjvaSzJk74bEEla24HDO9pBu1gyXBMoSbuGj3KKWbv1QUTG1lngaDuMdL4XDwyv-VRYszhYcy3kvg3_U-GjUw7jhsyv_O-f-LNryQkuUiAi/s1600/20180617_051849.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglDxXF3hS2wwaD2tJNPxmIU5di6rU20b4WfTjvaSzJk74bEEla24HDO9pBu1gyXBMoSbuGj3KKWbv1QUTG1lngaDuMdL4XDwyv-VRYszhYcy3kvg3_U-GjUw7jhsyv_O-f-LNryQkuUiAi/s320/20180617_051849.jpg" width="240" /></a>As it so happened, we were the second group heading up the mountain along the Hunt Trail that day according to the trail ledger. One additional person got their start before us. The trail started wild, but easy to walk on.</div>
<br />
As we headed up the mountain, we were treated to some beautiful wilderness, including the Katahdin Stream from which our campsite got its name. The path along the stream itself lead us to a waterfall within the first mile of our hike, where we stopped for our first break.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKu0DhSs3FeNlQdNbjgbI2LhPj6UCp226hTJVyDEkJ7lzWDpB7pqqgZJvlwz7SDt_AMbDy6oD5KCIH7yjNFEshOh-0aaSmnmtc4xm6P9CLVcTQYGwR-crD9T-BHSDXBGZrhuyqmhc7iIO0/s1600/20180617_054752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKu0DhSs3FeNlQdNbjgbI2LhPj6UCp226hTJVyDEkJ7lzWDpB7pqqgZJvlwz7SDt_AMbDy6oD5KCIH7yjNFEshOh-0aaSmnmtc4xm6P9CLVcTQYGwR-crD9T-BHSDXBGZrhuyqmhc7iIO0/s320/20180617_054752.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Here the path got rockier, but still relatively easy for a climb. We continued on the approach to the spur, and we could see the trees getting smaller and more shrub-like in certain places.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcvT_NbBy7Nn_xVKogcVjRsszOYBztjnvu-8TRQvlM4BvZ6Og9JJQQvpSeEoeCDUjgU9bjRq11LVzXvMKEit9J-JKqOJwz-CbcH1QrVMiRtB5E0M2h06bCKMoz7UlHfc9D2JJc7eWso8L/s1600/20180617_064157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimcvT_NbBy7Nn_xVKogcVjRsszOYBztjnvu-8TRQvlM4BvZ6Og9JJQQvpSeEoeCDUjgU9bjRq11LVzXvMKEit9J-JKqOJwz-CbcH1QrVMiRtB5E0M2h06bCKMoz7UlHfc9D2JJc7eWso8L/s320/20180617_064157.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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The terrain would get more difficult still for the next mile or so as we approached the spur. In spots we had to do some light scrambling over boulders through which the path moved though. Margaret was less thrilled with this than I was, being about 6 to 8 inches shorter than me, and less able to just "step up" onto the next bolder. By this point, we had linked up with another climber who had brought hiking poles, which enabled him to make this part of the climb much more easily than Margaret and I. He was from a Midwestern state visiting his family and had always wanted to hike this mountain. He'd be with us until we hit the spur itself, and then would push on ahead.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDfiDLK7LSK7w9hdVjxavBMl2KBjbVc-mjKnd7UIGW22MRzt1serZ9oF8zCj-qn_rFtqSpOhQdK5BoiuWG7wXbn2RVYvFRe7St45WFXcazh5n0yh2eGp_FzYAbKpqOsKNG4GJ8EuKu0Dy/s1600/20180617_071953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyDfiDLK7LSK7w9hdVjxavBMl2KBjbVc-mjKnd7UIGW22MRzt1serZ9oF8zCj-qn_rFtqSpOhQdK5BoiuWG7wXbn2RVYvFRe7St45WFXcazh5n0yh2eGp_FzYAbKpqOsKNG4GJ8EuKu0Dy/s320/20180617_071953.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6UQLkWQV3bH1ZKs44FtAAJ8eSH8Bd81VhObVr73E97gPXtIg2m5mK1F8NcEWcP4DSYRjHVVW8naqloEP4ec4zoJxOAEkd4Jr3RbpcATLxikZ4Sy4Rzh7PzqQYh4V0FnQs6ZFo-3sDlzH/s1600/20180617_073855.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK6UQLkWQV3bH1ZKs44FtAAJ8eSH8Bd81VhObVr73E97gPXtIg2m5mK1F8NcEWcP4DSYRjHVVW8naqloEP4ec4zoJxOAEkd4Jr3RbpcATLxikZ4Sy4Rzh7PzqQYh4V0FnQs6ZFo-3sDlzH/s320/20180617_073855.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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The Hunt Spur</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCzAWze72hCgy-FkqdiIoiDDGzHW_G2UZ_GcCcmdCVWTPr2yO1waVV7_oyowXYvf4en-6_cz0LCchjY_wSbPR1UO5q795vb76x9KuRwaBdSqfkWnWCyg49dyklJgD5g7X_yVUVCgRpvtq/s1600/20180617_075129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCzAWze72hCgy-FkqdiIoiDDGzHW_G2UZ_GcCcmdCVWTPr2yO1waVV7_oyowXYvf4en-6_cz0LCchjY_wSbPR1UO5q795vb76x9KuRwaBdSqfkWnWCyg49dyklJgD5g7X_yVUVCgRpvtq/s320/20180617_075129.jpg" width="240" /></a>The approach to the spur was when things became much more difficult. The dirt ground with frequent boulders gave way to rock and boulders, and scrambling was required to proceed. Iron handholds had been added to some rocks to assist in the climb, and the path was no longer easy to see and only marked with white rectangular blazes.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MwcapI12rZ7RkekZoHByMBg-6BToDKDN17eKv226uJ0O1GyHAFo9upfpCFZ_l3kVUBagSkIBan7whhQO4rvuPpA66Mo5AH95Q_-tDkISle9OuS5xErjhnT3n7CLlFKXEHCpIzIQbw8Ei/s1600/20180617_080757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2MwcapI12rZ7RkekZoHByMBg-6BToDKDN17eKv226uJ0O1GyHAFo9upfpCFZ_l3kVUBagSkIBan7whhQO4rvuPpA66Mo5AH95Q_-tDkISle9OuS5xErjhnT3n7CLlFKXEHCpIzIQbw8Ei/s320/20180617_080757.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was at this part that Margaret began to wonder the cost of helicopter rescue, as she wasn't sure once we finished our ascent how easily we would be able to descend.<br />
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While once we reached the crest of the spur though, the rocky terrain more resembled stairs than a climb, and we were able to proceed more rapidly horizontally until the very end, where we again had to scramble up to the shelf at the top of the mountain.</div>
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The shelf was a welcome relief. You can see the peak behind the sign in the picture to the left. Mostly flat ground covered by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diapensia_lapponica">endangered lichen</a> and signs encouraging us to stick to the path marked by strings and posts. The transition between the approach along the spur and the flat shelf at the top was stark. There, our path and other approaches converged, with first the Abol trail joining us, and then Cathedral as we approached the summit of Baxter Peak.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug6TdanGQkMCmGFm03LSjkMTaqngb2ue3aLspzPasAlITz3ENsYzlas_x4nxML3PZ3_yWBIH0z1Nb6LuTUXPNgOBWNjYj-_3_bfGZYMe4-ScFWc-XtF8jwVh3ZO68PBJwHf2Yvsmo9dOk/s1600/20180617_092038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjug6TdanGQkMCmGFm03LSjkMTaqngb2ue3aLspzPasAlITz3ENsYzlas_x4nxML3PZ3_yWBIH0z1Nb6LuTUXPNgOBWNjYj-_3_bfGZYMe4-ScFWc-XtF8jwVh3ZO68PBJwHf2Yvsmo9dOk/s320/20180617_092038.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We had considered doing Knife's Edge Trail if we had the time, but we were wiped out by the climb already so we decided against it.<br />
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There was no real false peak for us on the way up. We could see small moving specks of people in the distance who had ascended from the easier paths gathering at the top during our approach. While we were quite tired with blisters forming and my pack significantly lighter from the water we'd been drinking, we still made the summit at around 11:00am.<br />
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The Summit</h4>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2NwpzbE8eDPHaLdD1G_BOsrNoWFJkh5xktIXARLtqQG433-0VQZYluFNL2Ttxc683BeNbpIhW_xTiiEz8Z4FWOS1tkaZwEo-hX5jAegCOUHjmmwnyW8Fxu1HRpWtuOROeuRUlqNiAFJI/s1600/20180617_101804.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn2NwpzbE8eDPHaLdD1G_BOsrNoWFJkh5xktIXARLtqQG433-0VQZYluFNL2Ttxc683BeNbpIhW_xTiiEz8Z4FWOS1tkaZwEo-hX5jAegCOUHjmmwnyW8Fxu1HRpWtuOROeuRUlqNiAFJI/s320/20180617_101804.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Below you can see Chimney Pond, the campsite I had originally hoped for, and the alternative approach to the peak from the East. View is from the peak.<br />
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The first of hopefully many summit pictures.</div>
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We took a break to eat and drink at the summit. I changed my shirt and socks to try and minimize cold from the sweat and boot / feet issues. We then decided we would try heading down Abol Trail instead of Hunt and avoid the worst of the boulder scrambles.</div>
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Abol Trail Descent</h4>
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Abol Trail had only recently reopened and had to be blazed near the original spot after an avalanche wiped out the previous Abol Trail. You could see where the trail had been freshly cut through the trees and shrubs. A sign marked off where the trail split from the previous Abol trail, telling us to take a sharp right onto the new trail rather than continue scrambling down a rock slide. Scrambling over boulders was necessary on the descent, but it was a lot less strenuous than the Hunt Trail all the same. </div>
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During the descent, we alternated between who was in good spirits. By the end it was my turn to feel completely wiped out, though I did capture one last picture by the Abol trailhead sign.</div>
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On the way down we met up with and befriended a solo hiker who had gone up Abol in the morning. He offered to give us a lift back to our camp at Katahdin Streams, and a lift to a Appalachian Trail hiker who had completed his hike from Georgia and needed a ride to town. Picking up an additional 2 hikers on the way back to Katahdin Streams who had the same idea we did (up Hunt / down Abol.) He was the true hero of the day, giving 5 of us a ride in total.<br />
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From there, we decided not to spend the night in camp again, and just head home. We picked up stickers of the peak we had just ascended - a tradition according to Margaret. She put hers on her water bottle. I also bought ranger badges of the state park itself.<br />
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Boston (Again) and Home</h4>
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I took the next day easy, only walking around Boston a little. I was able to visit my sister's nearest Firehouse, picking up a badge from Engine 22. This and the state park ranger's badge would find a home at my station's badge wall. I also found a hole in the wall Spanish restaurant for some roasted chicken.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oVVlzo1AAFmGb21NJDJkfitVXeI5VLGjBkrnUah819Ko_WLyvFBMR0JdRlRdI_cNk_Mg9FtEdq0kJ8B7S1d4uK5ozU1UdI91QzFjaulV63mZ1DQZB92aVNBXad7paju6XDknlSiJ_KZg/s1600/20180619_140207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1oVVlzo1AAFmGb21NJDJkfitVXeI5VLGjBkrnUah819Ko_WLyvFBMR0JdRlRdI_cNk_Mg9FtEdq0kJ8B7S1d4uK5ozU1UdI91QzFjaulV63mZ1DQZB92aVNBXad7paju6XDknlSiJ_KZg/s320/20180619_140207.jpg" width="240" /></a>I flew back on the early flight, took the Airport flier bus into the city, and road the light rail back to my condo.</div>
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I knew that I wanted to do this again. I discussed with Margaret doing another New England mountain the next year, probably Mt Washington in New Hampshire. My other sister Christy said she wanted to be involved in the next one we did.</div>
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I was a highpointer, but only 1 high point and no real concrete plans to do any more. But one challenge had been completed and what a good challenge it was. The sights were beautiful and the trip memorable. I stood on top of the world, and it was something that my sister and I accomplished together. It was a challenge I had chosen, not one forced upon me, and I had persevered. Still, at this point I had no idea what my next challenge would be.</div>
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I certainly didn't think it would be an impulsive trip to Colorado, and a hike up a 14'er.</div>
Biggshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10671403672769089154noreply@blogger.com2Appalachian Trail, Millinocket, ME 04462, USA45.896318159780371 -68.96118201562501345.807926659780371 -69.122543515625011 45.984709659780371 -68.799820515625015