[at-l] Springer on New Year's Eve!

[Bob Cummings <ellen@clinic.net> (Bob Cummings)]

My first serious winter backpacking trip was on New Year's eve, 1970, to
Katahdin Stream Campground at the base of Katahdin. We hiked in on the AT from
Abol Bridge on nearly four feet of snow. The plan was to stay in one of the
Baxter Park bunkhouses.

 But since we didn't go through the main gate, the park rangers forgot about our
 plans and left the bunk houses padlocked. We settled on an open lean-to. At 8
 a.m. the next morning the temperature was a minus 32 degrees F. No. That's not
 wind chill. But the real thing.

 The next morning we climbed part way up the Hunt Trail, but lacked
 mountaineering gear so we couldn't summit.

 I hate snowmobiles, especially in what is supposed to be a wild park. But one
 of the party came down with the flu -- and was evacuated by a friendly
 snowmobiler. The rest of us snowshoed back out the AT.

 After that trip I figured I could handle anything winter had to offer and have
 been out for at least an overnight, every year since. BTW, the trip leader
 brought his two daughters along, ages 10 and 11.

  Weary