[at-l] Katahdin Cam

[ellen at clinic.net (Bob C)]

"My guess is that it will not be climbed again until after June 1, ?2006."

The winter climbing season is just beginning. Scores of people will be climbing Katahdin this winter. Most will start from Chimney Pond campground, which is nestled in the great basin shown on the right of the picture. Chimney Pond in winter is easily the prettiest place in the East. Under Baxter Park regulations, those seeking the summit need technical gear and a team leader with mountaineering experience. 

Most anyone can get a permit to spend a night or two at Chimney Pond. Its one of my favorite winter trips. You have to plan on three or four days. It's 11 or 12, maybe 13, gradual uphill miles from the nearest plowed road to Roaring Brook camp ground where I usually stay the first night. Then 3.5 miles of steeper snowshoeing to the Chimney Pond shelters and bunk house. 

The summit is another two miles of mostly technical climbing, ranging from difficult to easy, depending on the route. But there is plenty to explore without getting above timberline. The great basin provides numerous spectacular bushwhacks, including one to a spectacular ice fall for practicing climbing ice walls with crampons and ice axes.

Weary