Baxter question

[weatherman]

Hey-
I'm signed up with a big group to hike into Chimney Pond on the afternoon of the 27th and climb for a couple days. Being a peakbagger however and having "done" Baxter Peak already, North Brother is in my sights for this trip as well. I am not sure I can convince any others to go up the day prior, so my plan is to see if I can get a campsite for the 26th (Sunday night) then arise early Mon, hike the Brothers (probably skipping Fort and Coe) then back down, drive around to Roaring Brook and join the others.
My questions to you:
1) Which campground is best to try? Katahdin Stream and Nesowadnehunk Field look like the two closest. Do you think reservations at either for that Sunday night are possible? I know I need to write in and provide lots of alternatives- perhaps Abol is the last choice.
2) Related to 1, best strategies for snagging a spot? I am optimistic since it's not a Fri or Sat night and it's fairly late in the season.
3) Anybody want to hike that day? I am comfortable solo but would be glad to have company. I just need to be down in time to drive around to Roaring Brook and hike in to Chimney Pond by dinnertime.

Thanks in advance.
Chris

 

[Stan]

This wasn't one of your questions but I'd consider completing the loop over Coe, down the Coe slide and on back to Marston Trail. While the slide can be tricky, especially in wet conditions, the rest of that leg does not add that much distance nor elevation gain.

I think Nesowadnehunk Field will get you on the Marston Trail sooner, all other things being equal. I'd be surprised if reservations at that time of the year were a problem, regardless of your order of choices.

Keep in mind that foul weather comes sooner and worser in that part of Maine so be prepared for anything.

 

[spencer]

1) Being a Sunday at the end of September, I would guess you should be able to get a site at any of the above. In order of preference for proximity to the Marston trailhead:

Katahdin Stream
Nesowadnehunk
Abol

however, you are most likely to get a spot at Nesowadnehunk and then Abol.

2) see above

3) I'd love to, but I don't think I can get away that weekend also.

Have fun,

spencer

 

[Tramper Al]

Camping for the Brothers

Hey Chris,

Dude, I was right on the verge of begging to join you at your campsite on the 26th. I could tell you all about my two heroic ascents of North Brother in the last couple of years. Martens, beavers, big bear, the works. I would then sneak away before dawn to 'whack East Turner, which I have been threatening to do for so long now that I am sure my credibility is at stake.

Unfortunately, the 26th is the last day (for now) that the pinstripes will be in town this season, and three generations of Flint boys will be in the bleachers to see it all. Still, that should be fun too.

Of course, it takes a while to drive any distance on that tote road, but I don't think you will find any of the west side campgrounds to be inconvenient for your North Brother plan.

Listen, you really should consider a 'leave-no-stragglers' approach on this one. The bushwhack has become increasingly straight-forward and the loop makes for a very nice day. For what it's worth, I started the clockwise loop at 0545, and by dinner time (7 or so) I was down and had driven nearly to Portland. And that included my taking about an hour's nap on North Brother's summit, waiting for some late sleepers to show up already. I'll bet it would have been a little painful climbing to Chimney Pond that evening as well, though, now that I think about it. Maybe you could get one of the youngsters in the group to slack up some of your gear?

Bring your compass for Fort, just in case. Just get up wicked early and I promise you won't regret it. Wish I could join you.

 

[spencer]

I agree with Tramper about leaving no stragglers. When you get around to wanting the 100 including Fort and Coe (and you will sooner or later), you'll be sorry you ducked out early on them.

the loop is really quite fun and as Stan mentioned, it doesn't add that much once you are up there.

and Tramper, stop threatening about E. Turner... I'm trying to wait for you, so say the word....

spencer

 

[weatherman]

Thanks all! Tramper, you got tickets??? I remember we had decent radio reception (shh don't tell anyone) at Chimney Pond last year for the playoffs, looks like we'll be tuning in again.
So, Fort...the idea of a solo bushwhack on a Monday with snow looming within weeks... I don't want to be that guy in the Klondike. We'll see if there are any takers to make it non-solo.
And the reason I can't get anybody from the bigger group to join me is that I AM the youngster in the group. (Last year I was the designated pack mule from Roaring brook to CP, bringing 65 lbs plus a big pot on the outside that went 'bong' anytime it hit anything. I was also the only one who brought some winter gear, and guess what, it snowed.)

 

[bigmoose]

What? You packed 65 lbs of pot and a bong into Chimney Pond??! Is that permissable in the BSP regulations?

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

I spent the summer of 1973 camped at Chimney Pond and was able to pick up Red Sox games every night on the AM station in Millinocket. But, of course, I never explored the radio dial for Yankees games!

 

[hikethe115]

I have to agree that you should at least get Fort even if you don't do South Brother and Coe. The best way to do Fort is from the top of North Brother so you would have to go up North Brother again if you ever decided to get it. I'm speaking from experience here. We just did Fort on Sunday. It is kind of thick but relatively straight forward. The summit is open and quite nice.

 

[Dr. Dasypodidae]

In 1986, I was camped at a private place just outside the Togue Pond gate (no space inside the park) listening to the Sox-A's AL series game in which Dave Henderson hit his home run on the left coast. It was a short night for sleep, as we were at the gate at 6 am for drive into Roaring Brook for an ascent of the Armadillo Rt., the last weekend that the park was open. There was ice in the crux 5.7 crack that sent me on a 40-footer leader fall before I got up that pitch, but all was ok because the Sox had won the night before.

 

[weatherman]

Red Sox save lives!

Ah, 1986... I was on 93 on the way back from a hike in the Northern Presis for that game. Kept me from falling asleep. But I almost drove off the road cheering when Henderson hit that HR.
All of your exhortations for Fort may change my mind.
Wow, it would take a long time to consume 65 lbs... and where would all the extra food have gone?

 

[Blue]

On the other hand - if you should get the chance to climb Fort with Tramper Al in mid-winter - jump on it!

Yes, definitely!!

 

[SherpaKroto]

Yes, definitely!!

Just don't do like I did and break something while training!

 

[Jean]

Like others, I strongly encourage you to do the whole Fort - Brothers - Coe loop. it is a memorable one.
My latest avatar is from South Brother with Katahdin in the background.

I also hear from multiple sources that Doubletop is a great hike. It's on the agenda of rmy next visit in BSP.

Ah 1986....wasn't that the year of the Bill Buckner incident????

 

[SherpaKroto]

Tramper, ladder had nothing to do with it. We were on Willey, butt sliding, lots of snow on top, less so as we descended. By the time I reached the ladder, damage was already done. Exposed rock, saw it, deflected around it with my boot, but slid right back over it on the ice. Seriously: this was a conditioning hike for the BSP trip that became a "bummer" (pun intended), and ended my winter. Sh*t happens sometimes.