Completing the Winter 115 on Baxter Peak

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John H Swanson

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As mentioned in the "Katahdin - a walk in the park" trip report, I lead a group up Katahdin on 3/10/07.

In December, we had filed our paperwork with the park requesting permission to climb Katahdin as a dayhike for one day on each of 3 weekends in February. The first weekend, the weather was okay but not ideal so we delayed. Then, the weather shut us down. So we re-filed for three weekends in March. Again the weather was not good on the first weekend. Then, this past weekend, we had a window to climb. The ideal time - after the cold, and before the next rain storm, was falling in the middle of Friday night. We toyed with the idea of a late start on Friday, but knowing BSP's policy on getting done with the hike before dark - we opted for Saturday.

The Saturday weather forecast predicted Millinocket temps starting at 20 and going up to 35; Clouds all day with rain/sleet/snow in the afternoon. Time of arrival of the bad stuff was uncertain - maybe 1pm, maybe 3pm, maybe 6pm depending on the source.

We had a strong group of 8 that turned out to be two autonomous subgroups of 4. Nan and I were joined by Alex and Dennis (DMS). The second half of our group (the faster and stronger contingent) included Cath, Kathy, Tim, and Jon.

We met at 3:00, drove to Abol parking lot and started hiking at 3:50am by headlamp. The second half of the group started a little later because of a late arrival the night before (that's another story)

Snow conditions were excellent - nearly all bootable. 5 miles on the snomobiled trails and roads then onto the packed Abol trail. We tried using snowshoes from Abol campground to the slide, but it was quite frustrating as the trial was narrowly broken - only about 12" wide - so we took them off and booted it.

The slide was a mix of mostly exposed treadway (rocky trail) with some packed snow but no ice - essentially bootable. We used crampons for a short time in the beginning but eventually there was more rock than snow so we took them off.

During the climb up the slide, the sun beamed down on us and there was a light (10-20mph) breeze. The sky was full of picturesque high clouds. It was beautful, but the clouds foretold the coming weather.

At the top of the slide we (all 8 of us) met together. We continued on as two groups with one group heading over to Hamlin and Baxter and the other going to Baxter peak.

The tableland and the entire Katahdin massif were totally white. The route to the summit bootable with just one short slightly icy spot that could be avoided. We summited at 11:25 and stayed there to 11:55.

On the descent the wind kicked up to a steady 20+mph from the south and spindrift was getting blown across the tableland. It was getting a little more wild, but still quite nice by alpine standards. The cloudline was getting lower in the sky.

Once we were over the lip of the slide, we were in the lee. Sun and warmth predominated. More of the snow on the slide had melted off during the day. In some places the rock was wet to the touch.

On the roadwalk out, the front moved in. It started raining slightly at 3:25pm. Only as we arrived at the cars at 3:40, did the rain become more steady.

When Nan and I started winter climbing seven years ago, we started working on the 115 (my second round). It all came down to this one remaining peak. For a time is seemed like the weather was working against us. But time and patience gifted us with some great conditions.

It was a great hike for everyone, and a very special hike for Nan and me as we completed our winter 111 adventure. We wound up doing all of the peaks together - sharing the good and bad moments It's been a great journey with many fond memories.
 
We're not worthy! :eek: (insert bowing icon here)

:D

Way to go John and Nan!

Does anyone else find it spooky that we also have:

Jean et Nat ? :D
 
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Congrats!
We spent a week together two years ago at Chimney Pond without getting a crack at the summit. I was fortunate enough to use the Abol Slide route last winter. Although the grandeur of the Great Basin is amazing, the slide route is pretty spectacular itself and seems to offer a much greater chance of success. ... when are you starting Round III ??
 
Abol Trail

John, thanks for asking me to join your group! It was a real pleasure to meet Nan (you are a lucky man!) and Alex. I really appreciate your patience in waiting for this old man to try his best to keep up with you youngsters! We certainly lucked out with the weather and snow conditions. The early start worked out great as well. I've been winter hiking for a lot of years, but it's never too late to learn something new from my hiking companions, next time up at BSP I'm going to have a haul sled! It is the second time I've been up Abol in winter, to me, this trail and this mountain are the ultimate in all of New England. The views from the summit are unrivaled in my experience. Looking down at the Turners, the Travelers, the Brothers, what can possibly be better! Congrats to you and Nan! I'm still going to try to convince you two to do the New England HH in winter, you are not that far away!
 
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Wow, we finished the same list the same day! :)

Congrats! Have I known, I would have had a thought for you when I was on top of Owl's Head that day :D
 
Double Bow said:
It was great to meet you. Congrats again! What a great day you had for your finale!!

What's next???

Winter 4s with friends.
Some more CO 14ers.
A few more NEHH we have left.
And many more international trips....the world has so much to offer.
 
Warm congrats to Nan... and you, too, John for doing them all again!!

And I agree w/you re: "The world has so much to offer."

:)
 
Good job John and Nan

I am glad I was able to join you for one of these trips although you may not be that glad in retrospect. I was the idiot who went off to Seward when everyone else went to Donaldson and Emmons. I ended getting my rear end kicked by some krumholz and giving up, leaving you guys a nice dead end about a half mile from Seward. (Dec 22 2004)

I'm glad you finished despite my help. Next time you go to the Sewards, I promise that I will hike in Maine for your sake.

Congrats
Phil S
 
Congrats to Nan, who told me soon after you two started hiking together that she "was not into lists!" Been a pleasure hiking with both of you, and with John since we first met on an epic winter ascent of Abraham in Maine many a December ago (on that trip you were ok in my book when you said that turn-around times could be ignored in special circumstances).
 
So is that 2 x 115 in winter? How many people have done that?

It appears that some people that days used skis, snowshoes, crampons, and boots - maybe they should be called the Compleat Mountaineer.
 
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