sli74
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As I sit here writing this trip report, the muscles of my arms and legs have a dull ache that reminds me of why the smile on my face is taking on a look of permanence. I have yet to stop beaming from ear to ear and I know that no words or even pictures can do justice to the experience of Baxter State Park in February with 9 wonderful friends and weather that must have been a direct blessing from Mother Nature herself. This trip was to be my introduction to the intensity of Baxter in Winter, a preparation for a much more intimidating trip coming up this March.
The trip was co-lead by our very own GO and Frodo. The anticipation of being in such esteemed company was the cause of much joy and nervousness. The group was put together back in October 2004, in time to make the Nov 1 deadline to book reservations for winter Baxter trips. And since November, we have all been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our trip into the winter wonderland that is Baxter State Park, a trip that was a first for many of us in the group.
The 3 days prior to leaving for Maine I spent many nights of little sleep, cursing myself for procrastinating yet again and frantically packing for what was to be the longest winter trip yet for me . . . 5 days in the “wilderness” of Maine. The packing and sled building was finally finished by about 2 am on Tuesday night, Feb 1, 2005. I fidgeted and squirmed my way through my experiments at work on Wednesday, finally breaking free and making my way out of Boston headed to SherpaK’s house where I was to leave my car and join him for the drive up to Millinocket Maine to meet up with Arm and Donna, Sean and BoB.
The six of us were staying at the Terrace Motel in Millinocket and as SherpaK and I rode up to Maine with our sleds packed full into his Subaru Outback, we commented on how Donna and Arm, who car-pooled up there and Sean must already be in Millinocket enjoying a cold pre-Baxter beer. From a couple of phone calls, we also knew that we wouldn’t be the last of the Massachusetts contingent because BoB had left Springfield when we left N. Reading and Frodo was getting an alpine start at the wee hours of Thursday morning to meet us for breakfast.
As it turned out, we got a call from Donna and Arm when we were 10 miles from Augusta, ME telling us that they were having Mexican food at Margaritas (a real Mexican Restaurant) where else but Augusta. So, we decided that though we had already grabbed a quick dinner at Burger King, we would drop in and join them for drinks. Sean was already with them and so 5 of the 6 of us hung out long enough for BoB to catch up with us as he came through Augusta. Much of the next couple of hours is a blur to me as SherpaK was kind enough to allow me to catch a couple of ZZZZ while he drove us to the motel. I was EXHAUSTED and pretty much put my batteries in their charger and put myself to bed while the rest, who are a bunch of crazy party animals stayed out till 2 am at a pre-Baxter adventure at La Casa ( “ a Mexican Restaurant” )
Up by 5 am and at breakfast by 6 and we were excited and nervous . . . okay, I was nervous, I cannot speak for the rest. GO, Warren, Nadine and Frodo arrived in time to have a little breakfast themselves and before I knew it, we were on our way to Abol Bridge. The sun was smiling down upon us and the sky was a crisp and clear blue, so beautiful that we couldn’t help but be filled with joy and uncontrollable smiles. We parked the trucks and cars and SUVs and unloaded our heavy sled . . . . well, some heavier than others. I knew I had over-packed but one look at GO’s sleek sled and I knew I would be breaking my back dragging my monstrosity in 16 miles to Chimney Pond but what else is new. By this time, I was dizzy and nauseous from nervousness, fully convinced I had made the biggest mistake in over-estimating my abilities. I was “The Weakest Link . . . Goodbye”!
We all started at about 9 am with skis on our feet and sleds being drawn behind us. As we skied the tote road toward Togue Pond Gate, I fell to the back of the group, my usual spot and Arm kept me company back there. Though as the morning wore on and we made our way with constant views of Katahdin in the blue sky lit sunshine I found that I wasn’t too far behind the rest. We flip-flopped with other at about a mile and a half came to a junction where 2 rangers with snowmobiles were talking to the members of our group who were in the lead. As it turns out, Sean had accidentally left his lights on . . . but after some discussion it was decided that we would just deal with the dead battery when we got back from our 5 days in the Park.
The snow was packed down and the road relatively easily skiable. The sun beat down on us and we skied along spending time chatting and skiing with various members of the group. Upon reaching Togue Pond at about noon we were making good time having skied 4.5 miles and we regrouped and rested before making the sharp right onto the road leading a little over 8 miles to Roaring Brook Campsite where we were to spend the night. A little before Windy Pitch we came across Arm, lying out in the sun on his sled getting ready to take a nap. He told me that most of the others had removed their skis as the warmth of the day was causing the snow to soften and stick to the skis. I, being a less than wonderful skier, jumped at the chance to remove my skies and walk the rest of the way.
After strapping my skis to my already humongously overflowing sled, I carried on leaving Arm to take his nap. A little further down, I caught back up with Sherpa, Sean and BoB who were waxing skis and taking a break. I hiked on, knowing that I would be fighting dark to get to the cabin at Roaring Brook. As I huffed and puffed my way up Windy Pitch, Frodo was making his way sans sled on his skis towards me. He turned around after I gave him the update on the position of the rest of the group and kept me company for the rest of the 3 miles to Roaring Brook. Along the way, we caught up with Nadine and most of us made it to the cabin before headlamps became necessary. I was glad to not stop to pull it out of my pack. The warm glow from the cabin where the “speedier” crew had already built a fire was a welcome sight. The first day was now behind us and since Frodo and GO kept insisting that was the hardest day of the trip, I felt slightly relieved at not only having survived it but at feeling as energetic as I did when I finally settled into the cabin.
We listened to some music, thanks to Arm and Sean . . . luckily with the help of SherpaK and Donna, we kept “Moe” to a minimum . . . “No Mo’ Moe” and ate a hearty meal of chili and corn muffins which Arm so generously and graciously cooked, packed in and heated for the entire group. I felt pampered after that long trek in to just arrive at the table after having unpacked and be treated to such a yummy meal. I think it would be fair to say that we were ALL happy not to HAVE to cook that first night. I don’t remember much of the first night (this “memory gap/loss” will seem to be a trend throughout my trip report ) but I do believe that as the rest of the crew stayed up and hung out, I went into my bunk to lay down for a second and woke up 2 hours later . . . just in time to say “Goodnight” to everyone and go back to bed and fall asleep once again to the rumblings of the snores that eventually filled the cabin.
It was an uncharacteristically warm night for February in Northern Maine (and this too will be a trend in my report of this trip) and the woodstove made the cabin so toasty warm that most all of us slept with our sleeping bags unzipped. We all got a leisurely start as we only had an uphill 3.3 miles or so to hike with the sleds before we’d settle once again into the next warm cabin at Chimney Pond. The morning brought with it some clouds that blocked the blue of the sky we’d been treated to the day before but the winds were calm and the day just perfect for our uphill struggle from Roaring Brook to Chimney Pond.
I started this day just behind Nadine, Donna and Warren and though I saw Nadine and Warren briefly at the viewpoint before Basin Pond, I spent the majority of the hike up by myself, reflecting on life and luck, nature and beauty . . . I cannot describe the sense of power that seemed to flow from the trees and mountains. It was truly a magical place and I couldn’t believe that I was actually there. I would be lying if I said it was an easy trip up to Chimney Pond BUT it was not the grueling hike I was anticipating. I took my time and one step at a time made my way up there. I sat with Frodo for a bit after crossing over the frozen ice of Basin Pond and ate and chatted but once again upon getting back on the trail spent my time singing to myself and hiking ever so slowly and steadily to the cabin. A quick conversation with 2 female rangers on foot and the older of the 2 male rangers on snowmobiles left me with high hopes for a clear and sunny day for our upcoming summit attempts.
The trip was co-lead by our very own GO and Frodo. The anticipation of being in such esteemed company was the cause of much joy and nervousness. The group was put together back in October 2004, in time to make the Nov 1 deadline to book reservations for winter Baxter trips. And since November, we have all been anxiously awaiting the arrival of our trip into the winter wonderland that is Baxter State Park, a trip that was a first for many of us in the group.
The 3 days prior to leaving for Maine I spent many nights of little sleep, cursing myself for procrastinating yet again and frantically packing for what was to be the longest winter trip yet for me . . . 5 days in the “wilderness” of Maine. The packing and sled building was finally finished by about 2 am on Tuesday night, Feb 1, 2005. I fidgeted and squirmed my way through my experiments at work on Wednesday, finally breaking free and making my way out of Boston headed to SherpaK’s house where I was to leave my car and join him for the drive up to Millinocket Maine to meet up with Arm and Donna, Sean and BoB.
The six of us were staying at the Terrace Motel in Millinocket and as SherpaK and I rode up to Maine with our sleds packed full into his Subaru Outback, we commented on how Donna and Arm, who car-pooled up there and Sean must already be in Millinocket enjoying a cold pre-Baxter beer. From a couple of phone calls, we also knew that we wouldn’t be the last of the Massachusetts contingent because BoB had left Springfield when we left N. Reading and Frodo was getting an alpine start at the wee hours of Thursday morning to meet us for breakfast.
As it turned out, we got a call from Donna and Arm when we were 10 miles from Augusta, ME telling us that they were having Mexican food at Margaritas (a real Mexican Restaurant) where else but Augusta. So, we decided that though we had already grabbed a quick dinner at Burger King, we would drop in and join them for drinks. Sean was already with them and so 5 of the 6 of us hung out long enough for BoB to catch up with us as he came through Augusta. Much of the next couple of hours is a blur to me as SherpaK was kind enough to allow me to catch a couple of ZZZZ while he drove us to the motel. I was EXHAUSTED and pretty much put my batteries in their charger and put myself to bed while the rest, who are a bunch of crazy party animals stayed out till 2 am at a pre-Baxter adventure at La Casa ( “ a Mexican Restaurant” )
Up by 5 am and at breakfast by 6 and we were excited and nervous . . . okay, I was nervous, I cannot speak for the rest. GO, Warren, Nadine and Frodo arrived in time to have a little breakfast themselves and before I knew it, we were on our way to Abol Bridge. The sun was smiling down upon us and the sky was a crisp and clear blue, so beautiful that we couldn’t help but be filled with joy and uncontrollable smiles. We parked the trucks and cars and SUVs and unloaded our heavy sled . . . . well, some heavier than others. I knew I had over-packed but one look at GO’s sleek sled and I knew I would be breaking my back dragging my monstrosity in 16 miles to Chimney Pond but what else is new. By this time, I was dizzy and nauseous from nervousness, fully convinced I had made the biggest mistake in over-estimating my abilities. I was “The Weakest Link . . . Goodbye”!
We all started at about 9 am with skis on our feet and sleds being drawn behind us. As we skied the tote road toward Togue Pond Gate, I fell to the back of the group, my usual spot and Arm kept me company back there. Though as the morning wore on and we made our way with constant views of Katahdin in the blue sky lit sunshine I found that I wasn’t too far behind the rest. We flip-flopped with other at about a mile and a half came to a junction where 2 rangers with snowmobiles were talking to the members of our group who were in the lead. As it turns out, Sean had accidentally left his lights on . . . but after some discussion it was decided that we would just deal with the dead battery when we got back from our 5 days in the Park.
The snow was packed down and the road relatively easily skiable. The sun beat down on us and we skied along spending time chatting and skiing with various members of the group. Upon reaching Togue Pond at about noon we were making good time having skied 4.5 miles and we regrouped and rested before making the sharp right onto the road leading a little over 8 miles to Roaring Brook Campsite where we were to spend the night. A little before Windy Pitch we came across Arm, lying out in the sun on his sled getting ready to take a nap. He told me that most of the others had removed their skis as the warmth of the day was causing the snow to soften and stick to the skis. I, being a less than wonderful skier, jumped at the chance to remove my skies and walk the rest of the way.
After strapping my skis to my already humongously overflowing sled, I carried on leaving Arm to take his nap. A little further down, I caught back up with Sherpa, Sean and BoB who were waxing skis and taking a break. I hiked on, knowing that I would be fighting dark to get to the cabin at Roaring Brook. As I huffed and puffed my way up Windy Pitch, Frodo was making his way sans sled on his skis towards me. He turned around after I gave him the update on the position of the rest of the group and kept me company for the rest of the 3 miles to Roaring Brook. Along the way, we caught up with Nadine and most of us made it to the cabin before headlamps became necessary. I was glad to not stop to pull it out of my pack. The warm glow from the cabin where the “speedier” crew had already built a fire was a welcome sight. The first day was now behind us and since Frodo and GO kept insisting that was the hardest day of the trip, I felt slightly relieved at not only having survived it but at feeling as energetic as I did when I finally settled into the cabin.
We listened to some music, thanks to Arm and Sean . . . luckily with the help of SherpaK and Donna, we kept “Moe” to a minimum . . . “No Mo’ Moe”
and ate a hearty meal of chili and corn muffins which Arm so generously and graciously cooked, packed in and heated for the entire group. I felt pampered after that long trek in to just arrive at the table after having unpacked and be treated to such a yummy meal. I think it would be fair to say that we were ALL happy not to HAVE to cook that first night. I don’t remember much of the first night (this “memory gap/loss” will seem to be a trend throughout my trip report ) but I do believe that as the rest of the crew stayed up and hung out, I went into my bunk to lay down for a second and woke up 2 hours later . . . just in time to say “Goodnight” to everyone and go back to bed and fall asleep once again to the rumblings of the snores that eventually filled the cabin.It was an uncharacteristically warm night for February in Northern Maine (and this too will be a trend in my report of this trip) and the woodstove made the cabin so toasty warm that most all of us slept with our sleeping bags unzipped. We all got a leisurely start as we only had an uphill 3.3 miles or so to hike with the sleds before we’d settle once again into the next warm cabin at Chimney Pond. The morning brought with it some clouds that blocked the blue of the sky we’d been treated to the day before but the winds were calm and the day just perfect for our uphill struggle from Roaring Brook to Chimney Pond.
I started this day just behind Nadine, Donna and Warren and though I saw Nadine and Warren briefly at the viewpoint before Basin Pond, I spent the majority of the hike up by myself, reflecting on life and luck, nature and beauty . . . I cannot describe the sense of power that seemed to flow from the trees and mountains. It was truly a magical place and I couldn’t believe that I was actually there. I would be lying if I said it was an easy trip up to Chimney Pond BUT it was not the grueling hike I was anticipating. I took my time and one step at a time made my way up there. I sat with Frodo for a bit after crossing over the frozen ice of Basin Pond and ate and chatted but once again upon getting back on the trail spent my time singing to myself and hiking ever so slowly and steadily to the cabin. A quick conversation with 2 female rangers on foot and the older of the 2 male rangers on snowmobiles left me with high hopes for a clear and sunny day for our upcoming summit attempts.
