Knifes edge

[cp2000]

I am an avid hiker who ironicly enough is scared of ledges and what not(I almost pissed my pants when I tried to do the standard walk to the edge of Bond cliff)

Does the Knifes edge up in Baxter realy live up to all the hype?

 

[king tut]

if you're scared of heights and prone to vertigo, you might want to give it a pass. Check out this website, it has some good pics of the knife edge http://www.mainelyhiking.com/

The trail is about a mile long. The first half from baxter to Pamola is fine. The next 1/2 has some serious drop offs, 4-5 foot walking path on a ledge, and a few scrambles up ledges w/ the sides dropping off 2,000 feet to chimney pond. I get a little vertigo now and then, but i have done it 3 times.

 

[Artex]

It's all relative to how much vertigo one has. But having done Knife Edge four times and Bondcliff once, I'd say the Knife Edge would definitely prove to be a serious challenge for you, based on what you've said. It's very exhilarating, especially the Chimney Notch which is at the opposite end away from the main peak.

I'd recommend taking another, less imposing route to the summit of Katahdin (like the Saddle). From there, you can test drive the Knife Edge by going out on it a little bit, and then hiking back. If it gives you the willies, you'll know and be able to go back the way you came. If you feel you can handle it, then you'll also know, and can traverse it down.

Best of luck.

 

[cp2000]

WOW! Nice pics.

Must be a blast in high winds

 

[Bob Kittredge]

There are a couple of scrambles at the Pamola end that are on a par with some of the more exposed spots in Huntington Ravine. When I did it last year, there was a group of Quebecois ahead of us. One woman was clearly terrified on these two scrambles, and her friends were literally having to talk her through them inch by inch. "Jambe gauche ici." But she persevered and was all smiles when she reached Baxter Peak.

 

[bruno]

yeah, i was up there on monday and if you're uneasy at the edge of bondcliff, you'd most likely be uneasy on parts of the knife edge. there's definitely areas where you wouldn't want to slip or stumble. if you do hike it, i'd say take some spare drawers!

 

[wayward son]

I don't have a lot of hiking experience with severely exposed areas. The most exposed I've been was the west side of Saddleback and McComb slide in the Adirondacks. Neither a big deal. Also the Beehive and Precipiece in Acadia many times. Again ok, except the first time on the Precipiece was a bit hairy. I haven't taken on anything as serious as Colden's trap dyke or Huntington ravine. If I have the time, the dyke is still a possibility this year. How would my experiences rate with the Knife Edge? I'm heading for Maine this fall (Acadia) and I was thinking about swinging over to Baxter.

 

[twigeater]

I used to think I had a fear of heights, but realized several years ago that it's vertigo. I like to think I'm more in tune with Mother Earth, since it seems I can feel the earth spin.

I don't know about Bondcliff, but the West Side trail on Mt Washington gave me a hard time vertigo-wise.

I did the Knife Edge once (before I knew what it was all about) but I doubt I can ever do it again. Just going out to South Peak makes me nervous and looking down into Chimney Notch...ugh! Mentally and physically I'm able to do it, but that darn vertigo...

that said, I think everyone should do it once if they can - it is an awesome hike!

 

[yam]

i have a fear of heights and have done Knife's Edge twice now. each time i've cursed at myself as i've done it. but when i'm finished, i'm that much happier.
i find Knife's Edge isn't as tough for me mentally as Chimney Notch is. if you don't want to have panic attacks (which i had a small one at here), i'd suggest you not do that route.

 

[Oldsmores]

...I haven't taken on anything as serious as Colden's trap dyke or Huntington ravine. If I have the time, the dyke is still a possibility this year. How would my experiences rate with the Knife Edge? ....

I don't think there's any comparison between the Dyke and the Knife Edge. In the dyke you're in a ravine. There's some exposure, but it's limited and probably the longest drop you'd see is 15 - 20 feet. On the Knife Edge you are on a very narrow ridge, with 1000' of exposure on either side (not that you'd fall that far, but it's on a different scale altogether). I'm not particularly afraid of heights, but the Knife Edge definitely makes you want to be careful of your foot placements
Seriously, I think the scariest part of the Trap Dyke is if you miss the exit to the slide and end up in the cripplebrush (done it twice). Thought I might die there and they'd never find my body - I'd still be upright, 'cuz there's no way to fall down in that stuff...

 

[Pucknuts61]

If Baxter Peak is on your list and you're not sure about the Knife Edge, you might consider going up the Abol Trail to the summit. From there you can go the .3 miles to South Peak, check out the Knife Edge, and decide from there whether or not to proceed.
This is basiclaly bringing you from the opposite direction that most people go so you're heading to Pamola instead of away from it....it's just that the Chimney, which is the hardest part, will be the last section instead of the first.

 

[peakbagger]

My suggestion would be try to go down Hamlin Ridge trail before you do Knifes edge. Going down, it has several sections that approximate the exposure of the knifes edge.

 

[percious]

Knife's Edge definitely lives up to its name. For some pictures of this, click here:

http://www.percious.com/hiking/HP - ME - June 2005 - P1/index.html

I think this picture is the most suggestive of the lot. Check out the person crab-walking:

http://www.percious.com/hiking/HP - ME - June 2005 - P1/36 - Knifes Edge.jpg

I must say however, the payoff/risk ratio is very high. Stay away from here in high winds.

-percious

 

[Doc McPeak]

percious, those are some of the sweetest Baxter shots I've seen!!!

I'm sending the link to my friend who is going me for our first trip to BSP.

 

[percious]

Thanks Doc. We truely got lucky with the weather. That bluebird day made for some great shots. I want to go back to Katahdin in winter. Good luck on your upcomming trip.

-percious

 

[AntlerPeak]

Knife's Edge definitely lives up to its name. For some pictures of this, click here:

http://www.percious.com/hiking/HP - ME - June 2005 - P1/index.html

I think this picture is the most suggestive of the lot. Check out the person crab-walking:

http://www.percious.com/hiking/HP - ME - June 2005 - P1/36 - Knifes Edge.jpg

I must say however, the payoff/risk ratio is very high. Stay away from here in high winds.

-percious

Nice pics, now that you did the Knife edge you are ready for the Kendall Katwalk. I did that one a couple of years ago. It sort of gets your attention.

http://www.summitpost.org/mountains...8__route_id____user_id____order_by____limit__

 

[SherpaKroto]

Peakbagger has a very good suggestion. Hamlin Ridge is an awesome hike, and does have some exposure. If you have issues with that, Knife Edge is probably not a good choice.

The short climb/descent to/from Chimney Peak on the Knife Edge is the spot that will give you pause for concern. I know of more than a few that have turned around at Pamola Peak, knowing they could not bring themselves to continue. If you do try the Knife Edge, I would ascend it. It would then be much easier to turn around than to reclimb South and Baxter Peaks after crossing most of the Knife Edge. On the other hand, standing on Baxter Peak gives you a pretty good idea of whether or not you wish to try the Knife Edge...

 

[MikePS]

I have summited Katadhin about twenty times over the past 20years, about 1/2 dozen up the Knife. My discomfort with heights has increased I am not sure I could do the Knife again- I strongly support the idea of going up- it is in the first 1/4 mile where the trickiest spots occur, Hamlin is a great suggestion to give you a sense of the mountain, good luck and have fun!