MT MARCY vs. MT KATAHDIN

[SteveHiker]

It just goes to show you that you can't judge by summit elevation alone. Lafayette is only 8 feet lower (according to my AMC WMG) than Katahdin. But I think everyone would agree it is considerably easier.

 

[Raymond]

From what I've seen of Capitol Peak—and that's not much—it's the stuff of nightmares. I haven't done Katahdin's Knife Edge either, but I don't think there's any comparison with Capitol Peak.

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

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

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

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

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

 

[Mike P.]

It's been a few years for Katahdin for me but I'd say Marcy from Loj easier than the Chimney Pond & Saddle Trail but not that much, different though.

Up Helon Taylor & then over the KE much harder.

Can anyone compare Marcy when coming from Upper Works? I went up Marcy from Four Corners & from teh south but that was after Skylight & Redfield & estimate that by the time I reach Four Corners I had 13 to 13.5 miles in already, not really a fair comparison but that last ascent was brutal. I had not been up Marcy in almost 11 years which was one reason to go up again but from Four Corners as I thought about getting back to the Loj, I knew the Van H & I knew it had very good footing so I could make good time.

(3 1/4 hours of tired but fairly quick walking - I remember jogging parts of it years ago.... the same year -40 pounds I jogged up Chimney Pond & ran down it)

As others mentioned noting in the east really compares to Katahdin, although the traffic at the gate reminds me of my commute when I have to travel the Merritt Parkway in the morning....

 

[RGF1]

Have any of you climbed Capitol Peak in Colorado? If so, how does it compare with Katahdin's Knife Edge? I am considering climbing that one on a trip to Colorado several weeks from now.

Some one Else posted Photos . Having done Capitol a few times one winter ascent I will never repeat willingly . I can say with out a doubt the knife edge on Capitol is both dangerous and extreamly exposed it is in the if you fall you probably will die catagory it is considered a Class Four route many use rope and protection on it. it is not a mountain to be trifled with . Every year people die of Falls, rockfall ,avalanches and lightning on it and other Peaks in the Elk Range . They are among the most if not the most dangerous peaks in CO they are much more difficult to climb than any thing in the North East All but Captiol require some decent mountaineering skills . I have no idea of yours So I really cannot say much more than a general warning . The Maroon Bells are called The Deadly Bells for very good reasons Percentage wise they are the most deadly peaks in North America . All of the 14ers have exposed loose rock the easist route on Castle Peak is a tough class 2 low 3 . If you are uncomfortable with exposure It would be a good idea not to climb the Elks.
If you are not familair with the Elks I suggest Castle peak
via either the North west or Northeast ridge routes as a intro to theas very difficult and dangerous peaks.

http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/346

Most people climb Capitol as a back pack . Though I have done it in a day I do not recomed this though it is a VERY long day and you will be starting very early I set out at midnight. I do this to be on my way down before noon to avoid the daily thunderstorms . If ther is snow it gets soft very fast in the Sun at those altitudes.
Thre really in not a comparison between Captiol and Katahdin at all both a re great peaks

http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/36

To be blunt the knife edge on Captil makes the Knife edge on Katahdin look like a interstate . While Katadin's can be unnerving to some it is not if you slip you are going to take a few thousand foot plummet. Capitols is . One needs a helmet sometimes ice axe . crampons and rope.
If you are in the leadvile /Aspen Snowmass area . La PLata peak http://www.summitpost.org/show/mountain_link.pl/mountain_id/203 is great one of my favorites . Mt Elbert is a pleasnt walk up . Mt Massive is well masive and not very difficult just long and alot of exposure to the weather. It has the largest area above 14,000 ft in the lower 48 .
So you are above tree line for a long time.

Where ever you go have fun


For what is worth Both Marcy and Katahdin are great peaks Climb them . I have only climbed them once each .I enjoyed both hikes.

 

[mavs00]

I remember reading this posts a few weeks back an made a mental note to revisit it later. Having just climbed Katahdin (climbed Marcy a few years back), I feel qualified to add some imput now

I climbed both mountains by the so called "easy routes" of Chimney Pond/Saddle Trail (Katahdin) and Van Ho trail via the LOJ (Marcy). First off, I say this, going these routes, neither mountain is particularly difficult. I can think of many (MANY) tougher mountains out there. Big does not always mean difficult.For me, there are 4 primarly things that make a hike tough. Distance, elevation, trail type and duration. There are others of course, but these seem to stick out. I'll break em down for ya

Distance - The sortest route to Marcy is solidly 4 miles longer, and you will feel those miles towards the end of the hike. My dogs were certainly barking by the end of the day and the stretch between Marcy Dam and the LOJ seemed longer than normal. My feet were a touch sore after Katahdin, but mostly due to the rocks (more about that later) and not so much general foot weariness.
Advantage: Marcy

Elevation - The ascent for Katadin is roughly 3750' and Marcy is 3000'. Marcy's number is a little deceiving, as a lot of the early stuff is over undulating terrain and the actual elevation is closer to 3300'. Also, more of Katahdin's feet are out in the open with killer views, which seems to make em' easier to me
Advantage (slight): Kahtadin

Trail condition - NO QUESTION, Katahdin's trail is a mass of jumbled rock and granite and there is no escape, aside from getting in your car at the end of the day. Marcy, aside from a few sections (notably Marcy Dam to Indian Falls) has decent footing and is pretty foot friendly throughout.
Advantage: Kahtadin

Duration - We hiked Katahdin via the Saddle trail (and back) in just about 8 hrs and we did Marcy in 9.5 hours. I should note that we did Marcy on a Bluebird day and we wasted at least 2 hours of that time flat on our butts enjoying the day.
Advantage: too close to call

There is my review, take it FWIW. One or two more thoughts. Katahdin does provide a killer WOW factor. And from Chimney Pond, looking up at those walls it seems this peak would be a hard from any angle (and it surely is from some of them). The Saddle trail, however, is pretty benign. There are some really difficult routes, but if your just looking to get up that sucker, it can be done pretty reasonably.

Harder, easier, hard to say. Both are certainly worth the effort to climb. If I had to pick only one that I had to do over, I'd say Katahdin (hands down).