Flashes of Panic: Base Camp

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Base Camp

I am printing out maps from my topo map software. Unlike the usual maps which show clusters of geocaches waypointed on the page, this has only one: the Baxter Peak of Mt. Katahdin, the high point of Maine but better known to most people as the northern end of the Appalachian Trail. The trail across South Peak to Chimney Peak is known as the Knife Edge. It’s not a fun place to get lost, hence the maps and the packing list which includes multiples of items like GPSrs and compasses.

The territory up here is not only rugged, it’s not often traveled. Evidence: while most of the heavy black labels on the topo map are typeset, the elevations marked on the isobars are apparently hand-lettered.

I have a packing list to work through.

Now Playing: Sheltering Sky from Cherry Marmalade by Kay Hanley

Posted by pjm on August 25, 2005 9:53 AM | Permalink

Comments

Enjoy Katahdin! I was last up there with a summer camp at age 11 or 12. I am terribly afraid of heights, so the knife edge wasn’t a pleasant experience for me. It’s narrow and steep enough that you can easily envision falling off. While getting lost there is pretty much impossible, the areas around are certainly large enough that getting lost could be a real risk, esp. if you go off marked trails. Many people forget the Maine is, largely due to the paper companies, the last remaining large wilderness area in the east. Have a great trip!