6/15

At the moment, our family Outback is taking our crew of four past Albany, NY. 10:15am the day before our adventure begins. My wife Barb and Sydney's boyfriend Payton have volunteered to no only chauffeur us the 18+  hours to Baxter State Park in Maine, but are also going to join us on day one-Mt.  Katahdin! 

 

One article indicated that this is one of the 7 most extreme climbs on the entire AT. Fortunately, we can do this with day packs since we go up (~4,200 ft in 5.2 miles) and return to the same place. Syd and I will then don our  packs (32# and 42#-loaded), say goodbye (for now) and head into the 100 mile Wilderness.

 

http://blog.rei.com/hike/seven-hardest-day-hikes-appalachian-trail/

 

But, for now, we are targeting Millinocket for the night where we'll seek the advice on the AT's northern most outfitter.