Training Update #4: Katahdin

photo credit: NEIce user "chess"

photo credit: NEIce user "leaf"

Tomorrow we leave on a week-long training trip to Mt. Katahdin, in northern Maine, home of the biggest, baddest, most-remotest alpine wall on the east coast. Yes, I realize that's not saying much.

We're going to be testing our full Denali system - the MSR Reactor, the one-sleeping-bag bivy, the boots, the belay pants, etc. etc. etc.  Every little detail we've ironed out over the past few months will be put to test, and doubtless most of it will change.

Katahdin is nowhere near the scale of Denali, but routes in its South and North Basins involve serious, sustained alpine climbing in an unforgiving environment.  We're expecting temperatures in the teens during the day, if it's sunny, and around zero at night.  If a piece of the system isn't working, we'll know pretty quick.

Main goals are the Cilley-Barber, the Chauvin-Cole, and Waterfall Buttress.  We may also try to climb two routes in a day, which will approximate about 2/3 of the Cassin.

Have a good week!  We will.