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100 Mile Wilderness, ME

Two Week Trip

Aug 1 - Aug 16, 2015 -- $1800 ★★★★★

The Northern Terminus of the legendary 2190-mile long Appalachian National Scenic Trail is Mt. Katahdin, which at 13 feet short of a vertical mile, is also the highest summit in the state of Maine. Just South of the mountain is the most remote, untamed part of the Appalachian Trail, the so-called the 100 Mile Wilderness.


Unlike other parts of the AT, there are no towns, no roads, no services, and no resupply, just pure unadulterated wilderness full of moose, black bears, beavers, spruce trees, warm and swimmable pristine lakes, miles of luscious blueberries, rocky outcroppings, carniverous pitcher plants and berry bogs. At night we'll be able to relax by the campfire and meet a panopoly of anecdote laden thru-hikers completing their many month long journeys.


We will begin our hike on the outskirts of a small town called Monson, ME. We will then traverse 100 miles of pure wilderness, summitting Barren Mountain, Chairback Mountain, Hay Mountain and Whitecap Mountain. We will also traverse Rainbow Ledges and Gulf Hagas - the Grand Canyon of Maine.


After the 100 miles, the trip will culminate in a day hike up to the summit of 5267' Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine and the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Optionally, you can accent your final ascent with a harrowing traverse across the famed Knife's Edge, with sweeping views and thousand foot dropoffs on either side.


If you've ever wanted to experience true wilderness in America, this is a trip that you'll never forget. Why not join us this summer?



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when hiking. Expect daytime hiking temperatures in the 60s & 70s and nighttime temperatures in the 40s & 50s. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 80s and night temperatures in the 30s. You may also experience torrential, bone chilling rains. Wind driven hail. Sweltering tropical heat and humidity. Even snow in the higher elevations in July and August. If you are not prepared for the weather changes, you may experience life threatening conditions. Always make sure to have dry clothing available at days end. Stay warm. Stay dry. Stay alive.



Trip Leaders

Jesse Hardie
Holly Chambers

Cost

$1800 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Bangor, ME (BGR) as well as personal equipment, and any restaurant meals.


Covered expenses include 2 nights in a hotel, 13 days of trail meals, ground transportation, canmpground fees and awesome guides.



Important Notes

This is our most difficult (and rewarding) trip. There are plenty of dangers and discomforts that may await. The trails are rocky, muddy, slippery and covered with roots. There are waist-high water crossings. There may be a surfeit of insects: mosquitoes, black flies, greenheads and no-see-ums. You may experience several days of cold pouring rain or sweltering 90 degree, 100% humidity days. Black bears roam the woods and mice roam the shelters. Hypothermia is always just around the corner. However, this trip is also an iconic transformative experience, in which you are immersed in the wilderness and emerge better, stronger and possibly a changed person.


On this trip, we have an "off day" scheduled to be used as needed, and we will probably need it. It may be a day of just doing nothing or a day of waiting out storms or a day to catch up if we don't make our daily mileages for whatver reason. The floater is currently scheduled for the end of the trip in Baxter State Park so that if there is a storm, we have 2 chances of summiting Katahdin. However if necessary, the day can be taken whenever necessary as a floater.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Saturday, August 1, 2015

Fly or drive into Bangor, ME (BGR)

We'll pick you up at the airport and shuttle to Country Inn at The Mall, 936 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, 207-941-0200

Equipment shakedown. We look through ALL your stuff and try to economize the weight you carry while making sure you're prepared for the elements.

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Trail mix distribution

Buy last minute and forgotten items at LL Bean Outlet Store, 534 Stillwater Ave., Bangor, ME 04401, 207-942-0146, open 'til 9PM

Option 2: Epic Sports, 6 Central St, Bangor, ME 04401, 800-466-2296, 207-941-5670, open 10AM-7PM

Go out for opening dinner at restaurant (TBD). Meal cost not included in trip cost.



Sunday, August 2, 2015

"Before" measurements taken again

Free breakfast in hotel

Shuttle about 2 hours to Appalachian Trail near Monson, ME elevation 1200'

Hike 3.0 miles to Leeman Brook Lean-To

Camp at Leeman Brook Lean-To, elevation 1100'

Total today: 3.0 miles. Trip Total: 3.0 miles.

Bailout: Route 15


Monday, August 3, 2015

Hike 7.4 miles to the Wilson Velly Lean-To

Camp at Wilson Valley Lean-To, elevation 1000'

Total today: 7.4 miles. Trip Total: 10.4 miles.

Bailout: Various unimproved logging roads


Tuesday, August 4, 2015

Hike 8.7 mostly grueling steep uphill miles over Barren Mountain to Cloud Pond turn-off

Hike 0.3 miles to Cloud Pond Lean-To completing a long, difficult day

Swimming possible in Cloud Pond

Camp at Cloud Pond Lean-To, elevation 2500'

Total today: 9.0 miles. Trip Total: 19.4 miles.

Bailout: Various unimproved logging roads


Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Hike 0.3 miles back to the Appalachian Trail

Hike 2.1 miles to the summit of Fourth Mountain, elevation 2383'

Hike 4.8 miles down and up steep rocky terrain to Chairback Gap Lean-To, elevation 1900'

Camp at Chairback Gap Lean-To, elevation 1900'

Total today: 7.2 miles. Trip Total: 26.6 miles.

Bailout: KI Logging Rd.


Thursday, August 6, 2015

Hike 3.9 steep rocky downhill miles to Katahdin-Ironworks Logging Road, elevation 750'

Hike 0.5 miles to the West Branch of the Pleasant River

Wade across knee-deep Pleasant River

This is the beautiful and scenic Gulf Hagas Area. Optional: Take some time to explore the area.

Hike 5.5 miles to the Carl A. Newhall Lean-To, elevation 1850'

Camp at Carl A. Newhall Lean-To, elevation 1850'

Total today: 9.9 miles. Trip Total: 36.5 miles.

Bailout: KI Logging Rd.


Friday, August 7, 2015

Hike 0.9 miles to the summit of Gulf Hagas Mountian, elevation 2683'

Hike 4.9 rugged uphill miles (using rock stairs thankfully) to the summit of White Cap Mountain, elevation 3654'

Sweeping views abound. You can see Mt. Katahdin far in the distance on a nice day.

Hike 1.4 miles to Logan Brook Lean-To

Camp at Logan Brook Lean-To, elevation 2400'

Total today: 7.2 miles. Trip Total: 43.3 miles.

Bailout: At least a day away


Saturday, August 8, 2015

Hike 8.5 miles to Crawford Pond, a nice place with a sandy beach to swim

Hike 3.2 miles to Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To

Camp at Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To, elevation 900'

Total today: 11.7 miles. Trip Total: 55.0 miles.

Bailout: Kokadkjo B-Pond Unimproved Logging Road


Sunday, August 9, 2015

Hike 3.7 miles to Jo-Mary Road

Pick up resupply, possibly drop off unwanted items

Hike 4.2 miles to Antlers Campsite

Camp at Antlers Campsite, elevation 550'

Antlers Campsite is just about the finest campsite in the 100 Mile Wilderness (if it's nice out). There is plenty of swimming opportunities and there's even has a 2 seat privy with a backgammon board.

Total today: 7.9 miles. Trip Total: 62.7 miles.

Bailout: Jo-Mary Rd.


Monday, August 10, 2015

Hike 6.1 miles to Mahar Tote Rd.

Whitehouse Landing Wilderness Camp has closed

Hike 4.9 miles to Nahmakanta Lake, swimming available

Camp at State Campground at the South end of Nahmakanta Lake, elevation 750'

Total today: 11.0 miles. Trip Total: 73.7 miles.

Bailout: Katahdin Air Seaplane


Tuesday, August 11, 2015

Hike 10.7 miles to Rainbow Stream Lean-To

Camp at Rainbow Stream Lean-To, elevation 950'

Total today: 10.7 miles. Trip Total: 84.4 miles.

Bailout: Various Unimproved Logging Roads


Wednesday, August 12, 2015

Hike 11.5 miles to over Rainbow Ledges to Hurd Brook Lean-To

Camp at Hurd Brook Lean-To, elevation 800'

Total today: 11.5 miles. Trip Total: 95.9 miles.

Bailout: Abol Bridge


Thursday, August 13, 2015

Hike 3.6 miles to Abol Bridge Campground. Congratulatons, you have completed the 100 Mile Wildernes portion of the Appalachian Trail!

Abol Bridge Campground has a small grocery store and showers.

Hike 0.8 miles to Blueberry Ledges Trail

Hike 4.4 miles on the Blueberry Ledges Trail to the Katahdin Stream Campground

Camp at Katahdin Stream Campgound, tent sites 16 & 17, elevation 1100'

Total today: 8.8 miles. Trip Total: 104.7 miles.

Bailout: Abol Bridge


Friday, August 14, 2015

Day Off - Floater. If for some reason the group was unable to keep up with itinerary, use this day to get to Katahdin Stream Campground. If the group made it to Katahdin Stream and it's a nice day, summit Katahdin as below.

Day Hike 5.2 miles to the summit of Mt. Katahdin, elevation 5267'

Optional: Day Hike 2.2 miles on the Knife's Edge to Chimney Peak, elevation 4902'

Day Hike 5.2 miles back to Katahdin Stream Campground, elevation 1100'

Total today: 12.6 miles. Trip Total: 117.3 miles.

Camp at Katahdin Stream Campgound, tent sites 16 & 17. elevation 1100'

Bailout: Baxter State Park


Saturday, August 15, 2015

Day Hike 5.2 miles to the summit of Mt. Katahdin, elevation 5267'

Optional: Day Hike 2.2 miles on the Knife's Edge to Chimney Peak, elevation 4902'

Day Hike 5.2 miles back to Katahdin Stream Campground, elevation 1100'

Total today: 12.6 miles. Trip Total: 119.1 miles.

Bailout: Baxter State Park

Shuttle back to Bangor

Check back into Country Inn at The Mall, 936 Stillwater Avenue, Bangor, ME 04401, 207-941-0200

"After" measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony (Dinner not included in trip cost)

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, August 16, 2015

Free Hotel Breakfast

Airport Drop


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