Mt. Katadhin

Dates of Trip: 22-24 August 2008
Climbers: hobo and tortoise
Location: Baxter State Park, ME, USA
Trailhead: Helon Taylor
Summit Objectives: Katadhin (Maine High Point)
Total Time: 10.5 hours
Summit: 5267 feet
Ele. Gain: 3410 feet
Distance: 9.8 mile

Car-camped at Katahdin Stream, then drove over to rolling brook trailhead. Ascended via Helon Taylor Trail, traversed the Knife Edge to bag all three Katahdin peaks: Pamola, South, and Baxter. Descended via Saddle (steep and LONG). Spotted a moose feeding at Chimney Pond. Tortoise's first class III!

Grays and Torreys

Dates of Trip: 8-9 August 2008
Climbers: hobo and tortoise
Location: Front Range, CO, USA
Trailhead: Grays Peak
Summit Objectives: Edwards, Grays and Torreys
Total Time: 8.0 hours
Summit: Grays at 14270 feet, Torreys at 14267 feet
Starting Ele: 11280 feet)
Ele. Gain: 3600 feet
Distance: 8.3 mile

Camped at Grays Peak Trailhead with about 8 other parties, including a drunk one that stayed up loudly until 12:45am. Got up at 3:30a after a rather uncomfortable night of sleep. On the trail by 4am. Meant to head south to high 13er, Mt. Edwards, but got a bit confused and shoved off for the 14ers instead. Summitted Grays at 7:30a, followed by Torreys at 8:30a. *Massive* crowds of people of which I'd never seen the like on a mountain. Briefly considered making a run at Edwards at the end, but decided against, based on lateness of hour, weather observation, and tiredness. Back at parking by noon. Gnarly drive up and down the access road, but the Pontiac made it again. It's an off-road vehicle at heart. Got home and took solid 2hr nap.