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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 31 ส.ค. 2013
- ***GoPro-recorded West-East traverse with narration. Don't miss the GoPro "strap-cam" tilt-down on the "Skywalk" CLIFF (15:00)
NOTE: Four years after this, I did the EAST-WEST traverse (second time, with GoPro) • Katahdin Hiking: Whole...
the Direction I RECOMMEND.
If you Like this video, please hit the pop-out SUBSCRIBE button (“vtb”) in the lower right corner, and I’ll do my best to bring you more!
This hike is dedicated to my Dad, Harris Thurber, who passed away six months short of his 60th birthday. At age 60, I set out to hike the South Basin Circuit: Cathedral to Knife Edge to Dudley Trail, beginning at Roaring Brook. First, though, I make a quick trip to Sandy Stream Pond for the view that was missing two weeks ago. See the first part of the hike in "Katahdin Hiking: Cathedral Trail GoPro." I decide that the Dudley Trail will wait for next year.
NO COPYRIGHT IS CLAIMED OR INTENDED FOR MUSIC BY ALTURAS.
WORK GLOVE PSA from a BSP Ranger:
For Ascents and DESCENTS of Cathedral and Dudley Trails, and even Knife Edge TRAVERSE, Leather-faced WORK GLOVES can be Very Helpful for Maintaining Skin on your Palms. I recommend a Mesh Back for all but the coldest weather. (They can be easily stowed in a side pocket when not needed, and shouldn’t add much weight).
DISCLAIMER: This video is meant to give the viewer a taste of what may be encountered in a hike on this trail. It is NOT comprehensive, nor meant to be a substitute for careful planning and hike preparation, including consultation of the appropriate guidebook(AMC Maine Mountain Guide), online trail updates, and weather reports, nor does it substitute for actual hiking experience or safe hiking practice. A prospective hiker should consider his/her fitness level, quality of equipment, and hiking experience, along with need for hiking companions, before attempting any trail. - กีฬา
My pleasure! My goal is to film many of the most interesting trails in the Northeast mountains, so that people will have a taste of what they're in for, and so that when I'm too old, I can "hike" them again, vicariously.
Great video. Thank you very much for taking the time to share this.
Just drove through Maine after visiting Gros Morne Park in Newfoundland and wondered what kind of hiking is involved to get to the top of Katahdin. Your video is very helpful.
FANTASTIC!
Well done, vtboomer! I'm living vicariously now but hope to visit the Knife-Edge either later this year or next spring!
soooo awesome!
Just did Knife Edge from the summit, via Catherdral just this weekend. You were lucky to have no wind and a crystal clear day! Very hazy for me. Your video gives great perspective
a fantastic series and a good mental prep for my own Mount Katahdin's hike next week.
Thank you. Although this is west to east, I favor the east to west travel as being slightly easier through the Chimney:
th-cam.com/video/-DWA0NTUhds/w-d-xo.html
Thanks for posting your vids. I'm back to hiking and backpacking after a 20 year hiatus and I'm loving it. My friends and I have a site at Chimney pond for two nights next week and this video was a key part of our trip planning / decision making. Just found out the Dudley trail is closed so that's a bummer but we'll still have a blast.
Turned 51 this year and your vids were one of the things that motivated me to get back out there so thanks for that. Summited Mount Washington in July, Did Franconia three weeks ago and now on to Katahdin in late August. Yay. Putting together plans for a six day trip to Grand Canyon NP next April.
That's what I'm here for. Your only Knife Edge option will be to cross from the summit and return (to Chimney Pond). You can choose to stop short of the Chimney! Safe travels and have fun!
fantastic....
nice narration and amazing footage.
p1nesap Thanks! It was an amazing day at an awesome place!
Great video!
Thank you! Hopefully you will like my other Katahdin Hiking vids, too! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
I hiked the Hunt Trail up to Katahdin, finishing my thu hike of the AT. But... this video over the knife edge is insane. My brother did it (he's a section hiker) but I don't think as a thru hiker I could've made over this. This is intense! Coming up to Katahdin was bad enough! Kudos and I totally love this video. Me and my vertigo.
Well, fortunately AT hikers don't need the Knife Edge to complete the Trail. It's mostly just physically demanding, with no smooth-walking "rest"--but the Chimney, from either direction, is the crux, and requires actual rock-climbing skills.
Amazing job ..I was up there on this trail Sep 3 2018 unforgettable .Started from roaring lake to Chimney to Cathedral and to Baxter peak then whole Knife edge to Pamola peak and down through Helen Taylor It was a long day.
Congratulations! Sounds great! It is a long day, considering more than the trail distance ( = rocks, rocks, and more rocks, picking your way), and the vertical change.
13:14 great shot of Cathedral trail. Nice Vid
Thanks! One of the joys of climbing different peaks and routes is seeing others from a different angle (see Six Husbands Trail vid).
What great weather you had! Shared with the Baxter State Park Facebook page.
Thanks for sharing! I traveled over twice that summer--the first day(s) I had to film South Turner and Borestone instead, so I chose the second day(s) very carefully!
Greetings, we ran into you at the Katahdin summit on Aug. 5 (Friday) 2016. It was a beautiful day. You had the chest GoPro on. Enjoyed the visit!
Thanks! The "Hunt Trail" video is up, "Abol Revised" soon!
just hiked the Knifes edge 2 weeks ago , I was to busy watching where I put my hands and feet to look down, it was a little hairy up there , and the wind was gusting 40 to 50 mph , but after we got through it , I couldn't stop thinking about it , what a thrill , was one of the best hikes and moments in my life !!!!
When you're trying to walk on top of rocks, those wind gusts make things a little too interesting sometimes. I was descending Jewell on Washington near the top, and the wind was making it very difficult to plant my poles where I wanted to!
Great video can't wait to top out this summer.will make my 5 th summit .giong to start to do the 5 presidents .in New Hampshire keep them coming. show them the great hiking we have .
Thank you! I was away last summer, so I'll try to put up some new vids in July, too.
I did this one on rollerskates back in 1971, Good to see it once again.
+Showdown Are you the guy who juggles a soccer ball at the top of a lamppost?!
vtboomer No,.....but I broke the record descending the K2 on a sledge the other day.
GREAT video !! The most complete I've seen. Hopefully it's the teaser for the end of my "18 Thru hike.
What day of the week (and date)was this hike. I have never seen that much traffic in any other Knife Edge videos. THANKS !! Hike smart, hike safe and hike on.
Did ya do it? Thru hike?
Very helpful video. I know I will not be traversing knife edge. Do not have the stomach for it. Thank you.
And that's another good reason why I post my videos--so you can decide! Actually, you're not even required to watch it again if you don't want to! :-)
@@vtboomer I am lol’ing! Hiked a fair amount in Whites and Adirondacks. Nothing like knife edge, though.
@@lenoxdog Hey, seriously, there's so much beauty and good times out there, and in VT and ME, too! Just go out, stay safe, and have fun!
You had beautifull day nearlly no fog.
It was a fantastic day--if I had taken the time to look carefully, I might have seen the ocean from the summits!
Wow, you deserve two "thumbs up"!
Well thanks! It was a super day!
My worst nightmare in real time! (fear of heights.) :-)
+Mr. Grumpy The GoPro makes it look worse than it is. If you would like Most of the experience, without the fear, go from the main peak eastward, skip the Cliff walk(go around the back or south side) and Return without going down into the Chimney. Plan for what I described to take a minimum of two hours, in addition to climbing to the main peak, and descending to base level after.
Thanks vtboomer, but I think it would be undoable for me. My 13 year old nephew is beginning to take an interest in climbing the high places and this past summer we tackled Mt. Marcy in NY. Well, I stayed at the treeline while he went to the top alone. Vertigo is a weird thing.
+Mr. Grumpy OK, I get it. You can still have some Really Nice walks in the woods, as you did going to Marcy!
I love how the blue blazes are marked on the trail of the Knife Edge... hahaha... like anyone would go off trail. Well, any intelligent person.
+Dawna Leigh Right, off trail = technical climbing and there are NO side trails to get down off the Edge quickly in a storm.
Hello! your videos have been extremely helpful to have some more visual reference (I'm not a fan of heights only when there are narrow parts with huge drop offs, have hiked plenty though). My friends and I are going last week of August, going up Chimney - Cathedral - Knife Edge - Helon Taylor.
Was hoping for a little clarity if you think this route is best and how narrow does it really get this way?
I have three videos that may help, my two most recent KE vids, and the Cathedral Trail vid. Your direction, starting at Cathedral, will be physically challenging, but the best way to approach that trail (I have not descended it, but others I know have). Your direction through "the Chimney", on the KE is not my preferred one, but again, is best for including CT. The only "huge drop off", which I call the Skywalk, is shown on both KE vids, from either direction, BUT does not have to be included, as you can walk around the back side of the minor peak on a wider, flat path. The Chimney, then, would be the "crux" of your trip, and will require careful negotiation in either direction.
fkn beautiful! im somewhat afraid of heights too but this trail looks wide
"enough" i dont feel like vertigo would set in.l i did angels landing and im not sure how i manage to psyche my min out lol. id totally attempt this trail.
Remember, the cliff walk is Not required to get across, and coming from Baxter Peak across, then returning means the steep Chimney does not have to be negotiated. Vertigo affects people differently, but there doesn't have to be any place you could fall off. (See Reply to Catalyst Edge below).
This looks so scary. I'm sure I'll do it sometime but I'm trying to improve my rock hopping and climbing abilities. I've done most of the Presidentials but the vertigo on the KE looks intense.
The fish-eye lens makes it look much worse than it really is! If you can do the Presidentials, you can do this easily.
What strap do you use for the GoPro that gives you such good position for the camera? Great job and congrats on the hike!
Thanks! I put a GoPro mount on my backpack strap made of 2 credit cards, separated by window insulation foam, and held together by duct tape--its thickness allowed it to be slid, with resistance, on the strap. GoPro has since designed a purpose-built mount that does the same thing. For my more recent vids, I have used their Chesty, which is plenty comfortable (and doesn't require a backpack.) The Chesty allows a tilt-down also.
This is awesome- I'm going to do this in late August. I've done the majority of NH48 & am scared of heights ironically- any helpful tips other than work on balance? Thanks, Ed
1) Pick a really good day, with No Threat of Thundershowers 2) The Chimney is the crux, and is best negotiated from Pamola west or 3) Climb Baxter Peak first, take the Knife Edge to Chimney Peak only, then return via Baxter.
I'm planning on going up there for 3 days & picking the best of the 3 to hike. I've done all the NH 48 including the Presidential range & what concerns me about this is I get vertigo at times & I worry about freezing from fear of heights. I've been hiking many years, but this seems totally like a different experience to me. Your advice is appreciated- thanks!
It is A LOT easier to go down The Chimney than up. Once you get up Pamola, you are home free. Take more 3-4 L of water, even on a cooler day. I ran out descending the mountain of Holon Taylor
I do have a fear of heights but i heard this wasnt as bad as videos look, im going with friends to hike katahdin next month, i was invited, we all just graduated and its sort of a get together trip for some fun and they may do this on the way back, my palms are sweaty just watching this and knees i feel would be a bit weak up there,. i could manage but is there any situations where just one wrong step could face death? because it looks like it at some parts./
If you have a true fear of heights, not just a fear of falling, you will Not be happy descending into the Chimney, particularly if you approach west to east toward Pamola(as in this video)--and east to west is not a lot easier!
You can experience the rest of the Knife Edge without great difficulty if you hike west to east, from Baxter Peak to Chimney Peak, and back. Go around the back (south side) of the minor peak west of Chimney, vs taking the "Skywalk" shown in the video, also.
Katahdin is probably the most rugged mountain in the Appalachians(Northeast). I realize "ruggedness" is a hard thing to define, but a simple way to think of it is the average grade of terrain on the mountain. No other mountain has such sustained drops on each side of the ridge. It is a very "Airy" trail. This is not a slant to any of the other extremely difficult trails in the appalachians, as I've experienced them in NH, VT and MA. I say Northeast because I really have no experience at all in the southern Appalachians.
I agree, but I would have to mix in several ascents in the Presidentials, including some on the north slope that I have yet to experience. There are also some in the Adirondacks that may include less vertical, but have some very challenging slabs. It is true that there is no "easy" trail on Katahdin, only "easier" or "more difficult."
vtboomer Yeah, some of the headwalls in the Presidentials are pretty insane. I've done Tuckerman up to washington which is a lot of fun, but overall less exposed than the knife edge. I haven't done the notorious huntington yet, but i want to try King Ravine or the Great Gulf soon.
Hi !!!it is great video!!! How many hours it is take to hike?
It depends very much on your ability and experience. I hike at fast average speed. From Roaring Brook, I allow 4 hrs to the summit, 2 hrs to cross the Knife Edge, and 3 hrs to descend Helon Taylor. Some can do this much quicker, others will take much longer.
vtboomer thank you!!!
I went with my so we had to take out time , took 14 hours for us , we got back in the dark
How do you get up there and not freeze up in fear?
he knows his limits really well and that would provide confidence
Somewhat scared of heights but want to try knifes edge. Opinion ?Out of the 3 Trails what is the less challenging trails to get to the summit. Also the best safer route to get to knifes edge and back down? If there is one .Going in October
I recommend Helon Taylor-Pamola-Knife Edge-Baxter Peak-Saddle Trail (East to West) as in my other video: th-cam.com/video/-DWA0NTUhds/w-d-xo.html It's a full day, no matter how you slice it! For "safer", don't go on the "Sky Walk", but around the back/south side on the path. ALL trails have some challenges!
@@vtboomer Thank you for that information.
@@vtboomer so bit confused. Would I start at roaring camp ground -Helom T-pamola- chimney peak- to knofes edge - south peak -MntK-from there I would have to get back to original camp ground that I started at or is there a shuttle at the camp ground - if I go via saddle trail it would be longer route then cutting through cathedral Trail to chimney pond camp ground. Wow. Need help on a path.
@@vtboomer or are you saying - Helen trail -pamola- knifes edge -to saddle - Baxter peak-then splits to abol or trail. Which is less strenuous?
@@NBay_ To do a Loop, start at Roaring Brook Campground. Take the Helon Taylor Trail to Pamola; take the Knife Edge Trail to Baxter Peak; descend the Saddle Trail down to Chimney Pond; and finish on the Chimney Pond Trail back to Roaring Brook.
How long did it take ? The entire Knife edge trail? the video length is about 30 mins
+Maloy Halder While I show the whole trail, I don't show every step. In good conditions, I would plan for 1 to 1.5 hours, because there are very few easy steps along the way (Pamola to Baxter Peak, which is the direction I recommend). In my first video, under foggy, windy conditions from halfway, the time was more like 2 hours.
Thanks. What kind of boots and clothing would you recommend for this hike?
+Maloy Halder Hiking boots or shoes only, with soles in good condition. If you're considering hiking it soon, I would watch the weather conditions Very Carefully! A violent snowstorm is possible at this time of the year, certainly a hypothermia-inducing, driving rainstorm--so all dri-fit and wool underlayers, thermal layers, and rain-proof outer layer, knit hat, and gloves--don't underestimate! Bottom Line: I wouldn't go up there if the weather is going to be bad--there's NO Shelter--ask the Ranger!
+Maloy Halder Remember, also, that it will take At Least an additional 30 minutes to descend from Baxter to a point Below Tree Line on the Saddle Trail--in difficult conditions, plan on One Hour.
The plan was for 10th. Not sure now with the storm coming this way. When do snow storm starts in this area?
Oh F that!!!
That's part of why I put my videos on--so people can decide if they want to do it, or "That's not for me!"(and that's OK, too!).
+vtboomer I'm so afraid of heights! I couldn't even enjoy checking out the Hoover Dam when I visited a few years back.
Is the section at 15:57 the shadiest section?
It’s certainly the most dangerous, if you CHOOSE to walk on the cliff side, which I’m calling the Sky Walk-but you can instead walk on the OPPOSITE, SOUTH side of that peak, which is a regular path. Otherwise, and even still, the climbing in the Chimney is the crux, the hardest part.
There's a section at the very start of the knife's edge where you litteraly have to climb down and up again (the path becomes ridiculously steep, looks not like a trail at all). It is very tricky to do if you are not comfortable with it.
Right, that's the part called the Chimney, the hardest part.
Do you have a death wish ? i get the creeps just watching the video !
It's not as bad as it looks.