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View Full Version : Katahdin Summit Sign Replacement 7/25/09



Papa Bear
07-28-2009, 15:00
http://www.huiyengchang.com/hike/09baxterworktrip/slides/IMG_9317.jpg

Here's a first person narrative of this once every 10 years event which took place last Saturday: Sign replacement link (http://www.viewsfromthetop.com/forums/showthread.php?p=286225#post286225)

Here's some photos of same: Photos (http://www.huiyengchang.com/hike/09baxterworktrip/)

Enjoy. Don't you wish you were there?

sheepdog
07-28-2009, 15:10
I wonder if they replaced it every year and sold the old one on e-bay, if it would be a money maker for the trail.

Jeff
07-28-2009, 16:16
Great photo...thanks for posting!!!!!!

Pages
07-28-2009, 16:29
that is SO COOL!

just looked at all the pictures.

such a beautiful place and such a worthwhile endeavor.

thanks for sharing, papa bear.

TV

Papa Bear
07-28-2009, 16:40
Just to clarify, it's not my report (alas, I wasn't there) but something that showed up on my hiking forum a day or so ago.

jersey joe
07-28-2009, 17:09
Thanks for sharing. It is a wonder they don't have to change the sign more often. It takes a lot of abuse up there!

Chaco Taco
07-28-2009, 17:11
I wonder if they replaced it every year and sold the old one on e-bay, if it would be a money maker for the trail.
Oh boy not this topic again!:rolleyes:

Lone Wolf
07-28-2009, 17:12
i'd like to be the first to carve my initials in it

Chaco Taco
07-28-2009, 17:12
Hey great shot of the sign. Coming up on our 1 year anniversary of our summit and not a day goes by that I dont miss it all. What a great day when i touched that sign.

Montana
07-28-2009, 22:23
I'll second that Chaco.

- Hare

Tinker
07-28-2009, 22:59
Just when I think I have something personal on Big K, they replace it with plain vanilla - oh well!

STICK
07-28-2009, 23:25
Awsome.....one day I too will be there.....

Monster13
07-29-2009, 08:55
Hehe...can you imagine the look on the faces of the thru hikers that make it through but haven't heard about the new sign? What a surprise!

fredmugs
07-29-2009, 11:24
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xlwA0n3d0-8/SEdKfDes2oI/AAAAAAAAA88/MqhZGlfrhN4/s720/Katahdin.JPG

That sign went to crap in the last 4 years. Here's a Aug 2005 shot.

Sorry - you knew somebody was going to post an old phot.

Homer&Marje
07-29-2009, 12:14
Sign might have gone to crap...good to see the fog was fine after 4 years:D

Ramble~On
07-29-2009, 14:07
:sun I can wait to get there! I look forward to that day but I'm in no hurry. We're in Palmerton today and this might end up being my second zero here. Whovever finishes first....goes home first! Thanks for sharing this though...it motivates me to go to the hotel and get another beer!:D

Chaco Taco
07-30-2009, 20:25
:sun I can wait to get there! I look forward to that day but I'm in no hurry. We're in Palmerton today and this might end up being my second zero here. Whovever finishes first....goes home first! Thanks for sharing this though...it motivates me to go to the hotel and get another beer!:D

No doubt, the best is yet to come. We hit the brakes when we hit Vermont. Good Luck Ramble.

sheepdog
07-30-2009, 20:30
i'd like to be the first to carve my initials in it
cubby 08???

Lone Wolf
07-30-2009, 20:37
LW forever

sheepdog
07-30-2009, 21:02
LW forever
Might add to the ebay resale value:-?

Chaco Taco
07-30-2009, 22:15
LW forever

What about LW hearts BJ?

Homer&Marje
07-31-2009, 06:47
What about LW hearts BJ's from Chaco?


I don't know if the sign mods will allow that:D

mudhead
07-31-2009, 06:48
Am I the only one who found a certain charm in the old beat up sign?

Lone Wolf
07-31-2009, 07:32
nothing charming about signs

Chenango
07-31-2009, 08:45
Here is a picture of the sign from a section hike I did in 1974.

(Working on getting the picture in here)

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/C:\Documents and Settings\AE0574\My Documents\My Pictures\1999 and earlier\PVP on Katahdin in 1974.jpg

kayak karl
07-31-2009, 08:50
Here is a picture of the sign from a section hike I did in 1974.

(Working on getting the picture in here)

http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/C:%5CDocuments%20and%20Settings%5CAE0574%5CMy%20Do cuments%5CMy%20Pictures%5C1999%20and%20earlier%5CP VP%20on%20Katahdin%20in%201974.jpg
you really need to work on your computer skills:Dhttp://whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/files/1/5/4/4/8/pvp_on_katahdin_in_1974.jpg

Homer&Marje
07-31-2009, 09:25
Aren't jeans and flannel illegal on Katahdin now?:D You'd at least be subject to UL'ers ridicule...hell they don't even like cotton socks:rolleyes:

mudhead
07-31-2009, 11:53
nothing charming about signs

Grumpy lupus.

There is one at the Maine border, says thanks for visiting.

Wicked charming.

Bare Bear
07-31-2009, 13:01
Who stole the sharks tooth?

mudhead
07-31-2009, 13:55
Aren't jeans and flannel illegal on Katahdin now?:D You'd at least be subject to UL'ers ridicule...hell they don't even like cotton socks:rolleyes:

Usually see it at least once a year. I figure they got up there, so they must be 1/2 OK.

soad
07-31-2009, 15:13
While the old sign is four pieces of wood bolted together, the new one looks to be just one piece (at least as far as I can tell, I can't see any horizontal lines in the new one) Is the new one still wood? I kinda looks plastic or a composite material to me...hopefully I'm wrong....

cavscout
07-31-2009, 17:03
http://www.huiyengchang.com/hike/09baxterworktrip/slides/IMG_9317.jpg


http://lh4.ggpht.com/_xlwA0n3d0-8/SEdKfDes2oI/AAAAAAAAA88/MqhZGlfrhN4/s720/Katahdin.JPG



Very interesting, thanks for posting. Note the mileage changes.

Footslogger
08-01-2009, 09:14
Wow ...the old one was really showing its age. Glad I got to see it 3 times before it was replaced (2001, 2003 and 2007).

'Slogger

Jan LiteShoe
08-01-2009, 10:21
Wow ...the old one was really showing its age. Glad I got to see it 3 times before it was replaced (2001, 2003 and 2007).

'Slogger

Had my grateful lip prints on it...
:banana

Chaco Taco
08-01-2009, 19:27
I just hope they put it somewhere cool so I can go see it again!

Lone Wolf
08-01-2009, 21:01
so walkin' the whole AT is all about a sign?

Chaco Taco
08-01-2009, 21:30
so walkin' the whole AT is all about a sign?

Hell yea it is. :D and certificates:D and patches:D

mudhead
08-02-2009, 06:36
Wow ...the old one was really showing its age. Glad I got to see it 3 times before it was replaced (2001, 2003 and 2007).

'Slogger

Good to see you are still passing gas. Winter out there yet?

weary
08-02-2009, 21:32
While the old sign is four pieces of wood bolted together, the new one looks to be just one piece (at least as far as I can tell, I can't see any horizontal lines in the new one) Is the new one still wood? I kinda looks plastic or a composite material to me...hopefully I'm wrong....
Lester Kenway, former trails supervisor at Baxter, reports:

'Saturday, July 25 was a special day on Katahdin. 17 volunteers from throughout New England, and even one from Florida, gathered at Chimney Pond at 9:30 in the morning to carry a new summit sign and framework up the Saddle Trail to Baxter Peak. Temperatures were mild, wind was light from the Northwest, and we were treated to about 15 minutes of sunshine before spending all day in the fog on the mountain.

"Baxter Park Trail Supervisor Paul Sannicandro was on hand for organizing and guiding the group up Katahdin. Everyone pitched in to distribute the 6 timbers, 4 cedar planks, the new summit sign, tools and hardware among the volunteers. It was a great group of people, with only a few members of MATC or the Friends of Baxter State Park in attendance.

"Preparation for this event had been going on for several months. I volunteered to make the new sign in November of last year; I was subsequently volunteered to orchestrate the installation as well. The sign was made from 4 pieces of white pine that were laminated and reinforced with 2”x 6” back braces. The sign is stained dark brown with white letters and weighs 27 pounds.

"Paul and I prefabricated the sign frame in February. We cut, mitered, planed, and predrilled the unit and assembled it at the BSP shop. Over the winter I applied a water seal finish and double checked the assembly. It is the same “saw horse” design that Steve Clark invented in the 1960’s. The old frame had been in place since John Neff’s crew installed it in 1977. It held up very well.

"Elsa (Lester's wife) hiked with me on Friday night as I packed the sign to Chimney Pond in preparation for the work trip on Saturday. It rained heavily and things got dark early, making for an interesting trip. We experimented with umbrellas which worked surprisingly well. It was very nice not to need to wear a raincoat while hiking up the trail in the rain. We finally got to Chimney Pond about 9:00 PM and made ourselves very comfortable at the crew camp where Ranger Tom Bell had a fire going to dry us out. Mac ‘n Cheese with hot dogs and peas never tasted better!"

Those who have been reading this thread know the rest, so I won't repeat it.

Weary

emerald
08-02-2009, 23:17
Thank you for your post. Wish I'd been able to participate.

jeepcj258
08-02-2009, 23:44
Very Cool!!

Chenango
08-03-2009, 12:02
Aren't jeans and flannel illegal on Katahdin now?:D You'd at least be subject to UL'ers ridicule...hell they don't even like cotton socks:rolleyes:

Not much available in the way of synthetics in 1974. I guess I could have worn a polyester leisure suit!! :eek:

jersey joe
08-03-2009, 13:06
so walkin' the whole AT is all about a sign?
To many, the sign on Katahdin is a symbol of a completed thru hike.

Jan LiteShoe
08-03-2009, 13:08
To many, the sign on Katahdin is a symbol of a completed thru hike.

Yes. And he knows that.
:sun

Different Socks
08-06-2009, 09:06
Perhaps MATC will put up the sign with more accurate mileage to Springer?

weary
08-06-2009, 13:03
Perhaps MATC will put up the sign with more accurate mileage to Springer?
Maybe, maybe not. We are all volunteers with limited time and energy doing a massive job.

For instance, next weekend, August 15 and 16 Walkinhome, a White Blaze regular and MATC guide book editor, is seeking volunteers to fold 70,000 maps and insert them into a new edition of the Maine guide to the Appalachian Trail. 10,000 copies have been printed. Each needs the 7 maps that cover the Maine trail folded and inserted. The work will be done in Augusta.

I'm sure Ray would welcome any help White Blazers within commuting distance can offer. It'll be a long weekend. For more detailed information call Ray at 207 892-2600. Or better, email him at
[email protected]

Weary

weary
08-06-2009, 13:11
Perhaps MATC will put up the sign with more accurate mileage to Springer?
The photos of the sign that began this thread say it is 2,178.3 miles to Springer. Do you have a more precise measurement?

Weary

WalkinHome
08-06-2009, 21:27
Don't wish to scare anyone away so I will correct Bob and say that the 70,000 maps have been folded by the printer LOL. The main (Maine?) event is to collate the book with the 7 maps and place in a bag then in boxes for shipment to ATC.

emerald
08-06-2009, 21:35
Are you not anticipating an abundance of Mainetainers?

WalkinHome
08-07-2009, 17:06
Hoping would be a better word to use - last time it was in April, not prime hiking time so we had a crowd and cranked it out in one weekend. This is August so the demands (vacations, maintenance etc) are greater. I am praying for rain LOL. But, that is how the inventory crumbles.

emerald
08-13-2009, 14:34
How did the the project go?

WalkinHome
08-18-2009, 16:29
The book packing party for the 15th edition, held by the MATC this past weekend was a success. Started out kind of lean (volunteer-wise) on Saturday but even then cranked out a respectable 4,000 guides to go to ATC. Was starting to get worried when I asked our V.P. to make a call to our President and he did and also called our Club Coordinator and they put out an appeal and Sunday the cavalry arrived. We finished the 10,086 guides by 3:30. Now I get to hibernate for the next 5 or so years. And you guys thought is was all glamour and wallowing in the mud!!! Now I just have to create an ad for our web page, and something a bit exciting to me, an experiment-I will let you whiteblazers in on advanced notice. I had the printers provide me with 25 of each of our maps 1-7 NOT folded. I intend to price out mailing tubes and postage and come up with a price and offer them on our website ONLY-matc.org. Won't happen right away but will be keenly interested to see if they move. Might be a good gift to frame for maintainers, monitors, hikers or just anyone with an interest in the Maine portion of the AT. When (if?) they are gone, that is it for 5-6 years. Will see. Thank Emerald for getting this post out of me.

emerald
08-18-2009, 16:37
I see you moved the big sign to the top of the pile once again too!:)