Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
A winter sunrise on the upper end of the Abol Slide of Mount Katahdin.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Panoramic view of the Knife Edge, Chimney Peak and South Peak seen from Baxter Peak at the summit of Mount Katahdin.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Abol Campground in winter. This marks the end of the ski/snowmobile approach and the beginning of the approach on foot to the base of the slide.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Sign in on the book before you begin your trip. The distances on the sign are not exact, but give a good estimate of the distance.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Take the safety warnings seriously. This is not a place to go if you are inexperienced or unprepared.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Snowshoes are needed on the approach up to the slide, but the descent can be bootpacked or boot-skied.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The approach to the slide leads through thin forest, which can be skied down on the descent.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Here, the summer route continues to the left (note the blue blaze), while the winter route stays straight through the low branches. The two trails meet just a few tenths of a mile later.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The first glimpse of the mountain at around 2.4 miles! However, this isn't the summit, that's just where the Tableland begins. From there it's about 1 more mile to the summit.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
A telephoto view of the Tableland.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The base of the slide. Leave your snowshoes here and get out your crampons, ice axe, and helmet.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
From the beginning, the steep ascent up the Abol Slide is often through deep snow, and an ice axe and crampons are absolutely necessary.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The ascent is steep.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The ascent is really steep.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The slide refills with snow frequently, making it necessary to break trail through deep powder.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Great views of the surrounding Maine landscape abound on days with good weather.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The golden light of sunset illuminates the landscape south of Katahdin, filled with frozen ponds and forests. Seen from the Abol Slide.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Sunrise from Abol Slide, looking southeast towards the frozen landscape.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Sunrise from Abol Slide, at minus 12 degrees.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Above the slide, the trail becomes a rocky, snowy maze before it reaches the Tableland plateau.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The beginning of the Tableland offers the first glimpse of the summit in the distance. The windswept landscape is just as breathtaking as the cold temperatures.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The summit cairn, about a mile away, can just barely be seen.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The Tableland is subject to extremely high winds even if the weather looks "good." But despite the winds, the views are phenomenal. This view is looking west toward the smaller peaks in Baxter State Park.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The wind shapes the snow into fascinating and beautiful formations.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The wind shapes the snow into fascinating and beautiful formations.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Climbing the final summit push after the Tableland. This section is not technically challenging, but the wind chill frequently dips to minus 40 degrees and staying on the trail can be challenging, especially if visibility is poor.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The summit cairn, covered in rime ice, marks Baxter Peak, the highest of the five peaks on Mount Katahdin.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The beginning of the traverse from Baxter Peak toward South Peak in whiteout conditions.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
South Peak, seen from Baxter Peak.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
South Peak.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The view of the Knife Edge from Baxter Peak.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
The narrow Chimney Couloir is seen here descending from near Chimney Peak toward Chimney Pond. The couloir is a famously difficult ski line.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Looking back toward the Tableland from the summit.
Ethan Rambacher
Photo Date: 
03/11/2019
Descending through the Tableland. It's important to make sure not to miss the left turn at Thoreau Spring for the Abol Slide Trail—otherwise, you'll be inadvertently heading down the Appalachian Trail toward Georgia!