MILLINOCKET, Maine — A 59-year-old man from Missouri was transported from Chimney Pond today after spending more than 60 hours on Mount Katahdin.
Baxter State Park officials said the man left Katahdin Stream Thursday morning to climb via the Hunt Trail and begin his southbound Appalachian Trail attempt. He spent Thursday night on the mountain, summited late in the day on Friday, and spent Friday night near the tree line.
On Saturday morning near the Saddle Trail, a group of hikers including an EMT, members of the Mahoosuc Mountain Rescue Team, and Baxter Park Rangers, helped the man make it down to Chimney Pond Ranger Station.
They made it to the station around midnight Saturday night, officials said. The man was treated for dehydration and preexisting injuries and monitored overnight.
On Sunday morning, the Maine Forest Service took the man by helicopter to the Millinocket Airport. The Millinocket Fire Department then took the man to Millinocket Regional Hospital for further treatment.
"We are grateful to work with the Maine Forest Service and their professional staff," said park director Eben Sypitkowski in a release. "Without their assistance, this may have been a litter carry involving 25 to 50 people for more than 15 more hours to safely deliver this hiker to the roadside."
Officials remind hikers that a Katahdin hike is one of the most strenuous day hikes in New England. The summit is only the halfway point up the hike, and officials say everyone should have a turnaround time and stick to it.
