It rained hard the day before. We didn't anticipate that the weather was going to change so when we woke to clearing skies and cold temps, we couldn't get out of the cabin fast enough. This route leads directly to the summit of Baxter Peak. Marc looked really calm leading the thin crux pitch. A couple more classic gully pitches and we topped out in the afternoon sun. A wonderful day in a dramatic setting.
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TELEPHOTO OF THE DIRECT EAST FACE ROUTE, SOUTH BASIN, BAXTER PEAK, KATAHDIN, ME
MARK CHAUVIN APPROACHING THE BIG NORTHEAST FACE OF BAXTER PEAK KATAHDIN, ME
MARK CHAUVIN CLIMBING EAST FACE SNOWFIELDS ON THE FIRST ASCENT OF THE 'CHAUVIN-COLE' ROUTE, KATAHDIN, BAXTER STATE PARK, MAINE
MARK CHAUVIN AT THE BASE OF THE HEADWALL ON THE DIRECT EAST FACE ROUTE AT KATAHDIN, BAXTER STATE PARK, ME
MARK CHAUVIN LEADING THE CRUX PITCH ON THE FA OF THE 'CHAUVIN-COLE' ROUTE, KATAHDIN, BAXTER STATE PARK, MAINE
MARK BELAYING AFTER THE CRUX ON THE FA OF THE DIRECT EAST FACE AT KATAHDIN IN BAXTER STATE PARK, MAINE
MARK STARTING PITCH 3 ON THE 'CHAUVIN-COLE' ROUTE, KATAHDIN, ME
MARK CLIMBING IN THE UPPER COULOIR ON THE FA OF THE DIRECT EAST FACE AT KATAHDIN, BAXTER STATE PARK, MAINE
MARK AT THE TOP OF THE DIRECT EAST FACE OF BAXTER PEAK, KATAHDIN, BAXTER STATE PARK, MAINE
MARK LOOKING BACK AS WE START THE DESCENT
LATE AFTERNOON LIGHT ON THE TOPS OF PAMOLA AND CHIMNEY PEAKS AT KATAHDIN, BAXTER STATE PARK, MAINE