· By Lyndsay Hupp
Huppy on Belay: Mt Katahdin via the Armadillo
By Lyndsay Hupp
The best adventures are usually the ones you haven’t put a lot of time or thought into; where the sheer desire to get after an idea overtakes the need to pick it apart into 1000 pieces. Mt Katahdin was one such adventure for me and Dane.
I arrived on Mount Desert Island (MDI), Maine last Saturday to visit my main squeeze where he works as a climbing guide for the Atlantic Climbing School based in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. Already looking forward to shaking the dust off my climbing skills, my motivation was accelerated when Dane chirped about the Armadillo Route up Mt Katahdin-a classic eastern alpine climb with an involved approach to a beautiful 5.7+ granitic crack, face, and ridge climb to Maine’s highest summit, boasting one of the most exposed pitches of climbing east of Colorado. Given my lack of time on rock and rope lately (hell, I’ve never really been a climber) I should’ve been hesitant. But… I wasn’t. I figured between his technical ability and my ability to, well, persevere, we should be able to at least give it a helluva try.
So I immersed myself in the accelerated Dane Sterba school of multi-pitch climbing refresher course nearly every afternoon that week, running through transitions, techniques, and movement. He crushed it as coach and I the attentive student, quickly feeling like we had a handle on the required skills for our mountaineering pursuit.
Great Head, Acadia NP
Otter Cliffs, Acadia NP
Otter Cliffs, Acadia NOP
Sunday was go day. We collected bits of beta from friends and Mountain Project, threw some gear, clothes and food (Huppybars!…AZT and Apple for me) in the whip Saturday morning and pointed north to Baxter State Park. Baxter is busy and all camping permits sold out this time of year, so we booked a hotel in Millinocket and prepped for an early morning start. Just before we left MDI, a number of pesky details surfaced about getting access to the trailhead: parking permit requirements (!?!), Park hours of entry restrictions, and ranger check-in time restrictions that all had potential to sandbag the trip (the things you think about when you plan ahead….). We thought fast on our feet (and phones) and snatched a cancelled camp site in the Park (thank you, nice woman who answered the Park phone), setting us up with a secured parking spot and early launch in the A.M.
We had no camping gear in the car, or the state for that matter, so we put on our America hats and went to Wally-world for some “alpine gear” to get us through the night: $45 to Subaru snuggling freedom.
We got to camp, packed packs, made dinner, made breakfast sammies, drank beer, got fired up, went to bed. 3:50 am wake up, made coffee, packed car, drove to trailhead, more coffee, map check, fist-bump, got more fired up, hiking by 5:45.
Climbing the Armadillo--an aesthetically beautiful route with moderate but fun climbing—is one thing, getting there is quite another. As with most remote summit pursuits, the approach can be the most daunting, scary, and exhausting part of the journey. Armadillo’s approach did not disappoint: 3+ hours and over 2000 vertical feet of hiking, bush-whacking, bramble rambling, gully crawling, 5th class slab scrambling, and tight, exposed ledge walking brings you to the base of the technical climb and 1000’ shy of the summit ridge. Here we happily replaced our approach shoes and mental route-finding scrambles with rock shoes, harnesses, and a clear line to the summit.
Was I nervous? Yeah, some. Anxious? Sure. Was Dane? Somewhat. We paused to harness the eye of the tiger once or twice in the approach and knew there was more to come. But, just as I tell myself above a big rapid, or a huge rappel into a deep, narrow canyon, those feelings are a huge part of why we were there at all: to push our boundaries and comfort zones--to extend ourselves and to grow. This what makes us feel alive in this world, to live deeper and love stronger.
Pitch by pitch we fell more in tune with the mountain and each other. The higher we got, the higher we were and the more beautiful everything seemed to become. Nerves eased, smiles grew more frequent, and the rest of the world fell away. We were so damn happy and having so much damn fun.
The only problem was that the route ended. We were on the Baxter summit, staring at a 12’ rock cairn, with nowhere to go but down...
What we did was no great feat in mountaineering, we didn’t dance on the edge of the sport or turn any heads with our accomplishment. Many have come before us and many will be there after us. What we DID do was dance on our own edges for a day. We drew each other’s strengths, experience, goals, and motivation and set out on an adventure for US…to try, to push, to see, and to feel. Because we love it. And that’s the point.
Share:
36 comments
-
2025 has changed my life. I never believed I would be cured by a spell caster who specializes in herbal cure and magical spells. I am talking about the help Doctor Odunga gave to me. I have been cured of herpes (HSV) which has plagued me for over 2 years. I am very happy to tell others that if you want to be cured or get your ex back spells and get pregnant naturally, even financial blessing through lottery, there is only one place to be and that is with Dr Odunga Spell Temple. Am so happy that just 3 days after taking DR ODUNGA Herbal treatments my herpes was cured permanently. DR ODUNGA also have cure to #HIV #Diabetes #Lupus #Tinnitus #Fibroid #Cancer #Hepatitis B, #Syphilis #Infertility etc … If you have this ailment or whatsoever you might be suffering from you should contact him at his EMAIL: odungaspelltemple@gmail.com OR VIA Whats App +2348167159012
Christine Davis on
-
How I Got My Ex Back with the Help of a Spell Caster +2349161779461
Hello everyone, my name is Kiara Hahn from California. I want to share my story about a powerful spell caster named Dr. Jakuta. I was heartbroken when my fiancé left me without warning, and I spent the last month feeling confused, guilty, and devastated. Desperate for help, I searched online for relationship advice and found Dr. Jakuta, who has helped many people with their relationship problems. I reached out to him, and he promised to bring my fiancé back to me within 72 hours. After following his instructions, my fiancé surprisingly showed up at my doorstep, apologized, and now we’re living happily together again. If you’re having relationship issues, you can contact Dr. Jakuta at:
Email: doctorjakutaspellcaster24@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +2349161779461KIARA HAHN on
-
How I Got My Ex Back with the Help of a Spell Caster +2349161779461
Hello everyone, my name is Kiara Hahn from California. I want to share my story about a powerful spell caster named Dr. Jakuta. I was heartbroken when my fiancé left me without warning, and I spent the last month feeling confused, guilty, and devastated. Desperate for help, I searched online for relationship advice and found Dr. Jakuta, who has helped many people with their relationship problems. I reached out to him, and he promised to bring my fiancé back to me within 72 hours. After following his instructions, my fiancé surprisingly showed up at my doorstep, apologized, and now we’re living happily together again. If you’re having relationship issues, you can contact Dr. Jakuta at:
Email: doctorjakutaspellcaster24@gmail.com
WhatsApp: +2349161779461KIARA A on
-
https://www.gamja888.com/ – 바카라사이트,카지노사이트,카지노게임사이트,온라인바카라,온라인카지노,Gamja888
https://gamja888.com/ – 퀸즈슬롯
https://gamja888.com/ – 맥스카지노
https://gamja888.com/ – 비바카지노
https://gamja888.com/ – 카지노주소
https://gamja888.com/ – 바카라추천
https://gamja888.com/ – 온라인바카라게임
https://gamja888.com/ – 안전한 바카라사이트
https://gamja888.com/ – 바카라
https://gamja888.com/ – 카지노
https://gamja888.com/ – 퀸즈슬롯 카지노
https://gamja888.com/ – 바카라게임사이트
https://gamja888.com/onlinebaccarat/ – 온라인바카라
https://gamja888.com/millionclubcasino/ – 밀리언클럽카지노
https://gamja888.com/safecasinosite/ – 안전카지노사이트
https://gamja888.com/baccaratsiterecommendation/ – 바카라사이트추천
https://gamja888.com/ourcasino/ – 우리카지노계열
https://gamja888.com/slotmachine777/ – 슬롯머신777
https://gamja888.com/royalcasinosite/ – 로얄카지노사이트
https://gamja888.com/crazyslot/ – 크레이지슬롯
https://gamja888.com/onlineblackjack/ – 온라인블랙잭
https://gamja888.com/internetroulette/ – 인터넷룰렛
https://gamja888.com/casinoverificationsite/ – 카지노검증사이트
https://gamja888.com/safebaccaratsite/ – 안전바카라사이트
https://gamja888.com/mobilebaccarat/ – 모바일바카라
https://gamja888.com/howtowin-baccarat/ – 바카라 필승법
https://gamja888.com/meritcasino/ – 메리트카지노
https://gamja888.com/baccarat-howto/ – 바카라 노하우youube.me
instagrme.com
youubbe.me
Instagrm.me
Instagrme.net
internetgame.me
instagrme.live
naverom.me
facebokom.mehttps://www.gamja888.com/ - 오카다카지노 on
-
https://www.instagrme.com/ – 바카라사이트,우리카지노,온라인바카라,카지노사이트,실시간바카라
https://instagrme.com/ – 퀸즈슬롯
https://instagrme.com/ – 바카라게임
https://instagrme.com/ – 카지노주소
https://instagrme.com/ – 온라인카지노
https://instagrme.com/ – 온라인카지노사이트
https://instagrme.com/ – 바카라게임사이트
https://instagrme.com/ – 실시간바카라사이트
https://instagrme.com/ – 바카라
https://instagrme.com/ – 카지노
https://instagrme.com/woori-casino/ – 우리카지노
https://instagrme.com/theking-casino/ – 더킹카지노
https://instagrme.com/sands-casino/ – 샌즈카지노
https://instagrme.com/yes-casino/ – 예스카지노
https://instagrme.com/coin-casino/ – 코인카지노
https://instagrme.com/thenine-casino/ – 더나인카지노
https://instagrme.com/thezone-casino/ – 더존카지노
https://instagrme.com/casino-site/ – 카지노사이트
https://instagrme.com/gold-casino/ – 골드카지노
https://instagrme.com/evolution-casino/ – 에볼루션카지노
https://instagrme.com/casino-slotgames/ – 카지노 슬롯게임
https://instagrme.com/baccarat/ – baccarat
https://instagrme.com/texas-holdem-poker/ – 텍사스 홀덤 포카
https://instagrme.com/blackjack/ – blackjackyouube.me
gamja888.com
youubbe.me
Instagrm.me
Instagrme.net
internetgame.me
instagrme.live
naverom.me
facebokom.mehttps://instagrme.com/ - 바카라사이트추천 on
-
https://www.youubbe.me/ – 카지노사이트,바카라사이트,슬롯사이트,온라인카지노,카지노주소
https://youubbe.me/ – 카지노검증사이트
https://youubbe.me/ – 안전한카지노사이트
https://youubbe.me/ – 슬롯카지노
https://youubbe.me/ – 바카라게임
https://youubbe.me/ – 카지노추천
https://youubbe.me/ – 비바카지노
https://youubbe.me/ – 퀸즈슬롯
https://youubbe.me/ – 카지노
https://youubbe.me/ – 바카라
https://youubbe.me/ – 안전한 바카라사이트
https://youubbe.me/ – 온라인슬롯
https://youubbe.me/casinosite/ – 카지노사이트
https://youubbe.me/baccarat/ – 바카라
https://youubbe.me/baccaratsite/ – 바카라사이트
https://youubbe.me/pharaoh-casino/ – 파라오카지노
https://youubbe.me/제왕카지노/ – 제왕카지노
https://youubbe.me/mgm카지노/ – mgm카지노
https://youubbe.me/theking-casino/ – 더킹카지노
https://youubbe.me/coin-casino/ – 코인카지노
https://youubbe.me/solaire-casino/ – 솔레어카지노
https://youubbe.me/casino-game/ – 카지노게임
https://youubbe.me/micro-gaming/ – 마이크로게이밍
https://youubbe.me/asia-gaming/ – 아시아게이밍
https://youubbe.me/taisan-gaming/ – 타이산게이밍
https://youubbe.me/oriental-game/ – 오리엔탈게임
https://youubbe.me/evolution-game/ – 에볼루션게임
https://youubbe.me/dragon-tiger/ – 드래곤타이거
https://youubbe.me/dream-gaming/ – 드림게이밍
https://youubbe.me/vivo-gaming/ – 비보게이밍youube.me
gamja888.com
instagrme.com
Instagrm.me
Instagrme.net
internetgame.me
instagrme.live
naverom.me
facebokom.mehttps://youubbe.me/ - 맥스카지노 쿠폰 on