Fatpacking

The Northern Terminus of the legendary 2175-mile long Appalachian National Scenic Trail is Mt. Katahdin, which is also the highest summit in the state of Maine. Just before the mountain is the most remote, untamed part of the Appalachian Trail, the so-called the 100 Mile Wilderness.

Unlike other parts of the AT, there are no towns, no roads, no services, and no resupply, just pure unadulterated wilderness full of moose, black bears, beavers, spruce trees, swimmable pristine alpine lakes, miles of luscious blueberries, rocky outcroppings, carniverous pitcher plants and berry bogs. At night we'll be able to relax by the campfire and meet a panopoly of anecdote laden thru-hikers completing their many month long journeys.

If you've ever wanted to experience true wilderness in America, this is a trip that you'll never forget. Why not join us this summer, get in shape and lose weight (or more accurately, improve body composition)?

This trip will run from August 10-26, 2011. Here is the proposed itinerary.

We will begin our hike in the small town of Monson, ME. We will then traverse 100 miles of pure wilderness, summitting Barren Mountain, Chairback Mountain, Hay Mountain and Whitecap Mountain. We will also traverse Rainbow Ledges and Gulf Hagas - the Grand Canyon of Maine.

After the 100 miles, the trip will culminate in a day hike up to the summit of 5267' Mt. Katahdin, the highest peak in Maine and the terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Optionally, you can accent your final ascent with a harrowing traverse across the famed Knife's Edge, with sweeping views and thousand foot dropoffs on either side.

Steve Silberberg, lives in Hull, MA and has many years of backpacking experience over a variety of terrains and guides most Fatpacking trips. He is a SOLO certified Wilderness First Responder, Leave No Trace Trainer, and Certified Food Handler.

Jeff Wagner lives in Roswell, GA and thru-hiked the entire Appalachian Trail in 2008 (Trail Name: Jukebox). He guided the 2010 Shenandoah National Park, the 2011 100 Mile Wilderness and the 2011 AT Primer Fatpacking trips.

Here is a list of equipment we suggest you bring. The list is extensive and can seem daunting, but please don't let this deter you from the trip. You can rent top notch quality gear for reasonable prices from Lower Gear. It may also be possible for us to provide some gear for you at a nominal fee if you let us know far ahead of the trip. Unfortunately, we're not in the gear business so the selection of our available inventory is unpredictable. Please feel free to discuss any gear with us before the trip.

We don't believe in austere eating regimens. Backpacking is a rigorous, rewarding activity. You must feed your body in order for it perform. Your body will dictate that you eat often. It's important to have fuel to feed it. See what we have planned to eat. Note that this is not necessarily a comprehensive list. If you want to bring a 5 pound chocolate cake, go for it. After carrying it 120 miles through the mountains, your body will reject the empty calories and prefer nutritious food.

$1750 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Bangor, ME (BGR) as well as personal equipment, and any restaurant meals.

Covered expenses include 2 nights in a hotel, 15 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.

Fatpacking is on an ongoing quest to expand its selection of trip destinations. As such, this is the very first time we are offering a trip to . Even though they are seasoned backpackers, the guides for this trip may NOT have previously backpacked these particular trails.

Many intrepid participants are excited by pioneering new routes, but others don't feel as comfortable with this and may prefer a more established, predictable trip. Experience guiding a certain destination can make things run smoother, but do not underestimate the decades of backpacking experience that our guides possess which permeate every other aspect of the trip in order to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.