Come camp with Kindling in Baxter State Park and hike Mt. Katahdin in queer community! We'll backpack up to Chimney Pond on Friday night and hike the rest of the mountain on Saturday. As Katahdin is a sacred mountain for Wabanaki people, participants will engage in cultural pre-learning and discussions/activities to learn about the mountain's history and significance and to reflect on action steps they might take to be in right relationship with the land and people of so-called Maine. Proceeds from this event will benefit a Wabanaki-led organization. This very challenging hike is for active people who engage in regular vigorous activity. Expect 3800 feet of elevation gain over 10.4 miles, including scrambling over rocks.

Experience Required: None

Draft Itinerary:

Day 1: Meet up with the group at Roaring Brook Campground. Review personal gear, distribute group gear, and hike about 3.3 miles to our campsite. Set up camp, cook dinner, connect as a group, and learn more about the cultural and spiritual significance of Katahdin. Sleep in tents.

Day 2: Wake up, eat breakfast as a group, pack up gear, and head off with daypacks on the trail. Snacks and lunch on trail. Hike up towards the summit. Return to camp at Chimney Pond. Downtime relaxing, reading, writing, and/or connecting as a group. Cook dinner together and then sleep in tents.

Day 3: Wake up and cook breakfast. Hit the trail and hike 3 miles out to the parking lot. Debrief on trail; lunch and wrap up at the parking lot by 3pm.