Baxter State Park
Administrative Procedure Governing Winter Activities
Revised (1998)

The Baxter State Park Authority encourages winter use of the Park, but is vitally concerned with the safety of winter visitors. Users of the Park must comply with the Rules And Regulations of the Park. Particular reference is made to rule #2, which provides:

"Winter Season: Use of the Park during winter season is limited to those activities which are expressly authorized by these Regulations or are otherwise expressly permitted by the Authority in writing. No camping, climbing or mountain biking is permitted during the winter season except with a special use permit from the Director. Special use permits may be granted by the Director only to applicants which the Director determines are adequately equipped and competent for the particular undertaking and upon such terms and conditions as the Director determines are necessary for human safety and the protection of the Park. Applications must be received at Park Headquarters in Millinockett at least two weeks in advance.

The following explanatory statement of Rule #2 and recommendations for winter visitors shall apply to the official winter season, from December 1st to April 1st, annually.

GENERAL

1. Winter camping, technical climbing, and alpine skiing in Baxter State Park are permitted only upon receipt of a special use permit granted by the Director.
   
   
2. The leader of each winter party must request a special use permit a minimum of two weeks in advance from the Park Director by writing the reservation clerk at Park Headquarters in Millinockett, Maine. (four weeks is recommended for processing time and to avoid time conflicts with other parties.)
   
   
3. All winter party applications will need 2 alternate assistant leaders in case of cancelation. Applications which do not designate 2 assistant leaders will not be accepted.
   
   
4. Camping is permitted only in designated campgrounds and campsites approved in advance as part of the normal reservation procedure. All persons are required to register upon arrival at Chimney Pond.
   
   
5. All winter campers going to Chimney Pond will be required to stay at Roaring Brook the first night.
   
   
6. A minimum of four persons per party is required. Groups with less than the required minimum will not be permitted to stay over night in Baxter State Park. We recommend planning your trip for six members so that you can still run if one or two people need to back out late in the process.
   
   
7. Late alpine and off-road party join-ups or substitutions are not permitted unless all the following conditions are met.
   
   a. All applications have been submitted, received and approved at Millinockett Headquarters 7 days in advance of the first scheduled day of trip.
   b. Party size already inside the Park is 4, or more, persons.
   c. Two or more members of the party must meet and accompany a join-up or late arrival at the Park boundary or trailhead.
   
   
8. Any addition to the total party number after the original confirmation must be filed with the BSP reservation office with a minimum lead time of two weeks before the first day of the trip. All fees and completed forms must be in hand by the deadline or the request for a party addition will be denied.
   
   
9. A Park official may inspect equipment and supplies prior to the start of the trip. Parties not adequately equipped and competent for their intended undertaking may be delayed or refused permission to the Park.
   
   
10. All parties shall be on the trail in time to get to their camping areas before dark. NOTE: #5 above, regarding Chimney Pond reservations.
    
    
11. The Park Director reserves the right to refuse permission for proposed winter use activities by a party when necessary, in his judgment, for reasons of human safety or protection of the Park.
    
    

Winter Camping

1. The leader must supply a statement of winter camping and leadership experience and a file a written plan of the trip.
   
   
2. The following personal equipment will generally be required for winter camping:
   
   a. Snowshoes or skis in good condition and repair material.
   
   b.Good quality, insulated pacs or winter mountain boots (the latter a necessity for technical climbing).
   
   c. Good quality sleeping bag sufficient for temperature well below zero.
   
   d. One pair of dark sunglasses or snow goggles.
   
   e. One pack.
   
   f. Matches in waterproof container.
   
   g. Food enough for the trip, plus two-day emergency reserve.
   
   h. Clothing adequate for extreme winter conditions.
   
   i. Topographic map and compass.
   
   
3. The followingparty equipment will generally be required for winter camping:
   
   a. Medical kit adequate for minor injuries and first aid.
   
   b. Axe and camp saw.
   
   c. Outdoor thermometer with wind chill chart.

Technical Climbing

1. The leader must file a statement of winter climbing experience plus leadership experience. It will be the leader`s responsibility to assure that each climbing party is under the leadership of a person whose abilities are adequate for the climb planned.
   
   
2. Climbing parties must have at least two persons on a team.
   Solo climbs are not permitted. All persons will register with the Ranger/Park Volunteer at Chimney Pond before any climb or hike. All technical climbers must leave Chimney Pond by 8 A.M. on the day of a technical climb. All winter climbers utilizing know trails to climb Mt. Katahdin must leave Chimney Pond by 9 A.M.
   
   
3. The following personal equipment will generally berequiredfor technical climbing.
   
   a. The same as winter camping (above) plus:
   
   b. Ice Axe.
   
   c. Crampons.
   
   d. Helmet - required equipment for all technical climbers off marked trails above treeline of Mt. Katahdin, and all climbers using Knife Edge (Knife Edge is considered a technical climb in the winter).
   
   e. Flashlight or headlight.
   
   f. One rope per two climbers - minimum of 120-foot 3/8" (9mm) rope designed for climbing.
   
   g. One sleeping bag per two climbers for day trips.

NOTE: All Katahdin climbing parties are expected to return to Chimney Pond by 8 P.M. After 8 P.M. search and rescue procedures may be initiated. Negligent parties may be held responsible for the costs of search and rescue efforts.

Any skiing above treeline using alpine or nordic equipment or any variation thereof.

1. The leader must file a statement of alpine skiing experience as well as leadership experience. It will be the leader`s responsibility to assure that each skiing party is under the leadership of a person whose abilities are adequate for the area being skied. It will also be the leader`s responsibility to assure that qualifications of each skier are adequate for the area being skied.
   
   
2. Minimum equipment is the same as for winter camping (see above). In addition, skiers on technical terrain are encouraged to use helmets. Those who refuse are warned of potential danger of injury or death. For definition of technical route, SEE 3-D above under "Technical climbing"
   
   
3. Skiing parties have at least four people who are skiing within reasonable sight and sound of each other.
   
   
4. The leader must sign out with a Ranger for day trips and report upon return.
   
   
5. Day trip parties must carry one flashlight per person, and one first-aid kit and sleeping bag per party.
   
   
6. South Basin provides the safest and best conditions for alpine skiing opportunities.