BAXTER STATE PARK, Maine — A hiker who became exhausted while descending a steep and rocky ridge of Mount Katahdin on Saturday night was assisted by a search and rescue team Sunday morning.
Chet Rubackis, 68, of Winter Harbor was coming down Hunt Trail in Baxter State Park late Saturday when he became tired, according to a press release issued by Baxter State Park Director Jensen Bissell.
Rubackis’ hiking companion notified the on-duty ranger at Katahdin Stream Campground early Sunday morning.
Park staff assembled a search team and hiked to Rubackis at about 8:30 a.m.
Rubackis was located at an elevation of 3,600 feet, approximately three miles from Park Tote Road at Katahdin Stream Campground, the release stated.
After assessing Rubackis’ condition, a litter team began the evacuation at about 12:30 p.m.
Details of Rubackis’ condition were not immediately available.
The evacuation team included over 40 rescuers from groups including Baxter Park Rangers, Maine Forest Service and Maine Game Wardens, as well as Mount Desert Island, Lincoln, Wilderness and Mahoosic Search and Rescue teams.
The evacuation in the steep and rugged terrain required technical use of ropes in some areas and is expected to be completed later Sunday or early Monday, according to the release.
Baxter State Park officials said safety is the responsibility of hikers and to be prepared for their trip.
A Katahdin hike is one of the most strenuous day hikes in New England, according to park officials.
People with medical concerns, or who aren’t physically active, are encouraged to prepare carefully for a Katahdin hike.
For hiking information, call 731-5140 or visit www.baxterstateparkauthority.com.
Too bad the weather was so crappy. Would have been nice to have the forest service fly them out. Must be brutal carrying somebody all that way. Hoping it turns out okay for that guy and the rescuers.
Going up Hunt many years ago I was astounded at least 4 times when I thought I was reaching the plateau only to face another long upward ridge of rock boulders. The climb down seemed equally endless as I experienced a fierce waxing desire for level ground without relief until about half a mile outside the campground. Since then I have always stayed on top when I finally got there.
What do you mean “always stayed on top when I finally get there”? I have not climbed Hunt myself, so I am honestly asking…. I would assume by your comment that maybe there is an area to camp overnight and then hike back down the next day?
The plateau has many good places to bivouac but even in 1965 it was against regulations to camp overnight up there without a special permit so we’d do a traverse from Chimney Pond to Avalanche but get there a day late (Back then we could go to the ranger station in Millinocket and get a campsite for the next day usually. Many times we would just show up, climb and go home after.) Imagine what it was like climbing Cathedral with a full pack! Sunrise could be awesome but always chilly too. Back in those days we could practically run down the Avalanche Trail pack and all. We never left anything on the trail and packed out a lot of lost trash as well. We used to make some pocket money hauling 60 pounds of candy bars up to Chimney Pond! I’m afraid it would be the marshmallow load for me these days. Last I heard you can’t build a fire at Chimney Pond, guess it was the good old days. Good luck if you go for it but don’t try climbing down in the dark!
What does that have to do with the article?
WHY? Do They Hike Further then their capabilities???? Thats so foolish to me….Do the hikers realize the danger they put other people in when they have to be rescued????this is Crazy!! C’mon people your Adults, think before you act!!
Years ago, I did Katahdin with a couple friends of mine and I was not in shape, I did not know what to expect and I did it in old basketball sneakers. If memory serves me, we hiked up to Chimney Pond, then up Cathedral and down the trail that goes through the rock slide. It was grueling to say the least and my knees and feet hurt for a week.
I still remember laughing at other hikers in the morning who had walking sticks and lots of…you know actual gear? Ahh, my stupid youth…
have you ever hiked Katahdin? have you ever pushed your limits?
I can imagine no hell greater than living on an earth where one was not allowed to push their limits.
It’s irresponsible to push your limits when doing so puts others in danger.
I can promise you one thing: Nick Carter would be on my side of this discussion.
There seems to be something wrong with your question mark key.
Funny how the simple things have you confused….
It is easy to overestimate your strength when doing anything. I’m sure this hiker didn’t go out there knowing there’s no way he could make the hike. He probably thought he could do it, but was unfortunately wrong. Yes of course you need to think before you do such a rigorous hike, but we’re all human. We make mistakes, misjudge, underestimate, and overestimate. You also can’t judge entirely from this article. It’s possible that he had made the hike in the past, so he figured he could do it again.
I have a tremendous amount of respect for all of the rescuers and anyone involved in any type of rescue. I’m sure Mr. Rubackis will learn from his mistake and be sure not to attempt the same hike unless he is absolutely sure he can make it.
That is my opinion!
Please take your rant elsewhere and don’t hijack the thread.
Don’t you censor the thread. Theses are AT stories and show how tough we can be. That’s just a rattle to warn those who would ruin Maine resources, like Katahdin.
Girly-Man
http://tinyurl.com/7br4ebk
I’m saying you should be waltzed into a padded cell.
lol. OK. Maybe. You are right. I am very passionate about protecting the Western Maine mountains, lakes and wilderness. I’m sure many have noticed. But, then again, hey! Why not throw you energies into putting the people who legalize killing eagles to support a useless industry behind bars?
protecting people from renewable resources? brilliant.
The only thing renewable about wind energy is the subsidies.
ridiculous, vacuous reply.
Mafia Today
http://tinyurl.com/6o3pwco
in your own words please.
All we get from wind for energy is diminishing returns on our investments from taxes and electric rates. Wind does not belong on the same table with a viable renewable energy resources…. It is a reliable renewable energy resource drain. (and a viable Mafia target).
I respectfully disagree. We need to invest in renewables. I fully support my tax dollars going towards all the subsidies in the world necessary to reduce our dependency on oil.
Tell me MaineHiker….do you not *know* that oil is subsidized via lowered tax rates? So why can’t we subsidize wind but we can subsidize roads and oil? Where do you make the moral distinction?
(Let me guess). You own a car and drive on roads (as we all do) but are offended by windmills in your landscapes.
good guess.
pretty selfish point of view considering our neighbors on the Gulf Coast are still suffering from the oil spill, that fellow Western Mainers breath CO2 from car exhaust, and we keep fighting wars in the name of oil.
NIMBY is just selfish.
So, will you go out on a date with me?
i do love a man with a sense of humor who loves the outdoors…so yes, i will.
;)
Meet Me at Horns Pond atop Bigelow mountain 7/6/12. You won’t need a bathing suit.
sense of humor: check
loves the outdoors: check
gentleman: eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeh.
#3 is a deal breaker. have a nice hike.
I like you.
yes
and I’m offended by NIMBYs hiding behind economic equity and using the “mafia” to scare people away from renewable energy.
The Mafia is not fantastical.
is this article going to prove that wind is not ‘renewable’?
I doubt it. More likely, it’s a rant about subsidies. Big freaking deal. You can’t buy a gallon of milk, put gas in your car, or drive down the road without a subsidy of one kind of another.
You are a nasty Mafiosi Moll! Ignore, belittle and explain away the facts about all the affairs surrounding the subsidies. Not very good at it, thankfully.
so dinner is off, then?
It sure is amazing how fast the rangers can form a rescue team. Great job to everyone involved!
mafia? baaaaaaaaa!
http://tinyurl.com/6o3pwco
Since you can not use your own words to capsulize the article you are referencing, I assume that you don’t have a grasp of the subject matter.
Let alone, its a cop out re: discussion.
Worked on hunt rail 3 years. I always pre checked all hikers to prevent a rescue of this nature. One thing for sure. Baxter and maine rescue are the best in new england.