Jeff Hunnewell and his niece Nikki Coutts may have made Maine hiking history last week. They climbed all fourteen of Maine's four-thousand foot mountain peaks in four days. They know of no one who has summitted all of Maine's four-thousand footers so quickly.
Both agree the trip was physically demanding. They originally thought they would do it in a week, but started planning and thought they might accomplish their mission in just five days. As thinks went well along the trail, they were able to do it in four.
"We enjoyed it, we had a good time," said Jeff. However, he thought the trip was more than he bargained for. "It's a very good way to get hurt hiking tired, hiking exhausted. These are tough terrain places.
The duo started in western Maine and climbed Old Speck, Saddleback and The Horn on Saddleback.
Day two was by far the most difficult as they climbed six peaks in the Sugarloaf area including Sugarloaf, Redington, Abraham, Crocker, Crocker South and Spaulding.
On the third day they climbed Bigelow's Avery and West Peaks before heading for Baxter State Park where they had to get through the gates by 8:30 p. m.
They made it. After camping at Baxter, they struck off for North Brother at four in the morning. They then came back down and drove over to Abol for their final climb up Katahdin to Baxter and Hamlin peaks. They got off of Katahdin in dimming light, but in plenty of time.
"It was almost dark," said Jeff. "We made it down without the headlamps. We were thrilled with that."
Jeff and Nikki agree that the trip was more than they bargained for. Nikki's left knee took a pounding that will require rest. Jeff's feet were so badly blistered that he bound them in duct tape, "It really worked well," he said. "The worst part was taking it off. I'm still working on it."
Neither Jeff or Nikki will try the trip again. Nikki said, "I enjoy hiking and I want to see the nature and this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I will never do it again."
Jeff thought the physical demand made the trip more dangerous. As they headed up Katahdin, several climbers were coming down because of clouds, wet and snowy trails, and low visibility. Jeff and Nikki went on and were greeted by sunny skies at the top. However, a different weather pattern could have put them in a dangerous situation.
Jeff and Nikki are looking forward to more leisurely hikes in the future secure in knowing that they made Maine hiking history.