BANGOR DAILY NEWS • June 4, 2025
Katahdin is the crown jewel of the Maine outdoors. It looms large over the landscape, towering over the vast stretches of forest and lakes of the North Woods. Hikers from all over come to test their mettle on Maine’s highest peak, the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Once again, the mountain has become the stage for a tragedy as old as storytelling itself: us versus nature. Over the years, more than 60 people have died on Katahdin. It’s a reminder that the reward of summiting Katahdin is matched only by the peril that haunts every hike, waiting for a seemingly inconsequential mistake or momentary blunder to manifest it.