Appalachian Mountains: (1) Mt. Katahdin. On 4 July 1948 Albertine Parker (about 25), a member of a large party, fell while she was trying to pass the first (lowest) chockstone in the Chimney route on Mt. Katahdin. She sustained a badly fractured left ankle and lacerations about the face and arms. The party, which was apparently not very experienced, was not using a rope. Rescuers were hampered by a large and treacherous snow field, which they avoided, and below it by boulders and bushes. Evacuation was completed six hours after the accident.

Sources of information: Appalachia, XXVII (December 1948), 240; and letter from H. J. Dyer, Supervisor of Baxter State Park.

Analysis. The Chimney route on Katahdin, though not extremely difficult, is yet difficult enough to warrant the conclusion that only experienced persons should attempt it. This was a case of an inadequately prepared person attempting something beyond her ability.