Katahdin in May?

I left New England decades ago, don't get back much, so I've no good idea of what Katahdin conditions might typically be in mid-May.
Comments welcome. The fundamental question is of course how likely the need would be for winter gear on one of the plain vanilla routes up Baxter Peak--enough snow/ice remaining to present difficulties, require axe and crampons?

Alan Nagel wrote:I left New England decades ago, don't get back much, so I've no good idea of what Katahdin conditions might typically be in mid-May. Comments welcome. The fundamental question is of course how likely the need would be for winter gear on one of the plain vanilla routes up Baxter Peak--enough snow/ice remaining to present difficulties, require axe and crampons?

In may it'll be entirely weather dependent, especially if it's early may. Typically in early may there's still ice and snow.

Your best bet would be to call the park service before the trip to see what the conditions are -

baxterstateparkauthority.co…

It's definitely not predictable enough to plan around.

Have a great trip!