extended expanse the mountain rises, not at first abruptly, but 

 for miles by moderate gradations up to approximately one-half 

 its altitude, about 2,200 feet on the south side, and 2,900 feet 

 on the east. To the East Branch of the Penobscot, 23 miles due 

 east, there is from the South basin a gradient of more than 100 

 feet to the mile. From this gradual rise the upper half of the 

 mountain rears itself abruptly, bounded by bare, precipitous 

 cliffs and steep declivities sustaining vegetation. 



These sharp declivities and precipitous walls terminate above 

 in a narrow ridge or crest which bears the highest peaks and 

 gives the mountain its general outline. From the lower slopes 

 of this crest the various spurs arise. In shape the crest presents 

 a striking resemblance to a gigantic fish hook with its bowl open- 

 ing to the northeast. The shank, formed by the crest of the 

 North mountain and the Northern ridge, curves strongly toward 

 the northeast. The bowl and barb are represented by the Great 

 Basin and Pomola respectively. 



Along the southern base of the bowl, upon the peak-bearing 

 crest, arise the two chief prominences of Ktaadn. They are less 

 than 500 yards apart and differ in altitude some 15 or 

 20 feet. The two peaks are known respectively as the East and 

 West peaks, the latter being the higher with an altitude of 5,215 

 feet, as determined by Prof. Fernald. 1 "Directly beneath the 



1. Fernald, M. C. Bangor Daily Whig and Courier, November 9, 1894. 



east peak (5,200 feet), shoots off to the southeast the longest of 

 all the spurs, (the southeast spur) which, narrow above, widens 

 greatly toward its foot." Beyond the peaks, a narrow much 

 serrated crest, the outer limb of our hook, swings shortly north- 

 ward forming toward its point, "first, the little tower-like peak 

 'known as the 'Chimney,' and then, across a narrow, square-cut 

 notch, the peak, Pomola/' 



Pomola (4,819 feet) has a wide, convex northern face sloping 

 off gradually with a precipitous foot to the floor of the south 

 basin 1,900 feet below. In subsequent reference to Pomola this 

 entire eastern limb of the mountain is to be understood. "East- 

 ward from Pomola projects a narrow sharp ridged spur, the 

 'Horseback.' Towards its extremity, the 'Horseback' forks, 

 and sends off to the northeast a lower, flat-backed spur." On 

 the southern flank of this "Horseback" is the east slide. 



