A couple of points First relief maps typically employ a significant vertical exaggeration so they re not good indicators of the actual abruptness of a slope Admittedly Katahdin does rise quite steeply Second it s nowhere near the tallest in the Appalachiansthere are five taller mountains in New Hampshire three in Virginia forty three or so in Tennessee and more than fifty in North Carolina Admittedly Katahdin is by far the tallest mountain in Maine My proposed wording From the low lake country to the south and east Katahdin s abrupt slopes and great vertical prominence dominate the landscape 65 213 77 129