Date: 2005-08-10
From: The Birches Campsite at Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin at 5367 feet
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: scattered clouds

We got up as scheduled and made some coffee eating our breakfast in the pitch dark blackness. The other two hikers, Snowdog and Overhill, left The Birches Campsite before us in their efforts also to catch the sunrise.We dropped off our backpacks at the Ranger Station and picked up day backs to carry just food, water, and some warm clothing in case the weather turned bad on top of the mountain. This turned out to be a great move as we had no idea the weather was going to change during our hike up the mountain.The climb up Katahdin started with picturesque Katahdin Stream along side that turned into Katahdin Falls. A beautiful thing. The climb was steep, but I expected this to be the most difficult test of my hiking endeavor this summer.The climb continued below treeline, but it became a path full of large boulders that had to be climbed over, around, under, and squezzed by.This boulder path continued for a long, long, long time.We reached a granite wall that started above treeline and this was the first time I became a little concerned. I'm not crazy about heights, but when the trail has metal hand rails enbedded in the rock to hold on to over cliffs it definitely got my attention of what was to come. Did I mention the wind was now blowing about 35/40 mph as we made our assent.After what seemed to be an eternity of technical rock climbing I thought we had reached the top only to observe this incredibile rise up a steep rock summit at least a 1000 feet high I still had to climb. I was not a happy hiker!The climb up this vertical summit was actually easier than it looked, but still a workout to say the least.When we finally reached the top I was really glad that part was over. We took a long needed break. Next we had to traverse a plateau of boulders up to the summit of Mt. Katahdin. The more we walked up we could see the summit was shrouded in mist with the wind still howling.After a mile or so we reached the summit of Mt. Katahdin. It was barely visible through the mist. A view I've seen in many a photographs of the famous mountain sign. We took the normal photos as well as some video from a camcorder I lugged up the mountain. After all the usual photos we headed back down; however, decided to climb down via a different route. We chose to try the down route of Abol Campgrown. A boulder field sliding down from the top of Mt. Katahdin.The climb down Abol was one for the record books. It was shorter, but technically the rocks and gravel made for a slippery and scary journey down the mountain. We made it with only a few minor mishaps or should I say bumps and bruises. However, we would pay in the days to come as the journey up and down the mountain inflicted enough wear and tear on our knees and legs to cause significant swelling.After several hours we made it back to the road where the Ranger Toby just happened to pick us up and give us a ride back to Katahdin Stream Campground.We waited at the campsite for Tom Pike to pick us up and drive us out of Baxter State park and back to Monson, Maine where we would take a much deserved zero day after completing the 100 Mile Wilderness.Glad that was done and over. What a ride!!!!!!!!!Photos forthcoming!NedHamara@pocketmail.comNed Hamarawww.TrailJournals.com/NedHamara