Date: 2005-09-15
From: Birches Campsite

To: Katahdin Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: moderate rain

Today is the day. I barely got any sleep last night. I tossed and turned all night long waiting for morning to come so I could climb Katahdin.   I was able to break down my tent and pack my belongings for the last time before the rain started. I checked in at the Ranger Station to confirm the day was going to be a mess before heading up the mountain. Although I could tell by myself with the rain already falling out side the Ranger confirmed that there was a 100% chance for rain today.   I wasn¢t too concerned despite having to climb these steep rocks up and above tree line. I only cared about one thing...finishing what I set out for 5 12 months ago. I was the first to sign in this soggy morning. When climbing Katahdin you have to sign in and then sign out when you get back down. The first couple miles weren¢t too difficult even though I had to be careful with my footing on the wet rocks. It was the middle third section that was really tough. The trail went above tree line and there were plenty of down right scary climbs up and over big boulders.I was using my arms just as much as my legs to climb this mountain. Fortunately, the rain had stopped at some point earlier but the rocks were still a little slick but not too bad. Best of all, it wasn¢t that windy. The wind could have made things very difficult above tree line on this section of very technical climbing but I got a little lucky.Even though it wasn¢t raining anymore it was still very cloudy...actually, I was right in the middle of the clouds which prevented me from seeing the peak of Katahdin even though I was on the mountain. The last third of the climb was much easier. On a normal day I am sure you could see the summit but on this day I had to continue to guess where the end was. I knew I was getting close. Finally just before 10:30AM I was able to make out the Katahdin Summit sign off in the distance. I couldn¢t believe it! I had seen this sign in pictures with people in past years that have completed this trek and now it was in sight! I wondered for quite some time how I would react and what I would do when I got there. All I will say is that I am glad I was the first on up as I had some time alone to reflect and be at the top of this great mountain and end of this great journey. I wouldn¢t have wanted it any other way.It wasn¢t more than 12 hour before others got to the finish. I cheered on and congratulated the first few before heading back down. The rain started back up for a little bit making the rocks just wet enough to make the descent extra tough. I didn¢t care too much as I knew my goal was completed. When I returned to the bottom, Stats and Mud Pumpkin greeted me. It was nice to see some friends that went thru this with me. They had just gotten in and are going to climb tomorrow. I hung out with them for a couple hours before I was able to hitch a ride to Bangor with a guy that I met a few days earlier. It was weird getting in a car and driving away. We saw one last moose and a fox as we headed out of the park. Tomorrow I will take a bus to Boston where I will meet some friends and hang out for the first time without having to get back on the trailIT¢S OVER...I DID IT!!GA>05>ME