Date: 2011-08-03
From: Katahdin Spring Campsite

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

Since the weather was just grey and not miserable, and, since the Park Rangers were allowing hikers to go up to Katahdin, that is exactly what we did. We really had no idea what we were getting ourselves into other than it was going to be our biggest climb yet. A total elevation gain of 4188 feet over 5.2 miles. There are several trails leading to the top, but the traditional path is known as the Hunt Trail and is the official path designated for the A.T.The hike started out as expected, we gradually started to climb along Katahdin Stream. We then crossed over the stream at Katahdin Stream Falls and started to climb more steeply. This continued for about an hour as the trail became more and more rugged. That is, rocks in the trail the size of basketballs turned into rocks the size of VW Bugs.So we scrambled up and over them and moved slowly up the mountain.Gradually the trees got shorter and shorter and eventually gave way to just huge rocks. This area is known as The Hunt Spur. It was plain scary. Hiking poles were useless and a liability. Fast Forward ditched her Moses staff because both hands were needed to safely move up the trail. There were metals bars fastened to the rock to help you hoist yourself up. It was quite a workout. Finally, after an hour of hair raising maneuvers we reached The Gateway, which was no more than a small flat patch before the climb resumed. We were now on this very narrow ridge of sharp rocks. You really couldn't see much more than 50 yards ahead because of the clouds and fog. In fact, it started to rain making the rocks slippery. This stretch lasted about a mile before we reached The Tableland. Here the trail flattened out and the ridge became quite wide. The rain stopped but we were still walking in the fog. We started to pass hikers who had already reached the summit and were now headed down the mountain. First came the Mufundi Hospital group who hiked the entire trail this year from Georgia to raise funds for a new hospital in Mufundi, Tanzania. A great group of guys we have gotten to know during our travels in the 100 Mile Wilderness. Then, out of nowhere, came Challenger. We had last seen him in Monson but he caught a float plane off of Pemadumcook Lake and landed right outside of Baxter State Park. From there it was just another mile up a gradual trail to the summit. And there it was, through the fog, the very familiar sign marking the northern terminus of the trail, depicted on the cover of my trail guide and on the poster given to me by my good friend Rob. I had been imaging this moment for years, over and over again as I hiked the trail north. And finally, I was there. It didn't seem real. I walked up and purposely touched the sign with my hand and I knew my dream had come true and the hike was over. Emotion ran over me like a freight train. I really can't explain it, but it took me several minutes to regain my composure. Fast Forward, Firefly, her husband Thirty Plus, and I celebrated with a bottle of champagne. We toasted our successful venture. And, of course, we took all the traditional photographs of us standing by the sign with our arms raised in victory. It was truly a joyous occasion.After we settled down, we got some warm clothes on and ate some lunch. Finally, we decided it was time to begin the long descent down. The Tableland portion was really nice because the sun came out and lit up the surrounding valleys. There really is nothing around Katahdin that compares in size and grandeur. The views were quite dramatic. Clouds rolling over the mountains and through the valleys. And huge lakes and forests as far as the eye could see. Going down the narrow ridge and The Hunt Spur turned out to be easier than it was going up. We still had to take it slow, but we managed to get down safely. All in all it took us four hours to climb Katahdin and a little less to get down. An all day affair.Tonight we celebrated with Challenger, Firefly, and Thirty Plus over dinner and several beers. The ice cream for dessert wasn't bad either. Such a satisfying day.Tomorrow we will officially complete the hike with a short 10 mile hike from Abol Bridge to Katahdin Stream. It should be an easy, peaceful, and reflective walk through the Maine woods.