Date: 2003-09-30
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak, Mount Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Katahdin is AWESOME!!!    What can I say? We did it. We summitted on 9/30, just as we had hoped.   "Base Camp" (Katahdin Stream Campground) was so cool last night. It was our last chance to camp with other thru-hikers. We were invited to a cook-out by one hiker who's parents had come all the way from Florida to celebrate their son's achievement. OFF and Rubberband Man were there and we saw Gazelle and her hiking partner, too. Cornpatch and his sweet wife, Jane also joined the party. Tedd and some of his buds were in camp, too. Tiger Lilly arrived around 8:30 to hike with us and Sean-O's sons, Chris and Mark came up from Massachusetts. We made plans to start our ascent around 8:00 am.    The day was perfect: clear, cool and breezy. Everyone was so excited. We got our day packs ready and packed the rest of our stuff for the last time. We watched as the other hikers headed out in small groups. To our surprise, Mello Yellow, Lightwalker, Hepcat, Radar and Kodiack pulled into the parking lot. We thought they had gone up yesterday, so it was great to see them.    Chris, Mark and their friends Keith and Dave arrived with coffee for us. Then, it was our turn. Everyone was laughing and joking as we headed out. The first part of the trail is flat and easy. Our "civilians" were thinking, "piece of cake!" It wasn't long, however, before they changed their tune    The trail was so pretty. It follows Katahdin Stream with some waterfalls for a little while. There were some birds (I believe gray jays) that followed us up the trail. Bump and Tiger Lilly got them to eat right out of their hands. It was just a great start to the day. It wasn't long after reaching treeline that the rock climbing began. And climbing there was!   The rocks were pretty impressive and there were even a couple of rebars. I, for one, was very relieved when we finally got to the top of the scramble. We stopped for a snack and to congratulate some of the hikers already heading down. They warned us that it was really cold on top. We had already put on our jackets, rainpants, hats and gloves! I'm glad it was sunny!   Then, it was on to the summit and the long-awaited sign officially marking the end of our journey. We waited for everyone to catch up so we could summit together. It was so amazing! Mark had carried a bottle of champagne all the way to the top for the celebration! We laughed, we cried, we whooped and yelled. It was by far, one of the best days of my life.   Thank you so much to my family for their love, support and belief in me. Sara, Mike and Austin, thanks for your help with the journal entries and the pictures, the goodie boxes, and for letting me hide-out when I needed a break. Mat, Marci, Marcus, Niki and Little Zack, thanks for the kick-off party and the cards along the way. Marcus, thanks for staying with me when I came home the first time. Mat, thanks for coming to get us! Zac and Tasha, thanks for taking care of the house, the bills, Nana and the mail drops. Zac, thanks for driving all over the place to resupply us and to take us back to the trail when I needed to go back. Dad, thanks for coming out and hiking with us in Virginia. Linda and Vickie, thanks for believing in me and not letting me quit. Luis, thanks for the loving and encouraging words. Erica, thanks for helping with Mom. Mom, thanks for giving me my die-hard genes and stubborn streak! Brenda, I'm so glad you came back to summit with me. It would not have been the same without you. I love you all so much. I never would have made it without you. To my friends and journal fans, thanks for all the kind thoughts and words of support all along the way. Judy and Kristen, I love you guys    Most of all, Jim (Bump) thank you, my love, for always believing in me, supporting me and for helping me make my dream come true. I love you.Sassafras