Date: 2006-10-03
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Summit of Katahdin Mountain
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept well considering it was the last night I would have on the trail. I thought I would be more restless but slept came easily. I stayed in the shelter with the 4 Dirty Old Men. We reminisced about the past months on the trail. Fall has arrived, the color of the leaves show it, and the temperature feels it as well. It is time to complete this journey.We awake shortly before sunrise, packing what is needed for the day hike to and back from the summit. The ranger stops by and advises the day will be a Class II weather day. That means only partly cloudy and little wind. Class III means no hiking above tree line, and class IV means all trails are closed. And class I of course means perfect. He specifically tells us, by the time we summit you should have near class I conditions. We are all of course elated to hear this prediction. It could be the last really good weather day of the season. By 7:20 I begin my walk. I wear my usual attire, shorts, a long sleeve shirt, then a short sleeve on top of that, and my gloves. Today I also wear my rain jacket. The temp is probably high 40¢s now. I pack only the basics for a day hike; lunch, first aid kit, water, and headlamp. I also throw in my rain pants, and my down jacket. I haven¢t hiked in either the entire trip. I use them only for around the camp at night, but I wanted to be prepared in case there was wind at the summit. I knew I would be there for a while taking pictures.The trail began easily, slowly gaining elevation. Initially the trail was smooth and wide. I slowly became narrower, with more rocks. Eventually within almost 2 miles I was nearing tree line and the obstacles became larger. I still made good time. I pressed on ahead of others. I wanted to take this last opportunity for solitude. I knew the summit would be crowded. The partly cloudy skies that started the day and that were expected to melt away to clear skies hung around and eventually became completely cloudy. Hmmm??? Where is my class I day? Luckily the clouds were high clouds, blocking out the sun only. I still had view across the valley and they were spectacular. Shear granite cliffs of 500 or more feet. A mile away I could see a waterfall spilling off a cliff for hundreds of feet. Rugged, steep mountains were all around. I wondered if man had ever walked in some of these forbidding spots. Below in the valley to my East were miles and miles of flat land with so many lakes of different sizes. I could see now why it took so long to cover the wilderness area I had traveled over the past week. There is simply was no way to walk the area in any way resembling a straight path. The valley floor was filled with yellow, red and orange from the maple, and birch trees. As I climbed beyond tree line it was no longer hiking. It was climbing. After over 2000 miles when I thought there was no other challenge that could be presented, I find myself reaching and stretching for finger holds and toe holds I plan my route. If I place my foot here, then I can reach this crevice to get a good hand hold here, then I can stretch my free leg over to this ledge, but I must keep my center of gravity here. Occasionally there are spots where rebar has been drilled into the face of the rock to provide a hand or foothold when no other natural one is available. All during this time I can¢t help but stop and look at the unbelievable beauty that surrounds me. Once again when I thought there were no other mountain views that could stun me I find these in Maine.But still the clouds remain; the wind now blows strong above tree line. I put my rain jacket on. I had taken it and my short sleeve shirt off below tree line to prevent me from sweating. I was comfortable now. My hands were only a bit chilly. This was due to grabbing the sometimes wet rocks. My hiking poles were hanging from my wrists as they were of no help on this climbing stuff I was encountering now.After 2 and a half hours I arrive at the portion of the mountain called the table top. I have completed the hand over hand climbing and now must walk another mile and a half over this exposed rock strewn area. There probably is only another 300 or so feet of elevation to gain, but it will be hard earned as well stepping on, over and around various boulders. The wind now is howling. It is difficult to walk without leaning hard into the side blowing wind, and now it is beginning to rain. Only a mist to start, in fact I first thought is it was just granite dirt particles hitting me, but I noticed my jacket was getting damp. If I had much more than a mile to go I would have to begin consider turning back. Clearly someone somewhere had missed the forecast completely. I would estimate the wind at 35 mph and the true temp still in the 40s. My gloves were wet and my hands were cold. Other than that I was ok, but I didn¢t want to experience this all wet. It was simply too windy to stop and put on my rain pants. I feared they would blow away before I could get them on. As I traveled northward I began to encounter southbound hikers that had summited and were rushing down the mountain. Their eyes express both the elation of reaching the summit and the determination of getting down out of the wind. We exchange brief congratulations and continue on, they to celebrate their accomplishment, and I to complete my journey. As the summit and the sign come into view a flood of emotion begins to build. It is indescribable in words. It surprised me. I stopped within 50 yards to calm myself. There are other hikers upon the summit, hanging around the sign. I preferred to have all my composure when I arrived. After a few deep breathes I finish the last steps slowly. The sign marking the Northern terminus of the 2174 mile Appalachian Trail I had walked towards for 6 months was nearly within my touch. For 188 days I had taken a sabbatical from the real world. Was I ready for it to end; was I better for it, had I learned from it? All these thoughts and so many others rushed through my mind.With one last step I reach for and touch it. Like electricity flowing, the touch of that sign completes a circuit and the flood of emotion returns. I can¢t breathe, I tremble and feel weak. I walk a few steps away and sit on a rock and let out what I cannot hold within. I sit with my face in my hands for minutes. I look out over the magnificent God blessed mountains and regain my composure. Fellow hikers Lone star and Black Snake are at the summit as well. We exchange hugs, and handshakes. We each take our place in front of the sign to have the customary photo taken. After about 15 minutes or so on the top with the wind still blowing I know I will soon need to get moving again to stay warm. I take a few more minutes to eat a few snacks, drink some water and put on my down jacket and rain pants. Over the horizon I see a heavy rain cloud headed this way so I begin the 5.2 mile trip back to the campground. Realistically I know this is the first step on the beginning of my new journey back to life AFTER the trail. I am both happy to have succeeded and sad to see this adventure ending. I am both excited at the unknown future and scared as well.The trip down is still filled with some tension. The granite rocks are now wet. The rain becomes steady. It is more than s sprinkle but thankfully not a full fledged downpour. The wind though is still strong. I now lean to my right as I step down and around the rocks. I return to the steep part of the mountain to begin the part you know I hate the worst, the downhill. My solution is in my opinion very logical. In any area where I have any sense of hesitation at stepping or reaching down to the next level I simply slide on my butt. Rain pants be damned! All during my trip I had avoided what I called butt scrubbing because I had only one pair of shorts to wear, and if I destroyed them there would be nothing between me and the Maine fall weather. But now I would rather sacrifice the seat of my rain pants than spent anymore time then absolutely necessary on this mountain.   Fortunately the descent goes smoothly and the rain subsides just before I reach tree line. I take off my down jacket and finish the last 2 miles of my walk to the campground. The journey really will end there. It feels like the longest 2 miles of the trip, like waiting for Christmas morning. I reach camp at about 3:15 pm. Lone star¢s brother is there to pick her and Black Snake up. I am able to secure a ride with them back to civilization. And just like that it is over, all now to be a memory. If you all will allow me a couple weeks to decompress, I will post a concluding entry of my final thoughts of the trail.Thanks,Clay