Date: 2006-08-22
From: Birches Campsite at Katahdin Strem

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: broken clouds

I could always count on Dodger - he woke me up at 4:15. I wanted to get up early so we could be at the summit before too many others came up and I also wanted to get down before the rain showers set in. I left my pack at the headquarters. This was one mountain my pack wasn't going to see. I brought with me the brain of the pack and within it the most necessary items such as food, water, clothing, and a couple of summit items. At the HQ there are lots of small day packs that hikers can borrow but my brain can be converted into a day pack so I took my own. I signed in at the foot of Mt Katahdin at 5:15. It was still dark but with dawn coming fast it was no longer pitch black. Dodger, Bare Bear, and I started out on the 10.4 mi morning stroll with a little "hump" of 4000ft elevation gain up to Baxter Peak - you know, just the usuall before breakfast Some use coffee while others use steep mountain trails to wake up. The first mile up to Katahdin Stream Falls was relatively flat and very easy to walk. The falls were beautiful and the water was so incredible clear. As easy the first mile had been the next three made up for that in a bad way. The trail was steep now and full of rocks almost like walking up to the Franconia Ridge from the notch. I was glad I had left the hiking poles behind because many times I needed both hands free to climb up over big boulders. The higher up we went the colder it got and the wind got stronger. A couple of places rebars had been drilled into the rocks to allow for passage over and down huge boulders and still you had to be careful. I was now standing right below the last peak, aka "The Gate", before reaching the one mile long plateau that leads to Baxter Peak. I had to stop and put on two layers of clothing plus my hat and gloves I was getting really cold as the wind gusted by with the clouds. One of the wind gusts almost knocked Dodger over. We were walking on a very steep narrow edge and it would be dangerous if any one of us fell. To prevent the wind from blowing us over we had to bend over a lot and use both hands and feet at all times, never stand up straight as you are most vulnerable at that point. We reached the Gate safely. The Gate is where the climbing stops and a long flat plateau leads you by the famous Thoreau Spring. It is so named as Henry David Thoreau climbed this mountain too. I could barely believe my eyes just a little further up was Baxter Peak. The physical goal of this journey. My thoughts wandered back to the couple I had encontered at Mt Lafayette in the White Mountains. I had overhead them argue loudly and fervently about whether it was all about the journey or reaching the summit. There was no doubt in my heart - it is all about the journey, the summit is just the icing on the cake. If only the summit mattered how could I then have enjoyed all the moments along the trail that took my breath away? once again I stopped to allow myself to enjoy the moment. Itried to take in all the details of the surroundings I didn't want to forget anything. It was as if I desperately tried to grasp hold on the mountains, if I let go the journey would be over. Please, don't let me forget any of these views or the feeling of being up here in the mountains. The rocks reminded me of PA, the plateau, reminded me of the landscape at Gryson highlands just north of Damascus VA, the alpine vegetation and the magnificent mountains reminded me of the Whites in NH. So many memories. I had arrived at the end. I was standing on top of Baxter Peak of Mt Katahdin at 5,268'. Touching the summit sign I just couldn't comprehend that this was the end of a journey I had started Jan 7th, 2006 and because of all the help, support, and motivation from family, friends, trail angels, trailjournal readers, hikers, and other strangers I had succesfully reached the goal. I was a strange feeling should I cry, laugh, jump, or sit down? I wanted to do it all. Krystal, Eagle Eye, and Conductor reached the summit while I was standing there not knowing what to do. It was awesome to see them go through the same emotions as I knew exactly how they felt. Seing them touch the sign made all the feelings overwhelm me once again - pride, happiness, and a sense of accomplishment all mixed with sadness. We took a lot of summit photos before we sat down for a snack to calm down a little. There are several trails leading up to this peak, one of them is the Knife Edge. It is a steep narrow trail that follows the rocky ridge up to the peak. It certainly had an element of danger to it especially in gusting winds. Hmm, better take the AT down again since my pack is there. Just as I started walking down from the summit the clouds came rolling in and before I had gone 0.2 miles everything was enveloped in a thick fog. I love the mystic scenery that fog can create. With Dodger, Eagle Eye, Conductor, and Krystal at my side the trip down went by fast. We had fun talking and helping each other. just below the Gate going down one of the huge boulders with a rebar I ran into Bear Bait as he was on his way up. I hadn't seen him for a long time. We exchanged congratulations and photos and then I headed down again this time a little faster as the dark clouds had started moving in. A couple miles further down I had to stop to take off all the clothing and put on shorts and t-shirt again. the temperature difference is certainly noticeable when you gain or loose elevation so fast. At exactly 13:15 I stood at the little kiosk with sore knees and signed out after having spent 8 hrs on Mt Katahdin. After getting our packs Dodger and i stuck out our thumbs on the dirt road and hitched a ride into Millinocket. The couple that picked us up where avid outdoor people too and they had climbed Mt Katahdin a couple of times. They took Dodger to the the Econolodge and gave me a ride to the Post Office where a couple of packages where awaiting. Back at the hotel I suddenly realized I had left my wallet on the backseat in the car but the couple had already left! Oh ohh! The moment you get off the trail you start relaxing and then you forget stuff. Hopefully they would call the hotel upon finding the wallet or at least mail it to the address on the driver's licence. I opened the surprise box, which was from friends in Lexington, KY. It had a bottle of good Merlot, a cork screw (very thoughtful), cheese crackers, snacks, and a card. Dodger and I shared several toasts to the trail angels, the trail, and future hikes. That wine was so good what a celebration. Whats for dinner? You won't believe it but we actually had homemade tuna fish sandwiches, cheese, bread and wine- and I loved it. After several showers, doing laundry, and repacking a little I fell asleep underneath a clean cotton blanket in a soft bed dreaming of mountains.