Date: 2010-10-03
From: Abol Pines Campground

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 9.9
Weather: overcast clouds

We all woke up within minutes of each other, leisurely packed up and headed over to the camp store for breakfast sandwiches and coffee. Peru bought a pair of plaid flannel pajama bottoms in which to summit. She's also bringing her good Turkish coffee and wants to brew a pot on top. Wild Poodle, Radar and Peru all had phone calls they wanted to make and were directed to go to the other side of Abol Bridge and stand within 3 feet of a large boulder there and they would get a signal. We all thought this was a bit of Maine humor at our expense, but it was true. They tried dozens of spots to get a cell signal and the only place they could get through was standing by the big boulder. Go figure.Glorious, clear, crisp autumn day and Katahdin BIG in our face and rarity of rarities¢cloudless! In the above picture taken from Abol Bridge, it looks like it's just over the next hill, right? WRONG--it's still 15 miles away. Big mountain. We're keeping our fingers crossed the weather will hold for our summit tomorrow.We headed out on nice trail, taking our time and enjoying the day. Walked alongside the Penobscot River for awhile and had to bushwhack a couple times to avoid high water that had come over the banks in some low spots. We crossed Abol Stream on a footbridge. This is a small little stream normally but today was high and wild.I was a little concerned about all the high water because we had two fords coming up, both of them across the Nesowadnehunk Stream. Just the loud sound of angry water should have forewarned us. When we arrived at the first ford, I think we all just stared for a moment. The water was moving unbelievably fast. It was churning and boiling and very, very ominous. It was dangerously high. Even though I'm a brave soul, I didn't hesitate to take the high water bypass route. Found out later a few hikers did try fording it. All were swept quite aways downstream and lost some gear in the process. Puma barely was able to grab onto a rock and clamber to shore before being swept over a waterfall.Travelling along the spine of the Appalachians from Georgia, I've seen amazing trees, lush ferns, riotous wildflowers, silky soft moss and forest glens that rivaled anything Hollywood could produce.   I was surprised to see the variety of alpine plants and the tenacity of the stunted, gnarled trees at tree line. Mother Nature is nothing if not adaptable. Saw a tree today that must have sprouted in a crack on top of a large boulder and is now about 30 feet high with 4' roots embracing the rock and going into the ground. Looks like the tree is sitting on the rock. Check out the photo for this date. It had me shaking my head in wonderment.We stopped at Daicey Pond and sat there for an hour just soaking it all in before doing the final mile to Katahdin Stream Campground. Maine has definitely tested me but I'm here! I made it! I can hardly believe it. We stroll into the campground and head for the ranger station to sign in. I'm northbound thru-hiker #455. Weather forecast for tomorrow is awesome with temps around 60 at altitude, light wind and sunny all day. Katahdin had been closed to hikers due to adverse weather for two days just a couple of days ago but all the backlog summited either yesterday or today.With four of us, it was less expensive to rent a lean-to than stay at the thru-hiker campsite so that's what we did. The lean-to was next to the trail so as we were setting up camp, hikers passed right by us coming back from summiting Katahdin. We saw Forest, Puma, Slightly Inappropriate, A.D., and Funk and his dad coming down. All tired and all grinning from ear to ear.We ate large tonight emptying our food bags for our last dinner on the trail. The temperature really started to plummet after sunset and we have an early day planned for tomorrow. My daughter flew into Bangor today and drove up to Millinocket. She'll meet us at the ranger station here in the morning at 6:30 so we can have a 7:00 start.   Excitement over seeing her and over tomorrow's climb didn't preclude me from seeking the warmth of my bag early and actually falling asleep. Hiking all day will do that to you.