Date: 2003-09-03
From: Katahdin Stream

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

Comments of previous year AT hikers. "An adventure like this never ends. It does not simply end at the terminus of the trail. Even though you leave the trail physically, you never leave mentally - books, articles, media presentations, conversations, etc, all bring you back." " Every March, when the days begin to lengthen and to warm, I get a case of Springer fever." "While I haven't been back to the AT, I hike it practically every day in my mind." "If I meet anyone who is thinking about hiking the AT, I will tell them - Do it! You will be given more than you could ever imagine, receive it with gratitude. You will meet extraordinary people. Travel light."    1996 AT hikers: Crazy Toes, Merlin, Cat in the Hat, Pony Express  "Rainy Days make the sunny days so much more incredible."  2003 AT Hiker and friend - Goldberry"               Destination: Summit Mt. Katahdin!! Awake at 3:30 AM and out of bed by 4:30. Needed an early start! A BIG hill to climb. Got to Baxter by 6 and began hiking at 6:38 AM in the dark. The first few miles were pretty easy, just an uphill climb. Met a group of nice folks also hiking up, not thru hikers though. I have hoped to summit with someone I had hiked with previously during the past 5 1/2 months. I hit the tree line and the hike got very different - suddenly I was climbing over huge boulders the size of cars and houses - pulling myself up and over these huge chunks of granite. There were a few points where I didn't think I could do it, but my pig headed determination got my butt up and over and I was still moving. The metal hand holds were a little disconcerting, but again, the next thing I knew was I'm up, over and still moving. Climbed up a long line of boulders and just as I'm taking a little break, here comes Tucson, Homerun, Suds and Dharma Bum -excellent! They continued on after big but brief hellos. Cool! I had hiked with all of them in the Smokies. I would indeed summit with somone I knew. I reached the tableland and had a mile to go. Passed Thoreau Spring and saw what I thought was the summit. It looked so far away. As I continued I realized the summit was much closer when I saw the group near the sign on the peak. The adrenaline and emotion started to overpower me and I was moving fast - almost running. I got very emotional thinking about all the wonderful people I have met along the way, how this was my last day and the next thing I knew I was crying as I was approached the summit. Suds and Tuscon yelled "Molasses" and there I was, standing next to the sign on top of Mt. Katahdin. I was very emotional, very vaklempt! I had made it! I have been thinking of this moment for so long and finally, I was here! I had to sit a minute and collect myself. A few minutes later I was passing out cigaretes to anyone who wanted one. I posed for my pictures, took several others, ate some, drank some and chatted then it was time to start down! It was a gorgeous day and it was difficult to leave, but leave I did. All the way across the tableland I kept looking back to the summit. It was beautiful.! At the time the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. Going up I kept thinking how the hell am I gonna get down...actually, I was quite concerned about getting down but I made it. It wasn't as hard as I thought but I did get a few scrapes on my legs and at 5:17 pm I hit the bottom. My folks were waiting with champagne and shrimp! Awesome!! peace and positivity,MolassesNote from editor Molasses Dad: We have many undeveloped pictures to put on Trailjournals, including those she took on the summit, which we will add during the next week. Maybe even another page or two also.