Date: 2005-09-19
From: Katahdin Stream Campground / Millinocket

To: Baxter Peak, Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

Red Wing's version of the big day:   It was like Christmas morning only I wasn't wearing a pair of new pajamas and instead of celebrating our Savior's birth we were excited to bag that last peak. Alright, so it wasn't so much like Christmas, but it had a similar feel. We awoke with adrenaline that even my morning lethargy couldn't overcome. Our hearts were beating fast as years worth of anticipation was about to end in a matter of hours. This was not "just another day on the trail," this was SUMMIT DAY! We rolled out of bed, put our raunchy hiking uniforms on for the last time, poured ourselves some coffee, ate from the continental breakfast (gladly forgoing the traditional oatmeal), and drove into Baxter State Park for the day hike that will wrap up this journey.   Previous days have had poorer weather than today, as we drove to the park the clouds were beginning to break and we could see blue skies. We posed for photos, signed in at the ranger station, posed for photos, hugged parents as we left the parking lot, and than posed for photos as the three of us (One Way, Hopeful, and I) started up the mountain. It felt good to be on our way. I knew we were walking way too fast to keep up our pace or even to reserve any energy for later, but adrenaline is an energy resource that doesn't like being denied. First mile, flat, nearly jogged. Mile two was nice, up hill, getting a little rocky, but full of streams and waterfalls that made you forget that you're starting to work. Miles three and four, they are a different story altogether. It is said that Mahoosac Notch it the toughest mile on the trail. Obviously this quote is from someone who got knocked off the trail shortly thereafter. Anyone who has climbed Katahdin knows that there are atleast two consecutive miles on Big K. that make the Notch look like a walk in the park. The majority of Katahdin's 4,000 ft. elevation gain come in these miles. Bare rocks, larger than cars, not laying for us to walk around, over, or under, but laying one on top of the other for 2 miles. We often had to jump to get a hand hold, swing our bodies to position ourselves for foot holds, and continually pull ourselves up the mountain. Mile number five is the best. It flattens back out and now in the clouds, we would only occasionally get a glimps of Baxter Peak. For 20 minutes, we all but danced our way across the "Tablelands" as we finally made it to the summit. At the top there were always about 10 other people as groups came and went. The clouds sometimes broke, providing a view of the other summits around us. Emotionally, it hadn't really hit me. We did it. That felt good. It may take a few weeks before the reality that it's over becomes more apparent. While on top, the winds became strong (20-30mph??) and blew us around as we tried to take our pictures. It was quite a strong reminder of where we were and what a different environment we had reached.The hike down was just as challenging as our hike up. This time there was no need to lift our bodies, we just had to overcome the fears of walking down a ten foot drop. In all, it took about 3 hours to get back down. At the bottom were loving parents, champagne, and a picnic for the 3 of us. What a day. Katahdin is no doubt the mountain to finish this kind of journey by summiting. The experience of hiking it with Hopeful and the culmination of our summer's time together is something that will impact our marriage forever.Hopeful's version of the big day:    SUMMIT DAY! We woke up and immediately opened the shades to see what would appear. Our eyes met the sun rising and mostly clear skies. I was given over to the fact that we probably wouldn't see much on our way up and down the big mountain, so the break in the cloudy, rainy weather seemed like and extra special gift. It was fun to share the aniticipation with One Way. While we've been dreaming about Katahdin for almost six months, he's been dreaming about it since he began his first section hike ten years ago.   We packed our packs lightly (we did not intend to lug the tent, our camp stove, fuel bottle or a few other unecessary items to the top). Our taxi parents took us to the trail head at Katahdin Stream Campground. The plush conversion van, the means of transport, was quite cozy for all seven... Red Wing and me, my parents, my in-laws and One Way.   We signed in at 8:45 AM, along with Nomega, who we met at the base. Our parents started out with, but the adrenaline soon pushed us well ahead, only to pause at the Katahdin Stream Falls, and to marvel at the clearness of the water. The sun was shining as we hiked. The first mile we almost ran. Then we started to go up. At first the rocks were small, the height of odd shaped steps. They grew larger and larger as we approached treeline. The distance to the top is 5.2 miles, and almost half the distance is above treeline. This can be very hairy and down right dangerous in poor weather. We were more thankful than ever to be able to see the tops of a few peaks around us, yet Baxter Peak (the top to which we were headed) remained hidden in the clouds. Each morning, Baxter State Park declares a Class I, II, III or IV day, Class I being a great day to climb, Class IV being all trails up the mountain are closed. Ours was a Class II day, bordering I at times, and for a few minutes on our descent we wondered if it bordered on Class III.   The mile or so of huge bolders was the toughest. We had to use our whole bodies to scale many of them, and I added several scapes and cuts to the impressive collection on my legs and knees. We moved slowly and about when I wondered if I could stomach any more precarious positions, we emerged onto the tablelands. This is basically a level area, gradually sloping upwards to the actual peak. We followed this about a mile, anticipation growing. Thoreau spring was clear, cool and tasty along the way. No need to filter water here, it's as good as it gets. Once the Baxter Peak sign came into view, with several climbers mingling around it, I got a surge of energy and raced ahead to touch it. I've seen hundreds of pictures of hikers by that very sign, and now it was my turn to have mine taken. We took turns with One Way to take as many shots as we could think of, and we took a deep breath, had a snack and sat up top for about an hour, enjoying it all. There were moments when the clouds cleared and the sky was a beautiful blue. We had a view of the Knife's edge, a trail down the other side.    We stayed until we started to get a little bit cold, and then turned to begin the descent. Red Wing kept saying that once we got down, it would really be over. I was really thankful that we had such supportive parents waiting to celebrate with us. In fact, they cheered as we reentered the parking lot, and had brought some champagne for the occasion. I have lots to think about, and I'm not sure what else to say right now. I'm officially a thru-hiker. The end is bittersweet.