Date: 2013-07-24
From: Millinocket, Maine

To: Mt Katahdin, Maine
Miles today: 5.2

Today is the big day for THE BIG MOUNTAIN, Mt Katahdin. I look forward to it with anticipation and, perhaps, a little dread. You can see this monster for 50 miles before you get to it. Needless to say, it looks ominous.As I tread up the approach trail on a cool, sunless day, I quickly realize this is a new ball game. Within a few hundred yards, the rock scrambles are becoming nearly vertical. The climbing is slow and challenging and each step seems tougher than the last. As the altitude gets higher, the temperature gets lower. I pass Katahdin Falls and am getting closer to the tree line. The sun breaks through the clouds but it's only momentary. It seems that I signed on for hiking. And, here I am mountain climbing and rock climbing. Well, it's too late for second thoughts now. I am committed!After nearly two hours of climbing, I break out above the tree line and the wind is noticably stronger and colder. I look up an all I can see are huge boulders, some as large as houses, and the cold, treeless, hard, stone mountain. The peak is shrouded in clouds. Negotiating my way up this mountain requires 100% of my mental and physical resources. Stepping across every crevasse and climbing every cliff must be clearly thought out before I take the step. This level of rock climbing is new to me and I must make good decisions. When hiking, we usually have four points of contact, our feet and trekking poles. On this mountain, I find myself on my hands and knees, my belly, my butt and occasionally, it seems that all points are in contact with the mountain at once. But, some how, some way, onward and upward I go. I pass a middle aged man and a group of young adults. Several of them are struggling and look very apprehensive. I understand. The middle aged man asks me if I have experience at this. I tell him no, not at this level. He looks very concerned.Then, about an hour from the summit, the weather changes...for the worse. It begins to rain and the fog/clouds envelope us. I wish the folks good luck and forge ahead of them. With the strong winds, it is literally raining sideways. Some of the young stud climbers pass me going down after a successful summit. The look of triumph is evident on their faces. On this day, they measured up against Katahdin. They were proud and they should be. As I approach within a few hundred yards or so of the summit, the steepness recedes but it is still slow going because of the big rocks which are now wet and slippery. Visibility becomes less and less as I near the apex of the peak. Although I can't see them yet, I can hear the cheers and jubilation of the hikers meeting at the summit. I know I have made it now and it is such a good feeling. Not a feeling of victory because no one ever conquers Mt Katahdin. But, just a good warm feeling that I survived and achieved my goal on this day. Several of the climbers, including the man who asked me about my experience and several in his group, did not summit and were turned away by this mountain. After greetings, hugs, congratulations and pictures, it was time to make our descent. Descending down a mountain like this is usually more treacherous than the ascent. Although it took me longer to descend, I reached the base of the mountain drained and dreary physically but, still flying high mentally. And, the sun was shining brightly and that always makes things better, doesn't it? The end of a good day in Maine!Adios for now,Sandman69