Date: 2008-08-04
From: The Birches

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.1
Weather: light rain

From: The BirchesTo: Mt. KatahdinToday's Mileage: 5.2 (really 10.4 you have to climb down!)Total Mileage: 2175Miles to Go: 0We woke to sunny blue skies and were ecstatic for the weather. We walked to the Ranger Station where we left most of the insides of out packs. We decided to use them as they have the bigger water bladders and both Recon and I like to be able to drink without stopping. We signed the register on the tree at 6:30 AM (Mofo was about 20 minutes ahead of us) and we started to climb. The first mile was wonderful along the Katahdin Stream and over a well-constructed bridge. We were going along fairly well until we hit a stream rushing down the trail. We then sort of rock hopped our way along. We took a break about the two-mile mark and then the hike turned a lot harder. As the rocks got bigger the water rushing down more and the skies turning darker I knew we were in for a long day. We finally arrived at the tree line spot and the bigger rocks started. Now I have walked this whole trail and even when some places were extremely difficult I could at least manage somehow to climb up and or down the rocks. I could not physically do this hike and if it were not for Recon, I would have had to turn back. I would think the ATC would put a few more rungs on this well traveled trail. There were ladders and rungs on many of the trails in Maine but here they were still too high for me. And so with much effort on my and Recon who had to bend her knee so I could climb up on it, push me, or pull me up we finally made it to the Tableland.The Tableland on a good day would be beautiful but today in the rain it was a lake. The water was two or three inches deep all along the trail. Mofo passed us on his way down and we told him to tell Mary Anne who was going to be waiting at the bottom we would be very late. There were many hikers up at the top even on this rainy day but by the time we reached the sign most were on their way down. And also my REI pole would not tighten back up so I had one pole the correct length and one very short pole. So pack and pole are now broken!As I got close to the Katahdin sign tears welled up in my eyes. I could not believe how emotional I was becoming the closer I got to this wonderful sign. So despite the rain, the seven hours it took me to get here and the difficulty of the climb I was overwhelmed with happiness to have arrived at the end of my journey. I know they say the journey is the destination but it feels pretty good to get to the end!!!We took pictures at the top and then the rain and wind really started and we left to trek back down this formidable mountain. At one point with the wind and rain I just stopped and said I need to eat something as I could feel myself becoming weaker. I ate my Snickers bar I was going to have at the top and we again started down. We took one rock at a time and again with Recon below me guiding my feet onto rocks we made our way down to below tree line. At one point we were in the sun watching the rain clouds move below us, it was a spectacular sight. It did that all the way down. The sun would come out and in a few more minutes a cloud would come and we would be in a driving rain. We were so wet we did not have to worry about stepping into the water and now just walked through it and in some places it was higher than my boot tops, well over my ankles. When we reached the bridge we knew we had one more easy mile to go and it was a relief to sign back in 13 hours later. I never thought it would take me that long to walk 10.4 miles. Mary Anne was actually driving up the road as we were walking down it and had talked a long time with Mofo so knew we would be late. Well my hike is over. I will put pictures up and have a few more entries about being off the trail and how that is over the next weeks.I want to take this moment to thank anyone who has helped me along the way or read my story. Every encouraging word has helped me move along to the end! And a special thanks to Mary Anne, Recon and Calamity Jane who were my helper-hiking buddies.