Date: 2016-07-26
From: The Birches Lean-to

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

DONE!!!!!!!!!!I was nervous about this hike. Southnounders have been telling us for weeks how hard it is and some went as far as to say this trail shouldn't be part of our adventure because it was too hard, too technical and too dangerous. I know that they haven't hiked as far as we have and that htis was their first mountain, but the dire warnings still messed with my head. Santa was understanding at first but now he just wants me to hike it and get over this fear. I am beyond excited that Donna and Paul, friends from home, are going to hike with us. We have talked about summitting together since this crazy idea occurred to us.We spent the night in the shelter with Limbo and his wife (I can't remember her trail name at the moment). Their alarm went off at 5 and we all got up and started to get ready. It had rained all night so now wet rocks are factoring into my fears (and the thunderstorms that are predicted on the mountain). We weren't in a hurry because Donna and Paul won't be here until 6:30- that's when the gate to the park opens. They got up at 2am to make the drive to do this with us. Best friends ever!All packed up and we met Donna and Paul, put our extra gear in their car and started up the mountain. I am calming down now and talking with Donna about everything that I can think of to distract myself. She's a good sport and keeps talking to me. Beautiful trail next to a large stream. As we climb we are lost in a cloud of fog. This happens to us every time we are on a mountain with spectacular views so I am not surprised. We pass day hikers that aren't sure about hiking because of the weather reports but we need to get this done today so we continue up.It's a tricky trail with lots of boulders and some rebar to help you up the rocks. One piece of rebar is broken so I need a "butt boost" to get me up and over. It's harder for Donna because she is shorter than I am and she's hiking in a skirt. We keep up a reasonable pace and get to the top where Donna and Paul pull out devil dogs for me and a Mountain Dew for Santa. People who know how we like to celebrate! We stayed at the top taking pictures, talking about our journey and chatting with other hikers. There was only one other thru hiker, Future Dad" at the top and he was new to us.We had decided to go down the Abol Trail. We had to go up Hunt because that is the official AT route but going down was our choice. We thought it would be easier so we went for it. The trail was easier but it was still a steep boulder climb down. We didn't know that Donna was terrified of going down trails where you could see over the edge and what could happen if you slipped. It was so hard for her because the cloud cover had lifted and we could see off the edge of the mountain. Paul and Santa had her face the mountain and go down backwards with them coaching her where to put her feet and hands. I went ahead to scout the trail and report back if there was an easier way to get down. I felt awful because she came out to support me and this was so hard for her. But she made it down and said more than once that we would be friends again-maybe. But towards the bottom we were back in the trees and the guys went ahead to get the van and we got to chat about everything as we finished walking down the mountain.Donna and I saw a family that we met on the mountain and the boys showed us how to get to the park ranger's office so we could meet Paul and Santa. They were concerned because they had seen us when we were going slowly and were very pleased to see that we had made it. Only the two boys had hiked the whole thing, mom and sister started up ad changed their minds.It was the hardest mountain but I loved it. I am good at rock scrambling-when the rocks aren't wet and we weren't in a hurry and I wasn't feeling like I was slowing Santa down so I could relax and enjoy the climb. I am terribly sorry that my friend struggled so much psychologically with the climb. She was truly terrified- she loves me!