Date: 2014-09-07
From: The Birches Lean-to & Campsite

To: Mt. Katahdin's Summit and AT Lodge
Miles today: 5.1

5.1 miles hiked, Mile Marker 2185.3 - I made it!(4.1 miles descent)"Drizzle Drazzle Druzzle Drome, Time For This One To Come Home"I got up at 4:30am as I wanted to climb Katahdin early. It was windy last night, but the wind had settled down. The temperatures were pretty cool and the sky clear; a perfect day to summit the mountain. I signed the roster sheet at 6am and started the 5.1 miles to the summit.The trail was very easy for awhile. There were even stone steps on the lower section. I was hiking alone for a bit, taking my time. But it wasn't long before faster hikers started passing me. The trail got rougher as it went up. It passed over Katahdin Stream, the clearest water on the A.T., just beautiful. I have to say the middle section of the climb, at least for me climbing with my pack,was harder than I had imagined. There was no food left in my pack, so it was lighter by several pounds, but still cumbersome on the rough climbs. I put my trekking poles away and just climbed the very large sections of rock. It was also very windy as you got higher, and pretty cool.I put on my jacket and gloves. The gloves also helped my fingers on the rough rock. I reached the northbound endpoint for the A.T., at 10:28a.m. I got my pictures and talked with Neon who was eating a very large sub sandwich. I, of course, had a picture taken in my chair drinking a Mountain Dew. I stayed at the top about 30 minutes sharing the beautiful views with my hiker friends. It was actually starting to get crowded with day hikers. I was surprised how many people, mostly young, would brave this climb to the summit. I was anxious to get down to the ranger station as I wouldn't feel that my journey was complete until then. I met Neon's Dad on the way down. He and his wife had planned to meet Neon on top, but his Mom, after getting through most of the hardest section, was taking a break. She had surgery on both knees in the past and they had had enough. His Dad asked if I would mind going down with her, as he was going on. I said I would be glad to. After all the Trail Magic they gave me, I was glad I could give back. We also had some good conversation on our way down. We had gone quite the way down, when Neon caught up and took over. I then hiked down with Braveheart, as we were both getting picked up by the same shuttle. She is going to take one zero day, and then start south on The Long Trail, alone. Wow, I just couldn't imagine more hiking anywhere right now,much less in the north again. I wished her well. When I got back to the Ranger Station and dropped my pack my journey was complete! I exchanged my boots for my flips, ahhhhh! Old Man, who completed the trail in 2006, picked us up and took us to his A.T. Lodge/hostel in Millinocket. where I tossed my mildewed boots into the trash. They smelled too bad to take them back. This was the third pair of Asolo boots for me. I was steered wrong on the choice of boots as they did NOT hold up in the rain. Three pairs and all leaked. REI was good to their word on standing behind the product they sell and replaced 2 of the 3 pair. I was able to get a private room at the AT lodge, and soon showered, groomed and washed my clothes. I then treated Braveheart to dinner at the A.T. Cafe to celebrate our journeys. It was great to get good food again and good company. So ends my tales from the trail on this last "Tales From Katahdin". Life is Family! -Hoyt