Date: 2010-08-08
To: 10 AM on Mount Katahdin !!! 
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

I MADE IT!!!!! I woke early and was on the trail by 7:00 this morning. The trail started easy enough and before long became more of a challenge. However, it was nothing-- this now, seasoned old thru-hiker could not easily hike. I left most of my gear back at the base of the mountain, so I felt like I was floating up the trail.It took me about 3 hours to summit. I thought it was one of the sweetest climbs on the AT. There were quite a few people at the summit when I got to the top. I had been wondering if anyone would be up there to take my photo. No problem with that! It was clearing at the summit with views way out across Maine. Reaching the top was very emotional for me. After a bit of soaking in the exhilarating feeling and views I called Ina, my mom(with no luck) and my brother Bruce. Then I called Art from up at the Matagammon High Adventure boy scout camp. Then I got my harmonica out and played "Shenandoah", the same song I played at the start on the summit of Springer Mountain, way back on February 21.I had tears in my eyes as I played my harmonica. Then as an added treat, I watched a raven that was enjoying soaring along the ridge. I think it was looking for some lunch snacks. I felt a mixture of Happy and Sad - to walk away from the summit, after about an hour up there. It took me less them 3 hours to return to the base of Katahdin. WHITE JEEP was there to greet me and provided a snack and a map of the park. Then I began walking and hitch-hiking towards the Matagammon High Adventure boy scout camp.I got a ride with 2 fishermen in the back of their pick up truck who were heading that direction. We were able to flag down Art and I got into his van. We drove to Lake Matagammon where we took a boat ride across the lake to the scout camp. There was a good hot meal and soft bed. I'm about to fall asleep, still thinking about the trail and that last mile to the summit that I will always remember."That old AT. Just when you need it the most she throws you a bone."----Easy Peasy Lemon SqueezyFROST just called from the summit of Katahdin - YAHOO!!!!!CONGRATULATIONS FROST!!!! Well done, well done!!He kept the call short since he needs to keep that cell phone batteryjuiced up for several more calls to family and then to Art, for his pick-up rideto Matagammon High Adventure camp.FROST did tell me he started out at 7:00 this morning and it was shortly after 10:00 AM when he reached the summit sign/plaque. There was a partial cloud cover but it was beginning to break up. About 15 other section hikers were thereand more thru-hikers coming up the trail behind him. Much excitement in the air!Tonight FROST will be a guest at MATAGAMMON HIGH ADVENTURE camp on Lake Matagammon. THANK YOU very much Art for hosting FROST.Monday he'll head down to Bangor with Art. The plan is to take "The Dog" to Colorado to visit family for a bit then on home to Bellingham, WA.Below are some of FROST's A.T THRU-HIKER statistics*2,179 miles*5 mos. + 2 wks*144 hiking days*26 zero days *3 seasons -winter/spring/summer*3 pair BROOKS Cascadia Trail Running shoes(maybe an ad endorsement?!?*1 blisters*18+ ticks removed*22 + & - pounds lost$$$$ still to be talliedmore stats on his web page