Date: 2005-07-20
From: Katahdin Stream Campground, ME

To: Mt. Katahdin Summit - The Grand Finale
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Amazingly we both slept pretty well, despite getting to bed early and despite the anticipation of today. We were up just before 4:00, as I wanted to try and get going by 5:00 so that we could get up to the summit before the hot sun and other hikers came up. We ate a quick breakfast, even though I heated water for coffee, something I never did on the trail. It was a clear, beautiful morning and looked to be a good hiking day. Patty made us a pack lunch to take, since the hike would be 8-10 hours roundtrip, and we got underway just after 5:00. Our pace was slow compared to that of Team Juggernaut, but it gave me time to enjoy the views and reflect on the entire climb as it was happening. The early part of the climb was below treeline and about what we'd been having through much of Maine. When we got above treeline though, we encountered some pretty serious boulders and rock chutes to climb over and through, often with iron handles to assist. Patty was a real trooper and kept a good pace up, even through the tough terrain. As we crested the rocky area, we came to a long, flat rocky field about a mile long that gradually rose up to the summit. Patty was struggling some, as she had strained a muscle contorting over some of the larger rocks and was in some pain. But she soldiered on and we neared the summit just after 10:00. Biscuits, Boomerang and Graham were just beginning to come down, but went back the few hundred yards with us to have some champagne and share the moment. I though I was prepared emotionally for the first view of the summit sign, but tears welled up anyway and I became choked with emotion realizing that this was the moment I had been waiting for for almost four months. All the hard work, discomfort, rain, cold, heat, bugs and the beauty of the trail were coming to a dramatic conclusion on the top of the magnificent Mt. Katahdin. Patty and I hugged, cried, blubbered mushy things to each other then popped the champagne and celebrated with the others, took lots of pictures, laughed and reveled in the thrill at having completed this incredible journey together (even though I did the hiking part). Patty presented me with my Medal of Triumph, which I proudly wore for the rest of the day. I think we did hike back down, but we were all still in the clouds for quite some time. We then drove to Millinocket for the birthday celebration part of the day, where we are staying in a gorgeous lakeside lodge with a spectacular view of Katahdin from our room (greeted with LOVELY flowers from Jim & Kate and champagne from Richard & Susan-it just keeps getting better and better). We soaked in the hot tub to relax our weary bodies and sore muscles, drank more champagne and opened my presents lakeside as the sun began to set. Then to dinner at an exceptional local restaurant Patty uncovered and back to our full moon view of the mountain before bedtime. It was a wonderful conclusion to a fairytale day and an accomplishment/adventure that I will cherish for the next 50 years (since my plan is to live to be 100!). Tomorrow, the debriefing and reflection and the long drive home.