Date: 2003-09-24
From: Kathadin Stream Campground

To: Kathadin (Baxter Peak)
Miles today: 5.2

For all the people of Moycarkey, Littleton and Two-Mile- Borris. I don¢t think I slept a wink after 3 o¢clock. I kept looking at my watch every 10 minutes. I didn¢t want to wake my companions but later I learned that they were just as much awake as i. Before first light, I was moving and with headlights shining, I ate a cold breakfast. The rain had stopped and it looked good. The forecast was for clear weather. At 6, I was ready to leave. I was estimating a four hour climb. Others had said 3 hours or 3 12 hours up and that the downhill was slower. As I hit the Trail, the dawn was breaking. The first mile up past the Kathadin Falls was easy. It was cold but dry. After 1 hour things began to get a little tougher as I reached the rocks. Loa passed and she was really feeling the cold. Leap Year then came stomping by me, hiking naked. I ¢barely¢ saw his bare legs as he hurried up the rocks trying to keep warm. As we moved above the tree line he was forced to ¢cover his nakedness¢- the cold was just too much. The climb was tough but nothing that I hadn¢t done before. The adrenalin was flowing and I felt really good. The mist was swirling across ¢The Owl¢, sometimes I had clear views of the mountain as the sun broke through the clouds and mist. Around 9, I reached Thoreau Spring, named after some gentleman who climbed Kathadin in the 1800¢s. One mile to go. The last mile was not too difficult, as I walked the ¢boulders¢, but visibility was poor. The summit was covered in fog and mist. It was very, very cold. But I was slowly walking those last precious steps and I don¢t think I even felt the cold. Loa and Leap Year clapped as I reached the summit. They were huddled in the shelter of some rocks. I leaned on my hiking poles, head bowed as I said a wee prayer of Thanks. The tears just flowed and would not be denied. Leap Year and Loa were also crying. It was an indescribable moment as I stood there and realised that,yes, I had ¢done it¢.We shared some food and drink. Some day hikers were there but they moved to one side. They sensed how special the moment was for Thru-Hikers. Soon Starbuck arrived. He, too, is overcome with emotion as we clapped his final steps. Jason and Trout Lilly were not far behind. Then it was Wizzard. We sat around in the cold. We took some photos. My camera would not work but Starbuck came to the rescue with a spare battery. Beer, champagne and brandy had been carried to the top and was sipped by all. Before we left, we gathered together for a few moments prayer. This was special for all of us as we thanked God and friends for bringing us safely through. Then it was time to head back down the mountain. Wizzard and I stayed together and walked slowly down as the sun greeted us on the rocky section. Starbuck, Jason, Trout Lilly and Leap Year were all taking it easy on the way down. Blaze and Pace joined us near the Falls. We could hear the bag pipes in the distance. John was there in his Tipperary jersey to pipe the Hikers home. There were scenes of great rejoicing as the beer and champagne flowed laced with a drop of Jameson. .Stripe, Oopala and many others were there. Green Turtle and his girlfriend also arrived. Eddie, John, myself and the rest retired to Millinocket for a good shower and celebratory dinner.