Date: 2005-07-20
From: The Birches Campsite (Katahdin Stream Campground)

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Date: 7/20Starting Time: 5:10Starting Location: The Birches Campsite (Katahdin Stream Campground) Ending Time: 2:00Ending Location: Baxter Peak, KatahdinMiles: 5.2Morning Weather: Sunny and warm (high 70's)Afternoon Weather: Sunny and 90'sBreakfast: CIBLunch: Bars and gorpFirst Dinner: Chicken Parmesan with terrible pasta at AT CafeSecond Dinner: PizzaMisc. Food: Champagne(!) on Katahdin and at campgroundTrail Description: What can I say? It was an AMAZING hike up an incredibly difficult mountain today. Easy at first, until you reach a stream, then up normal Maine-like boulders and rock faces, then turn it up a notch with large boulders and rebar assists, then crank it up up several notches with an exposed rock scramble up to The Gateway. The Tableland (right after the Gateway) is a big plateau between the rock scramble and the summit, and was a beautiful, exposed, and barren rock plain that seemed to extend for miles. Simply stunning views all the way through.People: Graham, Bob and PattyAnimals: NoneMoney: 40 for champagne, 18 for first dinner, 20 for second dinnerComplaints: NoneThoughts: We had an unbelievable day. First of all, Biscuits! had a miraculous recovery. Aided by yesterday's many hours of R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) and an undisclosed amount of Ibuprofen this morning, she was able to walk pain-free the whole way. Her presence really made the difference in my summit day.We (Biscuits!, Graham, and I) got up at 4am, and Biscuits! immediately cracked a joke about a local who pronounced it "Katardin." We dumped some stuff at the ranger station to lighten our packs (tent, stoved, warm clothes, crocs) and set off.The first part was easy and beautiful. Katahdin Stream Falls was gorgeous, especially the lower section that had a bridge over the stream. The water was so clear it almost made you weep.The rebar section didn't last that long and didn't even have that much rebar, so while fun, I felt oversold on this whole section.The rock scramble up to The Gateway was awesome. Poles were stowed and hands were used instead. Everything was challenging, but several passages were especially difficult. Graham led us up this section since he is a very good climber (and good leader).I led the Tableland section, and walked it with my mouth pretty much hanging open. When we started uphill towards the summit, my pace quickened. When I crested a knob and saw the terminus sign, I took off almost at a run. I had the summit all to myself for 5 minutes and had a moment that I'll never forget. Plenty of picture-taking ensued. We hung around for an hour, then started down. We met Bob and Patty almost immeditely and turned back around and went to the summit for a second time to share champagne with them. By the time we got back up there, 5 other (day)hikers had arrived there. We were extremely glad (and fortunate) to have had the summit to ourselves. The views of the Knife Edge and surrounding mountains were to die for. Actually, the entire area behind the peak reminded of the view off of Mt. St. Helens crater, minus the menacing (and steaming) lava dome. We returned to camp, opened our bottle of champagne, and hung out for a while. We had no problems getting a hitch down to Millinocket. The only problem was that the car was a Honda Accord, and the three of us squeezed into the back seat with our packs on our laps, which meant that by the time we got to town our knees had seized up. We basically fell out of the car onto the sidewalk, thanked our ride, then attempted to get up and walk. It was quite amusing.We stayed at the A.T. Lodge in Millinocket and had a great time. Don and Joan (hosts) were super nice. Don gave us all hugs along with congratulations. It felt nice to stay at one more hiker hostel before leaving the area.NOTE: Pictures and final thoughts will be posted around August 1st. Thanks to all for reading along and participating in my journey.