Date: 2009-07-31
From: Birches Thru-Hiker Campground, Baxter State Park

To: Summit Mt. Katahdin!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

Day 143"Your goal shouldn't be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving in a beautiful and well preserved body, it should be like a skid in sideways, your body thoroughly worn out, screaming 'Yahoo! What a ride!'" -Bear GryllsHello All! I was able to summit Mt. Katahdin today under near perfect conditions. It took 3.5 hrs to hike to the apex. Here's a run down of the events leading up to the big moment. I couldn't sleep last night. Like a kid waiting for Santa, I stayed up most of the night anticipating what the day would bring. I finally dosed off around 0200 hrs and awoke to the sound of my wristwatch alarm at 0400 hrs. I wanted to be on the trail at 0500 hrs. Breakfast was oatmeal and a Snickers bar washed down with a soothing cup of green tea. Marvelous! Longshot and I walked toward the trail. Specifically, the Hunt trail which would lead me to the summit. There is a hiker registration board at the trailhead and all hikers are encouraged to sign in and out. Smart since this record allows Baxter State Park Rangers the ability to monitor who's on or off the mountain at any given moment. I signed in at 0501 hrs. and was off. The first mile or so was gentle. My pace was purposely slow taking time to breath in the sweet evergreen scents of the forest- Aroma Therapy at its finest. I was heading toward my goal.The trail took a noticeable turn after the first hour. More rocks, more incline. This section would require technical climbing skills to navigate up and over the gigantic boulders. Some of which had metal hand holds drilled into the rock to assist hikers making their way up. I watched my footing, not wanting to take any falls on the last day. I decided to use a daypack, provided by the Baxter Park Rangers, for todays trek. It was a good decision considering the terrain in this section alone. See How Big They are Now?-Photo courtesy the Chicago SistersI finally make it to what's referred to as the "Tablelands", a plateau of sorts strewn with rocks. This area is above tree line and besides being a place to take a breather after the previous hard climb it offers a surreal landscape. The plant environment here is fragile so in spots the Rangers have clearly marked the trail with a border of string staked into the ground.The final push to the summit takes me along a ridge line that curves up and to the right. It's deceiving and has at least one "false peak" along the way. As I walk I marvel at the clouds at this altitude. They begin as mere wisps of vapor, rising up from the valley below, before growing ever larger carried by the wind. I'm transfixed watching their dance. I continue on then see a shape appearing out of the fog in the distance. A structure in the form of a crude triangle. The base solidly mounted in an assortment of stacked rocks. Could it be the sign? Yes! Yes! It is the sign- the famous Mt. Katahdin sign! My heart begins to race and my legs move quickly. I try to control the pace but it's no use. I'm sprinting now and within a split second my hands touch the sign. I have arrived.The sign is hypnotizing. I'm not sure if I even read the words engraved upon it. I just stand there looking more at the shape before coming to the realization that my journey is now complete. There is no one around, just me, the sign, the mountain, the wind, and the clouds. It feels remarkably good. Intoxicating in fact. I drop the daypack, grab my camera and mini-tripod, and begin taking photo's. After filming a short video I reach for an envelope Wes and Carol Payne sent me with explicit instructions not to open until on the summit. Inside was a letter of congratulations, an ATC Georgia to Maine patch, 2000 miler rocker patch, and two red rotini noodles. I'm told to toss the noodles in keeping with the old bicyclist tradition signifying the end of a journey. So it be said, so it be done. Closure comes.Before long other hikers appear. The mountain is mine no longer. After a quick snack I begin the trek down to waiting friends and family. I arrive back at 1251 hrs. seeing my brother Mike and sister-in-law Linda standing at the trailhead. It's good to be here. Post Summit Croo!Longshot and his wife Dana have orchestrated a feast of sorts. There's a multitude of beverages, turkey chili, a bean side dish, and desserts to die for. We spend a couple of hours under a covered picnic table reminiscing, eating, and laughing. Good times no doubt. In short time the party is over and everyone goes their separate ways. Dana and Don preparing the feastRight now I'm in Bangor, ME. My girlfriend Kim flies in tomorrow and the plan is to spend some time seeing the sights of New England before heading back to North Carolina. I will continue updating the journal and adding pictures (as soon as I can get a computer cable for my laptop. I forgot to have one sent!). Additionally, I'll start working on a summary page. Stay tuned for more.......... Spokes