Finally! Decent internet service from the hostel here in Millenocket, Maine. As Blake posted earlier, I summited Katadhin today and completed my thru-hike! 2,189.1 miles!!! To say the day was powerful is an understatement. It started early in Baxter State Park after a night of rain and temps in the 40's. I guess there were 20 or so thru-hikers summiting (all starting early, but at separate times). The saying "everyone hikes Katadhin alone" seems to be true.
The hike was only 5 miles from the camp to the summit, but came with an elevation change of 4,000 feet. The concern of most hikers was the weather and conditions that would greet us that high up. Coming out of the 100 Mile Wilderness on Monday we were treated to a crystal clear view of Katadhin from 15 miles out. We knew today would not be as clear, but hoped conditions were better than Tuesday when the summit was invisible through a wall of clouds.
As I hiked out today signs looked positive that the sky might clear. The first half of the climb was standard AT elevation gains...gradually intensifying grade changes that soon gave way to tricky maneuvers up and around boulders. About 2 miles in tree-line ended and the hike turned into an intense rock scramble that called for my hands. At this point I put up my treking poles and used my hands and feet to get up and over scrambles.
As I went higher the adrenalin kicked in. HARD! I was moving and passed several hikers (both thru-hikers and day hikers). All along I was in thick clouds with little visibility of the view below. Then it broke... Or more like I climbed above the clouds. Absolutely amazing...I was above the clouds and visibility was clear.
The climb then gave way to a flat section on top of Katadhin which lead to the last push up to the terminus of the AT where other hikers were already celebrating their summit and more were soon to follow!
As promised early in the hike, with the trail name "The Dude" I would wear a bath robe in my summit pic (I also had some taken without robe). Everyone got a laugh when I pulled out a bath robe that Kelly had sent up and I had carried since my resupply in the 100 Mile Wilderness.
I will go back and post pictures from the Wilderness. It was bittersweet...my body was wearing down fast and nights dipped into the 30's. I did use my fly rod briefly and caught some small brook trout one night. The other morning my tent (with me in it) was nearly trampled by a bull moose chasing a cow moose. They came 10 yards from my tent. The noise woke everyone up. Ironically that morning was opening day of the first season and when we hiked into Abol Bridge Camp (at the end of the Wildeness) i saw several moose being checked in (game check in station).
Here is the summit picture. More pictures to follow!
Comment