My Adventure Story
On August 14 my good friend Clark (Thru Thinker) and I took planes, buses and a car shuttle to the little town of Monson, Maine. Our goal was to hike the Appalachian Trail through Maine's 100 Mile Wilderness, enter Baxter State Park and climb to the top of Mt. Katahdin. This would put my total AT mileage over the 1,000 mile mark and celebrate the end of Clark's 9 year journey to complete the trail that started as a thru hike in 2001.
Good weather and a very dry hiking season presented us with plenty of blue skies, crystal blue lakes, very few bugs and even less mud. After seven days on the trail feasted and rested at White House Landing. Refreshed and nurished we hiked on and reached Abol Bridge. Katahdin was so close we could almost touch it. Another perfect day for our hike to the base of Katahdin where we lucked out and managed to secure our own lean to at Katahdin Springs campsite.
On summit day we woke at 3 AM, were on the trail by 4 and broke out above tree line to see the entire landscape bathed in the glow of dawn's early light. The summit of Katahdin was covered in clouds as we climbed and scrambled our way up. I am sure Clark wanted to run ahead but he stayed with me while I dealt with the mountain and my fear of heights. When we reached the table landsnon top Clark forged ahead for his long awaited date with the summit. I arrived a little while later and we had an impromptu celebration as the first to summit that day. We had the summit to ourselves for about 15 minutes. Every few minutes the clouds would part and offer us amazing 360 degree views. Truly amazing. I couldn't have scripted a better day, despite the rain we encountered as we reached treeline during our descent.
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