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Journal
| About Downunda | Trail
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3rd September 2002 From:
Katahdin Stream Campground 
'Mama Said', 'Daddy Mention', and I picked up our daypacks (borrowed from
the Ranger Station) and picked up on the trail to Katahdin. It was 6:30
A.M. and the day looked clear although we could see that the upper part of
Katahdin was covered in clouds. We were hopeful that the clouds would burn
off. We decided to take our hiking pole and when we got to the boulder
fields 'Daddy Mention' would strap our poles to his backpack.
The first two miles were relatively easy, and then we reached to start of the boulders. This is when it started to rain lightly and our climb started to steepen. In a way we were lucky it was cloudy, as we couldn't see how steep and tough it was in front of us as visibility was down to about 100 feet. The climb was steep and tough, however, climbing with companions made it a lot easier for me. The rain continued and the wind picked up and I was freezing. I only had a tee shirt on top and put my rain jacket on. Foolishly I had not thought to bring a thermal top and would suffer for it throughout the climb. We reached a flat area known as the Gateway; from here it was two miles to the peak. We all stopped to put on our remaining clothes. I got my thermal bottoms on and had great difficulty doing it as my fingers were frozen. My boots and socks were totally saturated and very heavy. The trail levelled out quite a bit now so it was just a matter of following the trail up the slope to the summit. 'Mama Said' screamed out, as she was first to see the summit; it was 50 yards ahead. We each posed for the obligatory photographs (pictured above) in the freezing rain, then turned around and headed back down. It was disappointing that we couldn't stay and savour the moment and enjoy what is said to be a breathtaking views, however, as 'Daddy Mention' said, it was perhaps a fitting end to what has been a tough journey. The descent was extremely dangerous as the rocks and boulders were very slippery. Early on 'Mama Said' had a bad fall on the rocks. Luckily, she was only stunned. I'd hate to think how we would have handled a broken bone here. On the way down we passed 'Lotto', 'Bliss', 'Restless' (plus her father and her husband, Frank). The climb down was mostly slides on our backsides as it was too slippery to stand on many of the boulders. The rain ended as we got to a lower altitude, but did not stop. We changed into dry clothes at the Ranger Station and sorted our wet gear out. I was able to get a lift to Millinocket almost immediately and was dropped off at the Appalachian Trail Lodge, a low cost accommodation house. Later that evening, we all went to a local restaurant for dinner and celebrations. I won't try to reflect on this great adventure now, I'll leave that until I have returned home and have had a chance to gather my thoughts,. I'd like to give my thanks to all who have sent me messages and to the many people who have shown me help and hospitality along the way. Lastly, thanks again to Relic and the Keyboard Hiker for transcribing my journal onto Trailjournals.com and to my website. With that, I'll say farewell, all.
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