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I've recently come to love hiking and although I haven't done any extensive hiking yet, I do have plans to do so. When I finally get done with my master's degree here, I plan to hike the AT. (Appalachian Trail) It runs from Georgia to Maine and takes approximately 6 months.
This past summer I hiked a few times, and the most memorable experiences were Mt. Washington and Mt. Katahdin.
Washington was a beautiful hike, though difficult for me the first time. The only thing about Mt. Washington is that as you get to the top, when you're feeling exhilarated and like you just conquered the world... just as you come to the end of the trail and are dying to see the incredible view from the top... there's a big parking lot and tourist center waiting for you. Not very rewarding. Even better are the families taking pictures at the summit sign after making the long and exhausting DRIVE up the mountain. But the hike is still worth it.
Mt. Katahdin is completely different. Although Katahdin doesn't reach as high of an elevation, it's a longer and harder climb, since the base of Washington is much higher above sea level.
I guess the most impressive part of Katahdin would have to be the Knife's Edge (shown below). It's a trail that runs about a mile from the summit to a nearby peak. In some places the trail is only a few feet wide, and on either side it drops very steeply down to the base. Very intimidating, but an unbelievable experience.
I can't wait to go back.
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