Day 158, miles today - 5.1, total - 2,185.9, miles to go- 0.0

August 23, 2013

The Birches Lean-to to Katahdin.

I made it to Katahdin, my thru-hike is complete. I normally update my blog while either sitting on top of, or inside of my sleeping bag. In many cases while the others were going to sleep. Today I'm doing it at a kitchen table, free of mosquitoes and without the use of a headlamp.

B-Rocket's mother and twelve of their friends are going to summit Katahdin with us. Six of the group are going to hike up the AT with us from the campground parking lot. The others are going to start on the Abol Trail, it's shorter that way, and then meet us at the junction with the AT. From the junction it's another 1.0 miles to the summit.

I woke up at 5:45. After eating breakfast I woke B-Rocket, it was 6:00. We were to meet her six friends in the campground parking lot at around 7:00. Three of the group were Kelly, Katrina and Dan. The three of them hiked with us on B-Rocket's birthday, about one month ago. It was good seeing them again, they are super nice. Once the group was all there, we got started, it was about 7:30 when we were on trail.

The first mile or so was moderate in difficulty. There were a lot of rocks, but for the most part there was a path to walk on. When we came to Katahdin Stream Falls, I stopped to take a picture. It was very pretty. We then had about two miles of very strenuous trail. I would consider it technical climbing. There were large boulders that we had to climb over. It was very difficult in many sections. We were above tree line and it was very windy. I put my rain jacket on for warmth, it was rather chilly. We then had one mile of better trail, where it was less steep.

Katahdin Stream Falls

Kelly and B-Rocket

Katrina, Dan, Kelly and B-Rocket

                                                                                Katrina

There were many dayhikers on the trail with us. It's obviously a popular trail. There was at least one group of Boy Scouts.

When we neared the junction with the Abol Trail we saw B-Rocket's mother and the rest of their friends. We all hiked together from there. I normally tend to hike faster than B-Rocket, but today I wasn't in a hurry to reach the summit. The end of my hike had been a long time coming, there was no point in rushing it. We passed Long Trail and Night Rider, they were both on their way back down. We congratulated them and said our goodbyes.

The sky was mostly full of clouds with an occasional patch of bright blue. I was hopeful that the gusty winds would eventually clear the sky.

As we got to maybe a tenth of a mile from the top, we could see a large group of people near the sign. That was where our thru-hike would be complete. Walking that last short distance felt a little strange, soon I would move from current thru-hiker to past thru-hiker. My journey would be over.

We got to the sign at 11:50 am, we both reached out to touch it. Our journey was complete. I didn't cry or yell with excitement. I mainly felt relief that it was over, and satisfaction in knowing that I pushed through difficult and sometimes harsh conditions to get here. I did feel just a little sad too, the trail life I had known and enjoyed was ending today.

We each posed for several pictures, separate and with others. We took one picture with all of B-Rocket's friends. We stayed on the summit for one hour. We ate a little lunch and just enjoyed the moment. The clouds opened up at times, revealing magnificent views all around us. It was truly spectacular. As we were getting ready to leave, I went over to the sign one more time, kissed it, and then started back down.

                                                                                 Blazer

                                                               Kelly, B-Rocket and Katrina

After we were all back to the cars we went to a close by restaurant for dinner. I went home with B-Rocket and her mother. They live in Lisbon Falls, Maine, which is about three hours from Katahdin. Lisbon Falls is forty minutes from Portland, where I'll fly out of.

It'll be great to get home, to see my family and friends. Returning to normal life will probably seem strange at first, but I'm ready.

I was fortunate to have met and hiked with many very nice people. There was Raider, Phys Ed, Sequoia, River Guard, Rabbit, Wanderlust, Iceman, Pumpkin Head, Dutch, Sundance, Garfunkel and of course B-Rocket. I've hiked with B-Rocket for almost two months. It was nice having someone to share the good times and the bad. With B-Rocket, I also got the support of her mother, Jamey. She provided support during and after my hike.  I also met and hiked with many others, whom I will always remember. I received trail magic from many generous people.  I even got to visit with John Nieman, who I hadn't seen for over 35 years.

Thank you to everyone who has followed my blog. I always enjoyed reading the comments. Just knowing that people were following was comforting. The support of my family, friends, and the students and staff at Madeira Schools was tremendous.

It was an awesome journey!

Thank you!