Date: 2008-10-08
From: Base of Mt Katahdin

To: Baxter Peak on Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Today was THE day. After over 5 months of hiking, my thru-hike on the Appalachian Trail was completed today. Awoke at 5:30 at the Econo Lodge in Millinocket, and arrived at the base of Mt. Katahdin around 7AM, along with Tailgate, Mas, T-Bone, Wildflowers, Swami, Darci, Freckles, Sprite, Papa Sarge, Geoff, and countless others. There were even a few day hikers there. The sky was clear and blue and the temperature mild. The excitement of the thru-hikers was palpable. Like caged animals finally freed after an unexpected imprisonment. The hike up to Baxter Peak started out with a very gentle grade, and then transitioned into terrain more typical of the Maine sections of the trail. It was a moderate climb for the first 3 and a half miles, and then we encountered a fairly wide section of boulder scramble. I stowed the hiking poles in my backpack and made my way up. Some of the boulder climb was a bit of a stretch with even my long legs. I really felt for some of the shorter hikers on these sections as it would certainly require more assessment on their parts to choose the path to success. However, given that we have all traveled a very long way to ge here, no obstacle was enough to stop any of these intrepid folks. As soon as we were above treeline, it became quite windy, and a biting wind at that. Had to put my jacket, gloves and hat on, and I was buffetted a bit by the gusts, as were my fellow hikers. We continued on above the boulder scramble to the section called the Tablelands, a broad, flat expanse of alpine vegetation and rockfields just below the peak. Throughout this section there was a fari amount of snow. So, today, my last day, became the only day that I hiked inthe snow. A fitting end. There was also a fair amount of ice on the rocks and in the trail that hadn't melted yet either. It became easier to see why the summit hike might have been significantly more dangerous or accident prone if the snow and ice hadn't largely melted by this time. It also made us glad that our desperate discussions about hiking to the summit under the cover of darkness while the peak was still closed and covered with ice and snow, rather than leave without finishing, did not become our foolish reality. ACross the Tablelands we wlaked, and up the final short climb to Baxter Peak. As soon as we all reached the summit, the wind stopped, and it was truly lovely. The view was panoramic, fall colors, the Knifes Edge trail, and a huge crowd of other hikers. Probably 20 people had gotten to the peak ahead of me, around 7 came up at the same time as me, and another 25 or some came up in the 2 hours after me. Thru hikers and day hikers, and a few family members. The hoots and cheers were echoing through the surrounding valley. Though it was an unstoppable component of the celebration, the Student Conservation Association intern at the peak was constantly attempting to quiet the cheers that greeted each new summiter, as apparently the sounds echoed and travelled so far that it causes a noticeable amount of wildlife disturbance. We all shared champagne, beer, cigars, and of course joy, pride, and sadness at the end of this very special time in our lives. After about 2 and a half hours at the peak, I headed down, the same way I came up, to meet Dad at the base and head out. The views from the climb down were in some ways even more special, because of the realization that once at the base of the mountain, it truly was over and I would be re-entering the more standard human reality. In the end, there were at least 49 thru-hikers signed in at the base for today's summit, close to a record. In the end, I summited with these fine folks: Cookie Monster, Spidey, No-Amp, Keychain, Zen, Thinker, Creeper, Pete's Dragon, Hammer, Stumpknocker, Troutbum, Peregrine, Flip, Flop, Kneenock, Mountain Spice, Swami, Darci, Weatherman, Mas, Tailgate, Papa Sarge, Freckles, Sprite, Castaway, Kickit, Willow, Long Way Tru, Chuck, MotorButt, White Lightning, Naked Time, Hare, Easy Strider, Gouda, Homeward Bound, Geoff, Big Ease, Snackies, T-Bone, Wildflowers, Double Zero, and at least 8 others that I still hadn't met. A fantastic day, and though not so full of reflection, a great way to end the hike with many new and old friends. Now back to the less real world, after a couple weeks making the rounds of Rhode Island, Georgia, and Michigan to connect with family and friends. Best Wishes to everyone who has followed this journal, and supported my hike. Thank You all! Also, for anyone comtenplating this adventure for themselves, my advice is to make the choices that make it happen. It was unparalleled. I'll be going in to update the gaps in New Hampshire, Maine, and elsewhere over the next few days for those that want to backtrack. I'll also be adding more photos. Enjoy.