Date: 2003-08-31
From: The Birches Campsite

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

THE ENDI woke up at 5:30. It felt like Christmas morning. Excitement about the day. Didn't sleep much at all. Indian drums and voices filling the cold night, along with a fast beating of my heart. The lack of sleep was replaced by adrenaline. Had a big piece of cheesecake that was left here yesterday by a former hiker. We started filling garbage bags with gear we did not need for the hike. One last morning of stuffing my sleeping bag into its stuff sack, of putting on these same familiar clothes - smelling the same stench they hold and probably will always hold. Took one last look at the Birches, grabbed my garbage bag and headed down the tote road. How was I feeling? Wow! Oh my gosh! It's really happening. Did I want to climb up Katahdin? Honestly I wanted to because it was a part of the trail, but no because that would mark an end to our hike. Met some of the parents in the parking lot - who had arrived at the park around 3:30 to get in to a parking spot. There were a lot of people in the park, preparing themselves for the climb. They were stretching, getting gear ready and eating the last of their breakfast. Headed off, signing in at the register at 6:30. The six of us started hiking our last miles together. The first part of the trail was shockingly flat. That soon changed of course into a gradual up....climbing stone steps which were nice. We had a Class I day, meaning it was absolutely clear. It was a beautiful day. Every morning prior to today Katahdin hid in the clouds. Walked down a stream on the trail which seemed quite familiar. I was tired early on. Muscles burning, sweat forming, adrenaline pushing me. My shoes, with the worn grips on the bottoms, made some of the climbing interesting. We got above tree level, having to put on layers because the wind was picking up. Thankful we had no snow or rain today. The next part of the trail was rock climbing. Huge bolders to go up and around. A big jungle gym. It was hard but it was fun. Some of the rocks had rebar. Did a lot of pulling myself up and climbing on my knees. Definitely no poles needed for this part of the trail. Took a break at the end of that section. The views were amazing. You could see for hundreds of miles. Other peaks around stood so peaceful and quite big. We ended up all hiking together, helping each other out. Readingman climbing with us. Next was a ridge of nothing but rock scramble. Climbed mostly on all 4s. I was wearing all the clothes I had because it got colder as we climbed. Finally we reached the tablelands. It was like a huge football field. All flat but rocky. We walked all together in a line as the trail zigzagged for a while, then came a gradual up. Then we could see it. The famous sign that we have seen in so many pictures. We didn't take off running or start screaming. We contined walking until we reached the sign. We all circled up around it and touched it together. There were about 10 or so people up there and they started clapping. Emotions started flowing as we hugged each other. I stood there looking at the sign thinking....wow, it's gonna end. This sign was so much more than a sign. It was everything leading up to this moment. All the climbs, the rain, the laughs, the pain. All of it was held in that sign. We are done. We have finished this long, long journey. Never did I think I'd actually hike the entire trail. I have accomplished my dream and now I feel on top of the world. We took pictures of the sign, in a group, individually, and in santa elf hats. We had champaign and I had my first coke in 6 years. Celebrating this incredible moment. Had 2 double cheeseburgers from McDonalds which hit the spot. It was in the 40s and very windy. I saw Knife's Edge, a trail that is about 5 feet wide with drop offs on both sides. Not about to hike down that trail. I stood looking out over the horizon. Thinking of one of the songs that I fell in love with out here on the trail. The song is titled "Great Are You." "How I love your works, my God, my King....because I'll never hold a picture of the whole horizon in my view......" I tried to get this amazing view to stick in my memory. Not only the incredible view of the lakes and distant mountains, but of the moment itself. Very overwhelmed by a sence of peace, of excitement, of relief. We are truly blessed beyond imagination. Heart still racing as the wind cuts right through me, causing me to shiver. Then, my mind jumps back to that dreary cool day at Springer. The 5 of us, still strangers to some of the group, sat at the plaque and all pointed to Katahdin. Not thinking that all 5 of us would make it all the way. We stuck together, overcame all odds and made it. We all gathered in a circle and said our last prayer together. My prayer to God.... "Thank you God! For grace, for the weather, for the 5 people I've been on a    journey with. You never let us out of your sight, always there leading our    paths, laughing at our stories, wiping away our tears, and giving us many   angels along the way. Thank you for this gift and journey that opened my   eyes, not only to the world and nature, but to you. You have shown me who   I am, what I can be, and all I can overcome. Help me to retain this sense   of peace, this love of life, and this carefree act. You totally amaze me,    Father. Amen"Even though we finished the hike we had to climb back down. A slide of some sort or even a gondola would've been nice at this point. I said goodbye to the sign, the trail. No more following Wingfoot's book. Knowing that all the friends that we met before were at this same spot. Wondering their thoughts, their feelings. Made it through the tablelands and started the rock scramble. Deep breath. Not ready for the beating my body is about to receive. Oopu led the way. Rock climbing is definitely his thing. Coming down was a different kind of excitement - of fear. Adrenaline continuing as the rocks dropped off. I started just sliding down on my butt, wondering how the heck did I ever make it up these rocks? My knees not allowing me to jump down off the rocks. They were spent. The rocks tore our hands up. If I ever climb this mountain again, I will definitely wear some type of gloves. Mr. Bob, Slick and Speck's dad, ended up making it all the way and was hiking down with us. I'm glad that he is getting a taste of what we've been hiking through lately. We finally made it off the rocks, glad to be below treeline. I tried taking my time going down. Looking at the last views, taking my last steps. Made it down to the bottom and signed out at 3:17. We were #'s 166-172 of hikers who hiked the entire trail for this year. Drums and voices filling the air. My family meeting me in the parking lot. Felt like it was just the end of another day. Not the end of the trail. We headed out of Baxter and went to Abol Bridge. Wanted to show them the "postcard" view of Katahdin. Then went to the AT Lodge, showered, put on clean cotton clothes and went to the Hotel Terrace, a steak house. Mr. Cranky Pants and Eileen were there. 20 all together with our parents. Had a great meal. We all were worn out. Took some last pictures and gladly got some sleep.