Date: 2007-09-13
From: The Birches

To: Mount Katahdin!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

We woke up early so we could spend some time up on the mountain today. We were all anxious about today. We ate breakfast and began packing our "lighter" load. We didn't need to carry our sleeping gear or our cookware and extra clothes. Once our packs were ready, we finished eating and we were ready to head out.   The sun was rising and it was cold out. It was in the upper 30's. The leaves are really beginning to change here, and I can't help but feel as though I should be preparing for winter as well. It is strange. I am looking forward to seeing Bob. He has already left Ohio and will be here on Friday. I will have some time after the hike to get my gear straightened around, so that is good. As we walk to the trail my thoughts drift home. I can't wait.      We register on the trail and the first mile is an easy walk. Then on the second mile we begin to ascend...nothing that we haven't already done. As we climb and are beginning to get near the treeline, a hiker comes down and tell us not to go up...it is too cold. He says he has section hiked the entire AT and he doesn't recommend going up. He is improperly dressed (wearing shorts) and doesn't have any additional clothes. We thank him and move on. We are not going to be discouraged. We have additional clothes and it is a class two day. No problems.      We decide to put our outer layer of clothes on before going above treeline and to have a snack. It was a good move as the wind was sharp and we were still on the shady side of the mountain. All of us stayed comfortable and warm. We began climbing the boulders and making our way up the spine of the mountain. Once we made it past the Gateway, we were on the Table Land with less than one mile left. We could see the peak.       As we arrived a flood of emotions arose in me. From excitement to disbelief to joy to sadness. I could not believe my journey is done. I had walked 2175 miles, through 14 states and six National Parks. I will never underestimate the power of just "walking" ever again! The cameras came out, the laughter begins. It was a sunny, picture perfect day. Unbelievable. We are so blessed.      We were able to take off our jackets, hats and gloves and we decided to have a snack and just relax and take in the gorgeous view! 360 degrees of beauty. The Knife's Edge (an alternate trail down) looked incredible! We spent an additional hour and a half soaking it all up! I didn't want to leave.      But the clock was ticking and we still had to get back down the mountain, and get a ride into Millinocket. We reluctantly left the most amazing place I have ever been on earth. Hiked down the Table Land, the Gateway and Hunt Spur. At Treeline, we took off another layer as the temps were in the 80's. We made it down to Katahdin Stream Falls, and back to the ranger station to sign out.      I am now officially a "thru-hiker". I had a dream. And I lived, saw, and breathed it into life. It is alive in me now and always. It is something I will never forget.      I will be posting the rest of my photos and some of my after thoughts in the next several days. I didn't get back to Ohio until Tuesday, September 17th as I had to hike the section I had missed, so on the way home, we drove by and finished it. I can say with pride I have hiked ALL 2175 miles. Also, we stopped in Moson, Maine and picked up a piece of wood that the Lake Shore House had and I am going to carve a saying in it and make a coffee table out of it.       Sorry for the delay in posting the final entries, Bob, Brian and I have to drive to Chicago to visit Rachel at college for Parents weekend. From the woods to the city...quite a shock I have to say.