Date: 2007-08-27
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

I returned to the shelter at 5 am from sleeping on the picnic table at the Katahdin Stream campground. Brothers Pete and Skiman, son Robert, and my husband Cargo Master were all getting dressed, packing up, eating breakfast, getting water, etc to prepare for our 6 am hike departure. None of us took fully loaded packs. It was a slack pack day with water, snacks, lunch, camera, cell phone and a few clothing items. Sorcerer came over, as planned, and left the contents of his pack in the car, so it would be there waiting for him at the Roaring Brook Campground, where Cargo Master would be meeting us around 4 pm. We have offered to bring Sorcerer to Bangor to a motel where he has a flight reservation at 2 pm Tuesday to return to TN. Sorcerer, by the way, hopes to write a book about his AT journey from a Christian perspective. It is an ambitious project but I know it will be a wonderful book, that many would enjoy adding to their library. Today was a Class I day on Katahdin, which meant clear skies and the summit was open. Indeed, it was a picture perfect day. The temperature was pleasant, blue skies and few clouds as we ascended the Hunt Trail on the Appalachian Trail. After a getting above tree line, there is a rocky ascent, following by a very flat area. We could see the cairns to follow and the Katahdin sign in the distance. We expected it to take us 4.5 hrs, but it took us around 3.5 hrs. We had the summit to ourselves for quite a while, before other day hikers arrived. I had hoped Raincheck would eventually catch up to us, but we did not see him. Sorcerer and I held hands as we touched the Katahdin sign together, signalling the end of our 2,174 mile journey. We offered thanks to God for all the blessings during our hike. Skiman and I hugged with tearful eyes, as Pete pulled out a bottle of champagne, sparkling cider and Lindt chocolates! It was 65' at the summit so we never needed our rainjackets or long sleeve shirts, not to mention the hat and gloves I had also packed. Robert took lots of photos to document the special occasion for which I was so glad he could be a part of. We watched the hawks circle as we ate an early lunch. None of our cell phones would work to call our loved ones not joining us today. We enjoyed many congratulations of dayhikers and a past Thru Hiker who recognized our celebratory mood. The view was spectacular with visability at least 100 miles. It was special to me to meet up with my former student, Amber Lessard, from Tuftonboro, a classmate of my son, Brian's, as she was hiking with a friend from Boston where she is a grad student at Simmons. Small world...! Now the AT was over and we descended Katahdin, Baxter Peak, on the famous Knife Edge Trail. I will go on record saying I DID NOT want to descend on this trail but I was out voted, and really had no option. This descent took 5 hrs, but probably would have taken Sorcerer and Robert 3! It was steep, scary and dangerous. The drop offs were so significant that you always wanted 3 points of contact and preferably eyes on the trail. It was a great relief to get off the rocks and back into tree line, even though there were still more steep parts. As we were getting nearer to the Roaring Brook campground, there were drawings in the dirt path that Cargo Master had left for me...a happy face, heart, home, etc. It was great to know we were almost at the parking lot. I signed out at the Ranger Station. Our group gathered at the car for drinks and snacks and shared with Cargo Master how wonderful the day was. He was so proud of me and happy for all of us. He gave me one of those fun cards that plays music. We drove to Bangor in our 2 cars, pausing once at the side of the road to stretch our stiff legs which Skiman and I had bags of ice on (our knees) in the car. We dropped of Sorcerer at the motel in Bangor and promised to send each other photos. I will always remember our brief friendship and our AT hike completion together. Next, we continued on towards Robert's home in Ellsworth, where we met his family at a restaurant for dinner. (Almost 4 yr old) Micah met me at the door with a bouquet of zinnias! Danica and her parents had lovely gift bags for me of foot care products, bubble bath, towel, cookies, etc to pamper myself. After dinner, we went to Robert and Danica's home to spend the night. I was happy the adventure was over but hadn't yet taken time to really relax and let the whole concept sink in. 150 days:4 months and 28 days: March 31-August 27:15.25 miles per day average...Phew!