Date: 2015-08-21
From: Rainbow Lake Campsite

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 21.1

I slept well in my tent until very early morning winds blowing through the woods entered my consciousness. The air was humid, and as I dozed I thought about the rain that would come today. I guess I've been out long enough now that I can begin to read the weather a bit. I arose early, ate and packed up quickly and efficiently. By then Fozzy's dad was kindling a new morning fire. I talked about the rain, and he didn't think there would be any; it looked just like the day before. Not 20 minutes later as I worked my way across the rooty trail, I felt the first drops. It began as a misty sprinkle at first, and grew heavier, then faded out, several times throughout the morning. The Trail was difficult and rather slow, despite its mostly flat elevation. There was one higher section, the Ledges, where I was able to just eke out a few jumbled texts to Rob. I snacked at a lean-to with some section hikers, then at last exited the 100 mile wilderness, crossed Abol bridge, and indulged in a fish 'n chips lunch at the camp store. I had read somewhere n the past that the Trail from there to Katahdin Stream Campground, at the base of Katahdin, was broad and flat and well-groomed and easy. It was all of that, at first, and I happily cruised along the yellow-brick-road for a couple miles. Soon, though, it became more rooty, and narrow, and bumpy, and more like the Trail I had left behind in the morning. There were 2 last river fords, and the rain had started again, making the rock-hopping stones slick. I carefully picked my way across the first one successfully, but on the second I stepped down and slipped, falling hard and banging my left hip on a large stone, while dunking myself and my pack, up to the waist. Now tired, soggy and sore, I trudged up the Trail, thinking only of making it to the Campground in order to get off trail for the night. My texts with Rob earlier were to arrange a pick-up by Greg and Linda. As I awaited their arrival, I talked with a few hikers who had just come down off the mountain, having hiked it in the rainy conditions. They said it was tough, but of course were happy to be finished. They directed me to the Ranger station to sign in and receive my official thru-hiker number. Hot Chocolate was there doing the same thing ahead of me; he was #313 and I was #314. I still had a few minutes, so went and changed into some dry clothes, then sat at a covered picnic table to snack and wait. Not long after, a car pulled into the drive, and a voice asked from the open window if I was ready to go home. I was quite surprised to see Rob come to pick me up instead. We loaded my gear into the car, and then Hot Chocolate, who needed a ride into Millinocket. When we dropped him off, I had Rob pop the trunk open so I could get my "pouch" with my phone in it, to have in the car. It wasn't there. Nor was it in my backpack. Not in the car, either. It dawned on us that I had left it sitting on the picnic table bench up at the campground. Enter sinking feeling of dread...all of my personal info, credit cards, drivers license, driving glasses, and phone were in that pouch. On the phone was stored every photo of my AT thru hike. The potential loss was rather staggering. There was nothing to do but drive the more than hour round-trip back to look for it. What a blessed relief to find it sitting there, right where I left it! On the road again, we headed to Greg and Linda's house to pick up the box of overflow hiker food I had left, and to visit a bit. Their farm home and their company were both hard to tear ourselves away from. The drive was made longer and tiresome because of heavy rains and poor visibility, but we made it safely back to Farmington last night. Now, you may be wondering what's going on with the end of my hike. It's complicated, but I will try to explain as simply as I can. I want to share my hike of Katahdin with someone else. It isn't that I can't do it alone, or I'm scared to do it alone. It's that there's joy in the togetherness, especially something as big as that mountain. Rob wants to climb Katahdin with me, but today and this weekend don't work well. Besides that, the weather isn't great. Plus, I hiked 150 miles in the last 7 days, and am weary of hiking. I want to go up Katahdin well fed, well rested, clean and dry and raring to go, together with Rob, hopefully on a nice day this week, to fully enjoy my summit finish. Hang in there with me for the exciting conclusion!