Date: 2020-08-06
From: Katahdin stream Campground

To: Katahdin - Northern Terminus
Miles today: 10.4

So I have been putting off writing this last journal entry as it would mean that my section hike of the entire AT had finally come to a close. While Greenies and my hike was finished last August the adventure remains fresh in my mind and will always be a part of who I am. When I got back from our trip I immediately drafted my 2000 mile application to the ATC, only to find out after following up with them that they are not recognizing any miles completed in 2020 due to the pandemic. We finished our hike observing all of the requirements put forth by the state of Maine (testing etc) and the trail itself in the State and Baxter State Park was open to folks from outside of Maine, so what we did was fully legal and completely within guidelines to be COVID safe. We would have not gone if we could not have completed it within legal mandates. Needless to say the ATC put a little tarnish on our completing the AT after 16 years for me and 20 years for Greenie. Oddly enough, they have no problem asking for money just about every week. The reply to me from the ATC was to go back and do the miles at a later date - seems that they just don't get that for someone younger that would be easier to do than for folks like me at 62 and Greenie at 70. I/we fought hard to finish the trail. I personally overcame alcohol addiction (sober since 2005), lacerated cornea (trail injury), surgery to reattach my right hamstring, broken ankle, broken big toe, broken wrist (trail injury), hernia surgery (trail injury) and congestive heart failure......Hell, the fact that I finished the trail is a damn miracle and a testament to my tenacity. ALDHA and the hiker yearbook had no issue recognizing our accomplishment, for which I will always be eternally grateful.So onto our last day on the AT!We were up early as usual going about getting ready for the trail. After breakfast, Greene, Nate, Alex, Wingman and I piled into Greenies car for the ride to Baxter State park from the NEOC. There was a sense of anticipation about the day and both excitement and anticipation among all in the car. My son Alex had started me on this adventure many years before, and Wingman, very much like a brother to me, had joined me on a number of sections before Greenie and I connected and decided to finish the trail together. Nate was there for his father Greenie to share in this final walk to complete his dream that started out as a mid-life crisis when he turned 50. Things could not have been more perfect.After getting past the entrance gate we drove up to Katahdin Stream Campground where we parked our car and went about final preparation to start our hike. A ranger there spoke to us and some other hikers about safety and turn around times along with asking about gear we had with us. Even though this was a day hike, I never walk into the woods thinking I will come out the same day and always carry the essentials necessary in the event I have to hunker down for the night or deal with an emergency.We started our ascent which started off nice and easy, but as with all big climbs the difficulty increased as the views got better. We stopped a few times for pictures before breaking the tree line. The Katahdin Stream waterfalls were very beautiful and the stopping point for folks looking for a lower level experience. After clearing the tree line the views were spectacular. The trail got more and more difficult as it dipped down along a narrow passage before climbing through large rock slabs and emerging into some difficult hand and foot climbing that was almost technical. I as watching for where Ned the Fed had his foot crushed by a dislodged boulder that required him being airlifted off of the mountain. He asked me to kick the boulder for him and If I could have clearly identified it I would have.I thought of my good friend Cimarron and how he and Bearbag had tried to take on this section of trail when Cimarron was trying to become the oldest hiker to thru hike the AT. His attempt was thwarted by the raw difficulty of this section of trail. At Cimarron's funeral bearbag told about how they realized it was not going to happen and ended up stopping somewhere before the big boulder scramble before reaching the Tablelands. They sat on a rock to take in the view and think about what was not to be. I carried Cimarrons red bandana with me on this hike and will wear it for him at the summit.The boulder scramble up to the Tablelands is one for the records. At one point I felt the hand of Alex on my backside giving me a shove up a particularly difficult section where rebar was planted in the rock to get up and over boulders where no hand or footholds could be found. When we reached the Tablelands we stopped for a photo op and then walked on. Distance is always difficult to judge in such large open expanses. I was hoping to collect some water at Thoreau Springs, but opted to continue with what I had as I was not in dire need and the source there was questionable (in terms of volume).As we made our way up to the summit, it seemed further away than it was - and then all of a sudden someone called out that they could see the sign at the summit and that it was not far. Greenie and I began to get choked up, and avoided talking to each other as not to start crying. I dropped my pack and took out Cimarrons red bandana and my fathers wings (he was a captain for Delta Airlines for over 30 years) and put them on to wear on my final steps to the summit. Again, I almost hesitated to complete those final steps as it would mean that this was over. Greenie and I approached the sign from opposite sides, and after all these years and miles, placed our hands on the finish point of our walk. It still makes me cry to think about it never mind write about it.At 12:00 noon on August 6, 2020 Dave "Greenie" Greenslit and Dana "Pilot" Perry finished the entire Appalachian Trail.After taking pictures, exchanging hugs and celebrating our completion, we stepped off of the summit into a low point where we could get out of the wind and have lunch. The view was spectacular with chimney pond below us and Pamola stretching off to our right. We had cell service so I was able to post pictures on facebook and call my wife to let her know we had done it.I will not cover the trip down, but I will tell you that as hard as it was to get up to the summit, it was more nasty coming down. I was happy when we finally got to the lower section where the trail was kind and gentle. I was tempted to run the final part of the trail but restrained myself from doing so. The drive back to the NEOC was quiet as we all reflected on the day and what we had accomplished. I was happy and sad but content.To those that consider taking on the trail, just don't think or dream about it, do it. Tell others that you are going to do it to bind yourself to the adventure. The trail will change you in a way that you cannot imagine or in ways that I can explain. My adventure started because I liked backpacking and wanted to do more, but what it became was so much more than camping and backpacking. I am a better person for having done it. If the world was like the trail, we would not have the issues we have today - I will let it go at that.See ya down the trail!