Date: 2018-09-13
From: Caratunk, Maine

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 150.3

Exactly 150 days, 2190 miles, 20 pounds, and 4 pairs of boots later, I finally summited Mount Katahdin, finishing the longest footpath in the world, a bucket list item of mine since I first heard of the trail at age 16. However, prior to summiting, I had to complete the only section of the trail that truly intimated me from the start, the 100 miles of wilderness. Although more physically demanding than I had anticipated, this section proved to be more emotionally taxing for me than physically or mentally. I started the wilderness with 4.5 days worth of food, preparing for a 10 mile half day, two 18 mile days, and two 25 mile days, getting me to Abol Bridge (the other side of the wilderness) by the 5th morning for ¢town¢ breakfast and a final days resupply. The first 30 miles of this trek were truly physically challenging, yet the entirety of this section only increased its emotional tease as we pressed further and further into the wilderness. It was the strangest mental state experienced on trail, and was shared by several other hikers as well. You can feel yourself getting closer and closer to the end of an epic, and sometimes torturous, 5-6 month journey, creating an excitement that makes it difficult to slow down or sleep, yet simultaneously a sadness pulls at you to be mindful and try to savor every moment as you are aware that soon enough, this journey will end. To top it off, you periodically get glimpses of Katahdin waiting in the distance, each time getting closer, taunting you with its impressive prominence as the final stage of the trip. To add to the anticipation and playful torture, at one time you are only 16 miles from the mountain as the crow flies, presenting the illusion you can reach out and grab it, yet still have 38 trail miles to get there. The wilderness does a great job setting the stage for inevitable reflection undisturbed by the future excitement of the final summit, creating an uncontrollable search for words of summation that just cannot be found. Tears replace the words that cannot be articulated. In addition, the elements began to change, as two nights were experienced at below freezing temperatures, with the final day in the wilderness bringing cold AND rain. The same day we exited the wilderness in the cold rain, we hiked to the base of Katahdin, having to try to sleep with the last challenge staring us in the face. I was awake by 3:30 am chomping at the bit. Short Mile and I reached the summit trail at 6:50 am, starting our day in grey clouds and fog, making for a slippery and dangerous ascent. As we got higher, the mountain actually punched through the cloudy overcast, as did we, giving us blue skies, a beaming sun, and an ocean of fog below us as far as we could see in all directions. At times it looked as though the fog was lapping at the mountain the way the ocean does to the beach (see pics). As I approached the final sign, there was no moment of ecstasy or chills of excitement, rather a stillness internally that reflected the environment in which we were presented. I sat atop the mountain for an hour or so enjoying myself yet that understanding my hike was not TRULY over until I descended, which proved to be extremely dangerous and difficult as we reentered into the clouds. We actually came upon a hiker who had just fallen and suffered from symptoms of severe concussion, including lack of consciousness. After recovery, we helped the man to his feet and got him safely off the mountain. In appreciation, the injured hiker¢s family took us into the next town to exit the trail for the last time. Finally the hike was over.The last few nights, including the night after the summit, were very special in that they were spent with other hikers reflecting and talking of our shared and unique experiences of the tail. At this current moment on a bus to Boston, I find myself completely removed from the trail and those I spent this time with for the first time in 5 months. The transition is still in its process and proves to be the most bitter-sweet experience of my life. I know the totality of this experience has impacted my soul very deeply, yet I also know I will not completely understand how much so until time is spent back in the environment in which I was in prior to the beginning of the hike. I have yet to find the words of summation, and any one uttered will be from a place of premature conclusions and naivety. As a mirror provides a physical reflection enabling you to see yourself and how you have changed, others provide an internal reflection in which you can see yourself.  I know this will take time and exploration.  Although I feel accomplished in finishing, I did not accomplish this on my own. There are several of you that were a part of this journey whether you were physically there, gave assistance in some way, or simply provided words of encouragement, and for that I thank all and each of you. I love you all and am thankful and most appreciative. This would not have been the same without each act of kindness you bestowed. So thank you, thank you, thank you. I am excited to see each of you and relay as much of this experience as possible.  There is something very unique about the adventure the AT provides. Never have I had an experience test my mind, body, and spirit to the extent of the trail experience, while simultaneously setting each of them free. My soul is full.