Date: 2014-08-09
From: The Birches, Baxter SP

To: The End!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: broken clouds

The alarm on my moms phone that I borrowed, set at 4am, now went off. I climbed out of my GoLite Z-10 sleeping bag that I carried every single mile since Georgia, that was sitting on top of my completely deflated Big Agnus Q Core mattress. In the distance I hear others from around the tenting area, and from the shelter shuffle around, as well as my younger and much taller brother who surprisingly was awake as well. I unzipped my Big Agnus Fly Creek UL2, did my nature call morning ritual, and pounded hopefully my last PopTart for a long while. On the surface it seemed like a normal AT thru-hike morning. Well, except for the 4am alarm, but it was anything but. I was actually stunned that I was calm and collective as I was packing up for the final climb. My mind was at ease and my heart was soft. The light from the morning Maine sun was slowly rising, which made our headlamps steadily useless. I was unaware of who already left and who was still sleeping at the Birches when my brother and I took off for the ranger station. All I knew that I was on my hopeful schedule. So far so good.We stopped by the ranger station to pack up our slack pack backpack for the final 5.2 up the mountain. The beauty of climbing Katahdin is you return back to just where you started, so you don't have to carry you whole entire gear with you. I used a loner pack to stuff the gear I wasn't going to use, and leave it behind for the day, but I did feel that my blue Osprey Aether 70 was and should be on top with me at the finish. My brother and I packed only our snacks, water, appropriate summit clothes, and electronics for picture and video making with us. It sure felt good leaving almost 20lbs off my back. Sometime before 5, we headed up the trail to start the final day....day #171 and last on my journey. So far the weather couldn't be better, sunny skies with coolish temperatures. The first mile and a half was steady, easy and scenic. We past by a few falls and stopped for a view, but there was also a lot of hikers that were passing us on the way up. My brother although younger and in decent shape was obviously not in mid-season form when it came to hiking. I knew it would take a few minutes longer, but he actually did very well, for the difficultly of the climb. There was a lot of hand climbing, rebar grabbing, and just plain steep grades till we arrived at the tree line. My poor brother thought we were just about there, but I knew better. With the skies still clear we had a 360 panorama of some of the greatest views yet. We could see the top where a lone cloud hovered. The temps dropped and dropped quickly. Even though the sun was still out, the higher elevation, stiff winds, and exposed trail made me put on my 800 fill down, black Marmot jacket. I see Dino, DaVinci, Lady Moose, Bean Dip unfortunately walk by me south bound as they already summited. I gave them all a big hug and congratulated them for the accomplishment. But I was sort of sad that they didn't wait for the rest of us to some to the top of the peak. I was within the last couple hundred yards when my brother went ahead of me so he can take pictures and video of my final steps. I was excited, but not what I thought I would be. However, I can see the sign in the distance and that made my heart race and my mind wander. I went back in time and remembered when I first saw the plaque on Springer Mountain in Georgia 5 1/2 months ago, and how happy I was to begin this. The thought of actually being here....at the end, is just simply amazing, and something my brain just couldn't grasp. Stepping up to the tall wooden sign, where the biggest word was "Katahdin" along with others that told you the distance to Springer mountain to the south. I threw my trekking poles to the ground and without delay I pounded the sign, both hands with open palms, then grabbed the top while I gave it a big kiss for what seemed like a long time. I went to the back of the sign and climbed it. It was a bigger step than I imagined, but I was on top none-the-less. I stuck my poles in the air, with my backpack still attached to my body, and lifted both arms with extreme joy and excitement. A huge smile on my face as I let out a big yell while my brother took pictures. The only one at the summit at the time was Kamikaze. He informed us that he arrived there at around 6am, which was about 4 hours ago. I think he silently understood the importance of the finish, and he wanted to be there when everyone was done. And so did I. Kamikaze took a picture of my brother and I on top of the sign, and when we were finished I grabbed a few Duck Rabbit Milk Stouts out of my bag. My beer of choice that my dad brought up from North Carolina. I handed Kamikaze one, and my brother gave him a Cliff Bar, due to his comment of being starved. One by one, the thru-hikers stared coming up to the top. Goat, Gandolf, and to my great surprise Fresh and Stretch. They made it! They didn't even stay at the campground last night but got up at around 2 in the morning and hiked their asses off almost 20 miles to be at the top with us! I also gave his a milk stout and congratulated him. Rumor has it that, Flex was still coming up, so I took out my victory cigar that my brother brought and we lighted up!Flexs' summit was emotional. About 6 or 7 of her friends and family somehow secretly climbed the great mountain without her knowing. We all could see her coming and we started yelling her name and cheering. She was crying even before she saw her friends, but once she saw them then she really broke down. She climbed right on top of the sign and we all cheered as she popped Barefoot brand champagne and swigged a big glup, then she raised her hands in victory. At this point all of us thru-hikers gathered around the sign for one big group picture, most of us with some sort of adult beverage in hand. The feeling was just fantastic!The day was not over. We had to get back down which is another 5.2 miles. Downhill, as you know, isn¢t any easier especially on this mountain. I had the puffy black jacket on but quickly took it off as we entered back to the tree line and it basically got hot. Maybe a 20 degree difference. We planned to meet my daughter and parents back at the campground around 2 and we were right on schedule. My daughter and dad hiked about a half mile up the trail looking for us and headed back to a picnic table where Subway sandwiches and cookies were waiting. Not a better sight for me, as I nailed mine in about 2 minutes. It was time to leave the state park and drive the 4+ hours to Amesbury, Mass where my brother lives. I loaded the truck and said my goodbyes, and off I went. February 16th- August 9th, 2185.3 miles, 14 states. I¢m happy to be going home, but I know, just know, that I will be missing this. Maybe not tomorrow, but maybe in a month, end of the year, and definitely this time next year.I will be updating periodically some after trail thoughts. From the trail journals that I read last year, some of the best reading came from completed thru-hikers a month or 2 after. Let the journey settle in the head, and be able to look back and reflect on their accomplishment. Was very interesting reading. But I would like to take this time to thank all of you who have read my journal, typed up a hello on my guest book, sent me care packages, text, emails or just simply and importantly prayed. I loved all of that, and it kept me from being completely lonely on the trail. Thank You!Regrets I've had a fewBut then again too few to mentionI did what I had to doAnd saw it through without exemptionI planned each charted courseEach careful step along the bywayAnd more, much more than thisI did it my wayYes there were times I'm sure you knewWhen I bit off more than I could chewBut through it all when there was doubtI ate it up and spit it out, I faced it allAnd I stood tall and did it my wayI've loved, I've laughed and criedI've had my fill, my share of losingAnd now as tears subsideI find it all so amusingTo think I did all thatAnd may I say not in a shy wayOh no, oh no, not meI did it my wayFor what is a man what has he gotIf not himself then he has notTo say the things he truly feelsAnd not the words of one who kneelsThe record shows I took the blowsAnd did it my waySOTD: My way, -Frank SinatraLove all of ya!Rob ¢Figgy¢ Figulski