Date: 2014-09-02
From: Katahdin Stream Campground (to Millinocket)

To: Katahdin, Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

What a day! We got up at 4:45 AM and headed out from Millinocket to Katahdin Stream Campground. We grabbed a couple of Dunkin Donuts and coffee enroute and made our way there in the dark. After an hour drive we pulled into the parking lot and Mike, Kim and I launched up the trail at 7 AM. We were wearing our packs but had only the essentials for the day in them: Food, water, gatorade, rain jackets, cold weather gear, camera, iPhone, and trekking poles.The trail quickly steepened and we switched to short sleeve shirts as we warmed up. The climb today started at 1106' and we would move up to 5268' over the next 5+ miles. My understanding was that the toughest part came at about the halfway point where we would not only be going up a steep incline but it would involve climbing boulders and using emplaced metal rebar handles to negotiate some tough spots. After a couple of hours, we were there and, with Kim in the lead, we started up. Kim more than held her own, disappearing quickly up the steep section (new trail name: Mountain goat) and I did not see her for the next 20 minutes as she pushed up through the narrow path through boulders tapping metal rebar briefly and moving on. Very impressive as Mike and I worked our way up behind her. After a few hours of hiking, we broke out on to The Tableland (see photos) and walked across a large expanse to a final climb up the ridge line and on to the peak. Mike and I stopped for a "last mile" photo and then we pushed on in perfect weather to finish the climb. We took our final steps together and were greeted by other hikers - Stakes, Cliffwalker, Gator, Scampi, Running Nose - all of us hugging at having completed our thru hike of the AT. We all lingered at the top for a while, taking it all in, eating our cold pizzas, Subway sandwiches, a beer or nip here and there, while laughing and talking and enjoying the moment. Needless to say we also took pictures in every possible combination. My three prize photos: Mike and me on the summit, Kim summits with me and our picture with other thru hikers. (Unfortunately only one can be posted here but the others are in the photo section).Soon it started getting cold, with the clouds rolling in. Here we decided to split up with Mike heading back the way we had come to meet up with Julia at the car and Kim and I deciding to do another route down the mountain. We said our goodbyes - 5 1/2 months of hiking with Mike with some fantastic moments; I could not have picked a better hiking bud - and Kim and I headed down the Saddle and made our way another 5+ miles back to Roaring Stream Campground where we hitched a ride with a couple of young hikers, Anthony and Tim, and got a ride back to our car.It has been an epic adventure. Thanks to all of you who read, commented and sent good thoughts my way - it made a real difference.Two dedications: I dedicate the final climb today to my mother who has taught me that if you stay positive, keep an open mind, keep moving forward and are willing to risk the unknown that much is possible. And that you can live very successful 2nd and 3rd lives in a single lifetime if you keep these things in mind. Thanks Mom, you're the best.And my entire AT thru hike I dedicate to my wife, Kim, who walked with me, supported me, and whose voice and comments made such a difference in keeping me going. (After watching her mountain goat Katahdin, I wonder if she was the one that should have done this thing.) Thanks Kim for being there and making this possible.