Date: 2013-09-12
From: Rainbow Lake camp

To: Abol bridge
Miles today: 10.5

9.12.13 Thursday - day 165Rainbow lake camp - Abol bridge10.5 miles - 6.5 hoursRain on off last night, could hear barking of red squirrels all morning. Shorter day so slept in a bit, cooked extra rice side for breakfast. Packed up wet tent, down to shore for water from spring, a loon swims from right to left 25 yards out, sky is bright, sun behind clouds, so quiet peaceful. Leaves still wet, i dint bother to put on my pack cover since it has big rip across it from Forth mountain. Its funny how the closer i get to the end, the more gear starts to fail. Why couldn't it last just one more week when I'll be done? Holes in pockets, zippers falling off track, frayed laces, belts busting, stove starter doesn't spark and more. Trail nice & muddy, wet after the rain, frogs, toads jump away as we approach. some mosquitoes hover around. Terrain is rough as usual, last day in 100 mile wilderness i feel way sluggish despite larger dinner & hot breakfast this morning. Fatigue must be accumulating, not only physically, i noticed felt more irritable last 2 days. Roots per mile is at its most dense in this stretch, slip a couple times, didn't fall. Round microwave sized rocks protrude from 5 inch deep moving water. The algae growing on its tops make it more slick. We carefully rock hop across to the last lean-to in the wilderness. Octagon comments trail is trying to injure us before we can reach Katahdin, i don't disagree, seems like its been more treacherous in wilderness than any other hundred mile stretch. It is empty as expected. Kinda dark & drab inside, creepy. Some accumulation of trash underneath & shelf holds ointments, toiletries, rope etc, probably from sobos lightening pack for wilderness. Later we reach sign, same as we saw at the entrance of wilderness, though this one is worn & discolored. Out of forest onto Golden road, survived 100 mile wilderness! Turn right then onto famed Abol bridge, couple books, blogs describe this moment as so magical, grand, emotional at sight of Katahdin to the left. Unfortunately, the clouds envelope top half of the mountain, though I'm not let down, really learned that you have to take what mother nature gives you, I hurry across bridge as rain picking up, reach general store where our ride awaits. Bought a cold Pepsi, so funny how many hikers, me included, mention they never drink soda back home but on trail crave it so much and have to down liters of it in each town. Will be hard to kick the habit. Ride to Millenocket, get showered, laundry, dry tents in room for last time on this trip. To Appalachian Trail Cafe, Barbarosa is there! He Summitted today day, told us about the climb up Katahdin, happy to be done, we exchange stories, wish him well on his journey home, great to have been constantly crossing paths all this time, great to have caught him before leaving. Cafe has tradition when thru hikers complete trail, you sign name on ceiling tile. I see alot of familiar names on it already. My name will have to wait another a little longer. Artwork & decorations all trail themed, much of it humorous. Homemade doughnuts are huge & excellent, i had a plain, pumpkin spice, chocolate. They make a thru hiker sundae - 14 scoops ice cream, one for each trail state, Snickers bar, chocolate sauce, doughnut & other toppings, huge, if single person eats gets free stuff & signs the pole of fame, one guy did in 8 minutes! I know better then to try. Back to hotel, had some Covered Bridge lobster potato chips, a Long Trail IPA then early to bed.Getting warm...