Date: 2007-08-28
From: Baxter State Park - Birches Lean-to

To: Mt Katahdin - Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

Diesel Summits Mt Katahdin - August 28, 2007, 11:40 AM.I didn't sleep well last night. I must have woke up a dozen times wondering why it wasn't light yet. It was the first time I remember not sleeping well in my tent, since the first week or two of my journey. Finally I woke up and heard Rockman and John Knee Mud already up and moving around. I got up and prepared for the final hike. I decided I would carry my pack, and leave most of my gear in a plastic bag at the Ranger Station. I only carried: 3 liters of water, snack food, rain jacket, camera, and a few other items. My pack weighed less than 15 lbs. and felt great. Castaway and Hangman got an early start and were already on their way up the hill when JKM, Rockman, and I signed in about 6:45 AM. The trail started out flat and smooth and then got steeper and full of rocks or roots. We passed Katahdin Stream Falls. Then the trail turned to mostly rock climbing for a couple miles. As we climbed the shies were clear and there were great views of some other mountains that looked big. By time we reached The Gateway Tableland, about 700 feet bellow the top, we were looking down on those mountains. JKM, Rockman, and I hiked together most of the way up. Wolverine who was still in his sleeping bag when we left this morning passed us on the way up. We saw Blue and Squeeks coming up behind us also. They could have easily passed us, but let us finish ahead of them. We met Castaway and Hangman on their way back down near Thoreau Spring. Then we hiked to Baxter Peak at the top of Mt Katahdin and took turns getting our picture taken by the famous sign marking the Northern Terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Then we took some group pictures. A man and his wife, whose trail name I can't remember, were sitting at the top after having completed their final section hike of the AT. They recognized me from Trailjournals. He took our group pictures with 6 of our cameras.We sat at the peak for about an hour and a half eating and talking about the journey. It was a beautiful day with winds about 5 to 10 mph, clear skies, and the temperature in the high 70s. It was a great day to end this awesome journey.Now the problem was we were 5 miles from the Ranger Station and our ride. We started down the hill as a group with me in front, but after a while everyone had passed me. I am very slow and careful on the steep rocky descents. Eventually John Knee Mud and Wolverine took a break and waited for me to catch up. I made it back to the campground at 3:20 PM. I saw Rodeo Clown, Trashbag, and Batman in the campground. Bat man had taken it easy in the 100 mile wilderness for a while and then hiked 28 miles yesterday. They will be completing their hikes tomorrow. They will start early to beat the expected afternoon rain. I hope tomorrow morning is as beautiful as today was. Paul (Ole Man), from the Appalachian Trail Lodge picked up 6 of us at 4:00 and drove us to Millinocket. Tomorrow we will all go in different directions and most of us will never see each other again or any of the other people that have made the past 6 months such a great adventure. I know previously I had thought reaching the top of Mt Katahdin would be very emotional and didn't understand how in the two books I read the authors felt no big emotions at the summit. Now I guess I understand a little better. Sure we were all excited to be at the summit today and it was great, but I wasn't overwhelmed with emotion. I think it is like so many days on the trail where you are so busy trying to get some place and taking in so many new experiences that your mind doesn't really focus on the big picture. I am sure this will mean a lot more as I read back through my journal entries and others journals and have time to think thing through.It doesn't even seem like it can be over yet. I can't believe nearly 6 months have passed by. I still have to find my way home and I am sure as everyone departs tomorrow things will start to sink in.Thank you to everyone I met on the trail, along the trail, and through this journal. You have all contributed greatly to the best adventure of my life.I plan to write a follow up summary, add pictures and videos, add some gear info, etc to this journal so check back over the next few weeks.