Date: 2017-09-24
From: The Birches Shelter

To: The Summit of Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It's hard to capture this last day.  It's only a five mile climb up (and five down) but it's some of the steepest rock climbs we've undertaken so far.  After the fact there was much discussion about whether Katahdin was the hardest climb of the entire trail - I fell on the side of yes.  At the same time there was an excitement that seemed to make the climb more manageable - maybe some adrenalin flowing, knowing this was the final hurdle.The first couple of miles are relatively easy; a shallow grade up on trails that are pretty easy to walk.  And then the rocks come and it's a very vertical rock scramble seemingly straight up the mountain.  there are places where there are re-bar ladders and hand holds and some places where there should have been.  The final mile is a constant up along a rocky trail - walking, not climbing but still hard because of the rocky tread.For all of the climb we had been in the sun and it was pleasant, weatherwise. But as we approached the summit clouds rolled in and covered the top of the mountain.  They were so thick it became difficult to see the rock cairns guiding us to the top and we literally walked in a fog wondering when we'd reach the end.  Before too long I heard the noise of a gathering of people and knew I had made it.There's a funny thng that happens at the top.  The top has a saw horse sign proclaiming KATAHDIN and as I approached I felt like I had to walk up and touch the sign - I stood there (2190.3 miles later) and laid my hand flat on the sign.  I wasn't the only crazy person because as I watched other through hikers come to the summit they all did the same thing.There were about 40 people at the summit when I got there - almost all were day hikers.  But we congregated with a handful of through hikers and enjoyed the moment.  We snacked, took pictures, shared some stories - all with a profound sense of satisfaction and relief that the journey was over.  Already, I have to admit, I was thinking about how much I'll miss the people I've met along the way.I made a big mistake on the way down.  Foggy and his daughter and son (who joined us at the top after taking a different trail up) wanted to go down the Knife's Edge.  I agreed, not knowing any better.  I quickly added Knife's Edge to the list of trail names (including Jacob's Ladder and Stairway to Heaven) that one should never hike, if you know what's good for you. The trail took us along a very long ridge made up entirely of a jumble of rocks that made up the summit ridge.  The rocks narrowed to points a couple feet across and I think I crawled more than walked down the thing.  After we left the ridge line we continued down for a total of just over five miles of pretty brutal rock scrambles.  I have to say that it wasn't fun.  I'm glad that I did it but I'd never do it again.After a very long day I was safe and sound at the bottom and for the most part the trail is done for me.  I still have to go back to Virginia to finish the sixty or so miles I skipped when I injured my hip but that feels more like after school detention than a true part of the trail.  In my head I'm done.  Up until now when a day hiker asked me along the trail whether I was a thru-hiker I would always say that I was trying to be one, but now I am one. And what an experience it's been.