Date: 2009-07-23
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 10.4

Carolina, Big Boots, Easy Strider, and I began hiking at 7 a.m. this morning.   Last night Cabot, Squeak, and WD 40 rolled into the Birches and they actually started their quest for the summit earlier than we did.   Skies were overcast to begin the day and temperatures were pretty warm. I'd guess the lower to mid 60s.We paralleled Katahdin Stream and associated falls for the first mile or so. This is a dirt section of trail that stays relatively flat until just before the falls. The trail then transforms into a rock walk. The rocks evolve into boulders about 2.5 miles in and then all of a sudden you are looking at a huge, close-to vertical, boulder field. At this point Easy Strider suggested that Big Boots and I leave our hiking sticks behind. It was a very good idea. The climb up to the Tablelands required upper body strength like no other section of the trail. There were three or four boulders that had metal bars stuck into the rock face so you could climb but most lacked any special assistance. It was a tough climb. I think Carolina and I especially had knees and legs that were cut from the rocks. An awesome section of the trail is the Tablelands. At one point you are going up these huge boulders using all your strength and the next you are walking along a flat section of alpine land on flat rocks.   At the sign noting the beginning of the Tablelands you walk slightly uphill for under a mile. At this elevation (4500') we were in the clouds. There were a few breaks so that we had glimpses of blue sky. It was an awesome setting.After the Tablelands there is a rock hike to the summit. The rocks are nowhere near the size of the boulders below. The four of us could hear the shouts of WD 40, Squeak, and Cabot above celebrating. At that point I think it hit me that I was about to become an AT thru hiker. It wasn't too hard to keep walking. All of a sudden out of the fog and mist I saw the sign ahead at an angle. A glorious piece of wood that I'd seen in photos all along the trail. A sign that I thought about for 2178.3 plus miles, four plus months, and for on and off for years. I don't think there is an object on this earth that has meant more to me at any other point of my life. It may be only six pieces of wood but it is a symbol of achievement, perseverance, and joy (for northbounders anyway).The group celebrated! It was cool and windy on the summit. Temperatures were likely in the upper 40s with 20 knot gusts but it didn't matter. We hung around for an hour before leaving at 11.The odd thing is you become a thru hiker at the sign but you may not live to tell about it (Laugh at that comment if you must but people have needed assistance to get down). We took the AT back and this time our weather was a bit different. Skies were partly cloudy once we got to the Tablelands and we had some spectacular shots of the surrounding mountains and lakes. On the way up we all thought and vocalized, "Oh, this is going to be fun on the way down." To be honest it wasn't bad. My knees didn't have a problem going down. I used my arms to decrease the pounding. Easy Strider led us the final mile to camp. He may have been a little under 2 years removed from his thru hike but he could really move. We drove into Millinocket and had ice cream before the long drive home. Carolina stayed in Millinocket. Big Boots came back to Connecticut with me and Easy Strider. Right when we hit the NH/MA border, the rain poured from the sky and continued all the way home (fitting for this trip).Vincero!