Date: 2007-10-07
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: few clouds

I CLIMBED KATAHDIN!!! I'VE COMPLETED THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL!!! Well, almost. Still have a bit of clean-up miles to do: One hundred eighteen miles in North Carolina/Tennessee and seven miles in New York, but that will be a victory lap which I'll finish up over the next month or so, but essentially, I'M DONE!!! It's taken five months, two weeks and six days of unbelievable views, easy trail and difficult terrain, rain, thunderstorms, and 100-degree heat, amazing people (thru-hikers, trail angels, town folks, family and friends); through spring, with no leaves on the trees and the blooming of rhodendron; through summer on mountains, in forests and across fields; and through fall, with the changing leaves, cool temperatures, and the excitement of accomplishing this feat. To quote the Greatful Dead, "what a long, strange trip it's been."It shouldn't come as a surprise that I didn't sleep much last night. The excitement of being so close to finishing kept me tossing and turning in the cramped shelter. I was wide awake at 4am, and got up and moving at 5am. While everyone else was asleep, I got the fire going, and went to meet Ally, who was driving up and bringing us all breakfast. She arrived around 6:30 (it took roughly 2 hours to get into the park and to find us) loaded-up with hamburgers and cheeseburgers from McDonalds, donuts, fruit and juice. We warmed up the burgers on the fire, packed up our gear and hit the trail for the final AT climb.Mt. Katahdin has been built up in my mind over the last several months as the most difficult climb on the trail, with over 4,000 feet of elevation gained and 2 1/2 miles of climbing above treeline. With the adrenaline pumping, I moved right up it without a problem, passing more than a dozen day hikers on the same route. It was a beautiful, challenging trail, quickly climbing above treeline and requiring careful steps and hand-over-hand climbing over the rocks. The weather was perfect, with 25-30 mph winds and temperatures in the 50's. With a clear sky, you could see for over 100 miles in all directions. I admired the views on the way up, but was more focused on moving forward to that final goal. Once I made it up The Chimney (the steepest and longest part of the ascent), the trail leveled out over Table Rocks, a long, flat stretch along a wide ridge leading to the final ascent. Along the way, my muscles were telling me they were tired, but my mind just wasn't processing the information. I didn't feel a thing. As I made the final ascent, I could see about two or three dozen people already on the top, including Team Ninja who had moved ahead of me. As they saw me approach, they and other day hikers cheered me on, and I broke into a jog over the rocky climb for the final few hundred yards of trail. I was feeling great, unbelievably excited and felt like I was floating as I neared the Katahdin sign - right up to the point when I fell flat on my face about 15 yards from the very top. Accompanied by good-natured laughter and encouragement, I didn't bother getting up and instead crawled the final distance, hugging the sign when I arrived. I'VE MADE IT!!!It was all hugs, high-fives and laughter on top. Despite the large number of day hikers waiting their turn to approach the sign on top, we monopolized the area, and with no regrets or guilt. This is our day, this is our mountain. Everyone else can wait. We popped several bottles of champagne, posed for pictures, and even played hacky sack on a bit of relatively flat ground. None of us could stop smiling. After an hour or so celebrating on top, we cruised down the mountain. Chatting with DogMan on the way down, we realized we didn't recognize much of the trail. We were so focused on getting to the top that we didn't comprehend or register just how steep and treacherous the climb was. It didn't matter. We moved down the trail quickly. Ally had a cold beer waiting at the bottom, with sandwiches and other food and drink waiting for us as well. It hasn't hit me yet that the journey is over. I know I've changed, though just how remains to be seen. I've learned that I can push my body physically - and especially mentally - much more than I ever thought possible. I feel much more independent. I can live with much less "stuff." I have a renewed and profound belief in the kindness and goodness of people, and realize that what someone does for a job, school, etc...doesn't matter when it comes to the type of person they are. I've also reawakened a deep and lasting appreciation for the natural beauty of this country, and feel a strong responsibility to maintaining that beauty (a stewardship, of sorts.) I could go on and on, but only time will tell what other lasting changes have taken place.Now it's time to try and readjust to the "real world." I'll be heading to the coast of Maine, near Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, to Mr. Talker Man's house to spend a few days with other thru-hikers to relax, recover and reminisce. There's plenty of immediate tasks ahead of me during the next month to keep me busy (getting my car back on the road, finishing up the final bits of trail, looking for and starting a job, exploring health insurance options and getting surgery, designing and getting a tattoo symbolizing my AT experience, visiting and thanking all my friends and family who's support and encouragement made this trip possible, etc... I'll add some entries to this journal as I complete the last few miles, work to get the rest of the pictures uploaded and update my equipment page for those who may wish to use my experience to help plan their future thru-hike. Having said that, this journal is coming to a close.All I can say is THANK YOU to everyone who has written in my guestbook, sent me packages along the way, visited or chatted with me over the phone or in person. I really couldn't have done this without you. As the saying goes, "People ARE the Trail." You're trail angels all, and I'm in your debt. I've attempted to keep this up-to-date, accurate and honest. I hope I haven't bored you, and I encourage you to check back for the last few updates, and to keep in touch. I can't wait to talk with each and every one of you. THANK YOU!