Date: 2007-10-06
From: Rainbow Ledges

To: Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 15.9
Weather: overcast clouds

This is it. Only 36 hours until this journey is over. Everyone was up before dawn (I've never seen that happen before), excited, and eager to see the sunrise. There's a great view of Katahdin from the ledges. Unfortunately, sunrise was a bust. Don't get me wrong, there was a sunrise (we'd all have much larger problems if there wasn't), but it wasn't nearly as pretty and spectacular as we'd hoped. By 7 am everyone was headed down the Ledges, aiming for the camp store at Abol Bridge. This is the first store we've come to since leaving Monson nearly a week ago.I was the last to arrive at 9:30. The rest of Ninja had already consumed sandwiches, cookies, chips and (of course) beer. I felt it my duty - my responsibility - to catch up with them.We were hanging out there for a very good reason. Both Joker's parents and sisters, Doc and Crocket's perents and sister, and Root Down were meeting us there. And bringing more food. Real food. Soon enough everyone arrived, and the party really got going. More booze, cheese, crackers, pepperoni and fresh fruit, pictures from earlier in the hike, a whiffle ball game, and talking about the "next big trip" and reunions dominated the late morning and early afternoon. Finally, around 2pm, I decided to start the final 10 miles into Baxter State Park and the base of Katahdin. We had made reservations earlier that morning for spots at The Birtches - a shelter at the park. They only set aside 12 spaces for thru-hikers. If you don't get one of them, then you have to camp outside the park (a 15-mile one-way trip to the top of Katahdin) or spend the night in Millinocket twenty miles away and get a ride into the park in the morning. I was making great time on the hike, with a flat trail, flanked yh a beautiful stream. Eager to get to the shelter (especially before dark for once), I was moving at a 3 1/2 mph pace. I also had some help from beer muscles, I have to admit, hiking with a pretty good buzz.Three-fourths of the way through, my enjoyment came to an abrupt halt when I rolled my ankle. I really did a number on it. But I've learned the best medicine is to hike it off, despite the pain. Plus, this close, we've all decided that even if we break a leg, lose an arm, or have a sucking chest wound, we were going to make it to the top of Katahdin. Nothing was going to stop us. Limping for awhile, I still made it to the camp around 5:30.Immediately I ran ito Rex and other thru-hikers I've met along the way (but haven't seen for awhile) who had climbed Katahdin today and were saying their goodbyes. Baxter State Park was packed with weekend hikers, campers and kayakers, thanks to the Columbus Day Weekend and Canadian Thanksgiving.Joker eventually pulled in, and we got a fire going, waiting for the rest of the crew. It's 9:30 now, it's been dark for 3 hours, and still no sign of them. It's our guess that they didn't leave Abol Bridge until 6pm or so, and are enjoying beers they've pakced out as they night hike. Both Joker and I are a bit disappointed, hoping to hang out with everyone this final night on the trail. They'll probably wake us up when they finally roll in. But for now, it's off to the sleeping bag, with a 5am wake-up call and a final 5.2 miles (and over 4,000 feet of elevation gained) to the top of Mt. Katahdin and the end of the trail. Later that night: The rest of Ninja stumbled in around 10:30. They certainly enjoyed the beer they were hiking with, which was pretty obvious. They were courteous enough to have each saved a beer for Joker and myself, which we greatly enjoyed now that were were awake again. They also brought hotdogs, which we roasted once we got the fire going again. Eventually everyone passed out, though I doubt I'll get much sleep tonight. Just too excited!!!Conversation of the evening as a hiker wandered through the camp...Doc: Are you from India?Hiker (with thick english accent): No, mate, I'm from England.Doc: Oh, that's a nice town.