Date: 2014-08-19
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mount Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2

WE DID IT! We climbed up and down Mount Katahdin and finished the Appalachian Trail! We started together as a father-son pair and it was only fitting that we finished as father and son! More excitement later on - here is what happened today!An early start was required for the day - not because of the mountain necessarily but because the park would give away our parking pass if we didn't get to the gate before 7 am! So we picked up Hoss and DFI before six and got there in plenty of time - no one complained of rising early since we were all excited - TODAY IS THE DAY!And it looks like it is going to be near perfect today - the sky is clear and the sun is shining and it looks awesome up there! It is a bit windy so we will see if that is a factor up higher or not. Still glad we waited until today to go up - couldn't ask for much better weather to climb Katahdin!Upon arriving at the parking lot we found it to be packed with cars and people - everyone is wanting to go up the mountain with this nice weather! As we were getting our stuff ready Chocolate and Cheese walked up and chatted with us - glad they made it to the end and will be finishing up them! They were doing well and were also excited to be finishing - what hiker wouldn't be?! We lucked out on our finish - we summited on a nice day with many familiar faces and my dad and sister! Couldn't ask for a better finish to this incredible journey!We signed in at the trailhead and were officially on the clock - time for some climbing! Well at least after a mile and a half of hiking - the trail up to Katahdin Stream Falls was pretty nice and only gradually going up in elevation. It was a nice warm up walk to get our legs working and prepped for climbing. The falls were pretty neat to see and the water was so clear! Got to love that mountain water - crisp and clean! Also passed the last outhouse of the AT - we didn't use it on the way up we didn't feel the need to use another privy.From the falls up we started to get into more rocky terrain - not serious rocks but small rocks mixed with big rocks to climb over as we started climbing more upwards. Along the way up we were passing all sorts of day hikers - young, old, families, individuals. Cool to see so many people out and about! During this initial climbing Big Dawg's foot was feeling fine - a good sign but we still had a lot more to go!The real tough trail didn't appear until after we cleared the treeline and got into the continuous big rocks. Boy was it windy right after the treeline! It was whipping through that area and we got backed up at one section where people were having a hard time climbing up a tough spot with Rebar hand and foot holds. It was a bit of a stretch climbing that little bit especially with the wind! But we cleared that section and continued on into the boulders.Above the treeline was where the tougher climbing came into play - the trail became mostly big rocks instead of dirt and the blazes led you up, over, around, and through rock fields. It was almost like the Mahoosuc Notch but not near as many boulders in the way. During this section we were taking time so we didn't overexert Big Dawg's foot - still more hiking to do!I thought it was really cool climbing up rocks and finding the best path through this section - added another level of difficulty to the climb and we stepped up to the challenge! Also since I could hardly contain my excitement of climbing the last mountain on the AT I had to prevent myself from leaving Big Dawg and Hello Kitty behind - sometimes I would climb up a lot faster than them!We reached a short flat spot on the way up and had a nice rest before tackling the steepest part of the climb. It was a lot less windy higher up and it was comfortable sitting in the sun while resting and taking in the views. Love the views from bald peaks - you can see so far in all directions! Once again waiting for today was the right choice - the good weather allowed us to get these great views!The last steep section had some tricky climbs up to the Tablelands - requiring stretching out far like a kitty cat or stepping into little rock ledges and a lot of rock climbing - hiking poles were basically useless going up through this section! Along the way up we met Deep Blue and Handsome Dan finishing up their journeys - Deep Blue was from Lafayette, IN and was returning to Purdue sometime soon. Perhaps I will see him around!We conquered the climbing and made it to the gateway to the Tablelands - so named since it is a fairly flatish section before doing the last little climb up to Katahdin. Lots of rocks spread throughout the area and you could see pretty far across the Tablelands - it angled up slightly but not enough to obscure the views. And you could also see Katahdin from here - the peak is so near!The walking along the Tablelands was much nicer than the last section and we made a little bit better time - we were treading carefully since Big Dawg's foot was sore after all that climbing. I ended up getting a little bit ahead of them but soon we were almost at our goal - I could see the sign and I stopped to wait for Big Dawg and Hello Kitty. There was no way I would summit without them - doing this as a family and since we all went to Springer together we needed to finish together!And then we were there - the top of Katahdin, Baxter Peak, the northern terminus of the AT! Making it to the top was a glorious feeling and it was so awesome being up there with Big Dawg and Hello Kitty and Hoss and DFI and Chocolate and Cheese - high fives and congrats and hugs were given all around! Big Dawg barely made it up to the top but he did and it was a great accomplishment - he knew it was going to be tough and hurt but he gave it his all and made it! So glad he was up there with me today!Almost a surreal feeling to be up there - the sign we had seen so many pictures of was standing proudly on the mountain along with many satisfied hikers who made it to the top. We rested a little bit then went over and got our customary photos with the sign - proud to be one of many thru-hikers who have touched, stood on, and kissed the sign! Lots of thru-hikers up at the top today! About 20 thrus were up there at one time and the excitement was contagious - Hoss definitely kept it lively up there! Eventually someone called for a group photo with all thru-hikers around the sign and we all gathered in and smiled for the camera - I think we would be hard pressed to find a hiker not smiling up there!Such awesome views from the top as well! While we rested and lunched at the top we took in the beauty of the landscape below along with Pamola Peak and the Knife's Edge - appropriately named it looked real narrow! After summiting many hikers just sat there and absorbed it all - we were at the top for about an hour chatting with everyone, giving congrats, and just enjoying the views before we had to head back down.And the big thing: WE COMPLETED AN AT THRU-HIKE! 2185.3 miles hiked from Springer Mountain to Mount Katahdin, Georgia to Maine, through 14 states and over 5 months! Hard to believe we actually did it and now it was over - glad to have reached the goal but sad to be leaving the trail family and trail community - it is going to be real different the next couple of days.From the top we only had one way to go - downwards! Even though we knew what to expect from the trail it was still a tough climb down. It wasn't as bad as I thought it might be but there were still several spots where I had to stop and think of how to best get down. We took our time since Big Dawg had some sore paws from the climb up - we figured if worse came to worse we could get him down somehow! I did have a scary moment - the wind blew my hat off and I thought it was gone for good! Luckily it landed on some rocks and I was able to.retrieve it and one of the pins that had popped off on the landing. Once we returned below the treeline we could make better time and the trail returned to somewhat easier terrain to traverse until we got down to the outhouse. Hello Kitty did utilize the privy and we got a little rest before doing the final stroll into the campground. We met up with Trail Mamma and enjoyed some sodas and rested while waiting for the Ranger Station to open up - gotta make the journey official! We celebrated down at the bottom with Mom and told her about the trip up and down and the impressive views!The rangers returned and we went to register - we ended up as thru-hikers 272 and 273! Almost the same as at Harpers Ferry - 259 and 260 there. Turns out Chocolate and Cheese ended up with 259 and 260 so we joked about trading with them. But in the end the number isn't important - WE DID IT!After settling in we gathered the Swiss and Rodeo and drove them into town. We had just met Rodeo at the summit and she was a nice girl from Virginia who had walked 1000 miles with her beagle before he had to get off - impressive for a beagle! On the way into town we talked about future plans and had a good time. We dropped them off and then returned to the hotel to shower and clean up for dinner at 7 at the Pelletiers!We picked up the Swiss and had a great time at dinner at the Pelletiers. We ran into DFI and his family finishing up their meal with Hoss. We also saw Ragnar and Rodeo finishing up their meal as we were getting seated. He climbed yesterday and was really glad that Big Dawg was able to make it up to the top. We ran into him at Andover when Big Dawg had to get off so he knew how hard it was for Dad to leave. Good seeing him again and his successful completion of the trail!While we were waiting for the food we went over as a group and signed the ceiling tile in the AT Cafe - our trip is now in the official records! It will be cool coming back years later and seeing the tile! We returned to the Pelletiers and enjoyed the meal with the Swiss and Hoss the rest of the evening. As the evening got later everyone was getting tired so it was time for farewells - said goodbye to Ragnar, Rodeo, and Hoss at the restaurant and the Swiss at their hotel. It was tough seeing everyone go there separate ways but I am glad to have met all these hikers along the trail! We wished each other well and then it was time for us to get ready for our own adventure home - 21 hours back to Indiana!And so ends this journey - it has been quite a ride but I am glad I got the opportunity to do this trip with my father. I will be writing up my post trail reflections on the way home so look for those soon. Thanks for following along and happy trails!