Date: 2009-08-26
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Katahdin!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

I slept surprisingly well - I woke up at 4:45am and realized that was all the sleep I was going to get. I padded around the lean-to area, anxious, nervous, excited, feeling like I did when I was a kid and it was the morning we were heading to the beach - astonishment at the fact that the day finally arrived, that I was lucky enough to be going, and that nothing be greatness awaited when I arrived.The crew from last night met up around 6 and headed up the trail. James joined me - I've wanted him along this hike from the very beginning. We heard mixed reviews on the weather for the day, but it wasn't raining and that was all I needed. We made our way along the first few miles of trail - they were fairly typical and not very challenging. The sun seemed to be trying to bust out of the clouds, but I didn't hold my breath. James and I hiked together, a little behind Wags. We past some day hikers who noted that I was the one with the pack while James was without - "How'd you manage that?" the man asked James. I smiled to myself and thought, "Because I'm a badass. And it's 2009. And I've walked more miles than that to get here."We neared treeline, and the wind picked up. The clouds stitched together a little tighter. My stomach flip-flopped a little. Boulders stretched out in front of us. Wags, James and I gingerly made our way up. Eventually we were clouded in so much that we only had about 20 yards of visibility. The wind howled around us, and we ducked our heads and kept climbing. Then we reached the tableland and the wind immediately stopped for about 5 minutes. The next mile or so of hiking wasn't bad at all, except for the wind knocking us around like pinballs. We made our way along the top of the mountain unable to see much of anything.I had hiked in an unhurried fashion all morning. No need to set a time record. I wanted to revel in my glory and enjoy every minute of this wonderful day. However, I knew we had less than a mile to the summit, so I started straining my eyes anxious to catch a glimpse of this thing that I've hiked over 2000 miles to see. No Nails was in front of me, James behind, and Wags behind him. Suddenly, through the clouds I saw 4 figures huddled and the outline of a sign. "Oh. My. God," was all I could manage. I stopped in my tracks and stared. James took the camera, and Wags joined me in an astonished stare. It seemed like I stood, frozen for almost eternity. I wanted to both run to the sign and run away from it. I watched as others got their picture taken, and still couldn't bring myself to get near. Finally I realized it was time do the impossible - I reached out and touched the sign.I can't really articulate what ran through my head at that point. Pride, joy, sorrow, love, sacrifice, satisfaction, hunger, resilience, astonishment were all things I felt simultaneously. That's the best I can do to sum it up. If you really want to know what it feels like, you should do it yourself if you haven't already .After some amazing pictures, and some not so amazing pictures (wind, clouds, and hypothermic conditions can limit a photoshoot, I don't care what they say on ANTM!), we realized it would be best to head back. "You KNOW they're having a GORGEOUS day down there," I said. "And honestly, it wouldn't feel right if we had a beautiful day up here. This is the only way this amazing journey could end - with Max-Patchish weather."The descent, of course, was slow and painful. We made it down, though, and were welcomed by a "Congratulations" sign and cheers and food. We sat and began to enjoy life as alumni of the 2009 AT Thru-Hiker Class. I signed my last trail register. I made sure to thank everyone I've met, been inspired by, received trail magic from, been supported by, loved, hiked with, and been cheered on by. Thanks a million to every single person who has read my journal, thanks to everyone who has taken the time to sign my guestbook, thanks to all my friends and family who supported this when it was just a dream, thanks to James for "letting" me follow my dream, and thanks to God for giving me the strength to accomplish it!