Date: 2018-07-13
From: The Birches

To: Mt Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

Yes I know-- I ended on Friday the 13th. I'm not superstitious but I definitely considered the implications of this date! Glad I ended when I did though.I woke up in the morning early around 4am to the sound of Ozzie packing up. He wanted to get out early so he could leave some gear at the ranger station to slack pack then get up the trail so that he would be able to grab a ride from my parents later on. I fell back asleep for a bit then woke up again around 5. I ran to the privy-- hopefully that's the last time I'll need to do that-- then slowly started packing. Breakfast this morning was a cinnamon bun poptart and a cinnamon bun. Sugar and carbs- the two essential food groups. I had the luxury of having breakfast in bed too.It was a nice cool morning, perfect for hiking. Blue skies were above and, man, we all couldn't have picked better weather. Hungry Cat was up and packing as well and around 545 I said my goodbyes to him. I wasn't sure how everything would work out so I didn't know if we'd meet at the top. We did the classic fist bump and wished each other happy trails. As I was walking away he said "oh, one more thing!" And he tossed a bag of M&Ms my way. I caught them and smiled. Not sure if he knew chocolate was my weakness. He said "for the top to celebrate." I thanked him and walked off thinking "man I love that guy." Haha my girlfriend even called me out for the man crush later on that day.I got to the Hunt trailhead and signed the register book there. Baxter Park is huge on signing in when you're hiking a trail for safety sake and I was happy to oblige with that. Shortly after 6 I was headed up the Hunt trail (AT) with 5 miles or so to the summit and the end. Crazy.The trail started off mild with nice terrain then rock staircases to avoid erosion. Eventually, it became a bit more interesting though. My friend had warned me it was a lot more bouldering than you'd expect and he was right. Similar to Mahoosuc Notch, trekking poles were really of no use. It took commitment on this trail. You had to commit to grabs or holds in order to get up some of the scrambles. It was at this point I was glad to hike it alone because of it's technicality.I caught up with Ozzie right before hitting a flatter section of trail above treeline called the tableland. We conversed on the difficulty of the trail but i know I really enjoyed it! Quite the way to end such a journey. On a monumental climb up a monumental mountain.I passed Thoreau Springs and a group of three day hikers. I secretly was hoping to have the summit to myself for a few minutes. The first view of the peak was amazing and the knifes edge looked awesome! A hike I'll definitely be doing in the future! I finally got a view of the infamous Katahdin sign and from there it was an easy climb. I approached the sign and took it all in quietly as I touched the sign. I felt no need to yell or celebrate like crazy. It was more reflective and having the summit to myself for a few minutes gave me that opportunity. I touched he sign, looked at it for a minute then put my pack down and sat on a rock admiring the immediate beauty and the beauty I had seen throughout the last 4 months along the east coast. I thought about how immensly hard it had all been but how all that difficulty accumulates into utter satisfaction for having accomplished a journey so arduous. The feeling of finally experiencing the type 2 fun aspect.I sat there for a while. I ate the M&Ms Hungry Cat had given me and enjoyed some other snacks. The group of day hikers arrived and I asked if I could bother them for a few pictures. "Of course" they said. I didn't want a big scene. Ozzie made it up shortly after and we took plenty of pictures for him including ones for his wife who's birthday was today. He had made a sign saying "Happy Birthday Julie" back at the campground. We also took pictures with his Vietnam Vet hat and shirt for his fellow infantrymen! It was fun.Next came Hungry Cat who got up top and kissed the sign. It was hard being at the top because I didn't want to disturb everyone's moment. They deserve the same type of time I had to reflect so I wanted to give them that opportunity. Hungry Cat ate some snacks and we got a bunch of pictures of him as well. Another hiker had showed up as well. He was named Mainer and had finished the AT not too long ago and was number 14 for the year. He had decided to hike up Katahdin again as a day hike. He gave Hungry Cat and I Skittles. Thanks Mainer!I sat up there a bit longer to see Frank finish. He only wanted one picture then was ready to be down. I pushed him to jump in a picture with Hungry Cat and I next to the sign and he did somewhat begrudgingly!What an amazing experience up top. We lucked out 100% with weather and had awesome views. No real wind at all and I was able to sit up there in a t-shirt for about 15 minutes before getting cold enough to put on my quarter zip but not really cold much at all. We also lucked out with the summit popularity. There weren't too many people up there that early. When we began the descent down the blue blazed Abol Trail there were tons of people heading up to the peak.I kept getting asked if I was part of some hiking group on the way down the trail. I would say no then kind of mumble "no, I was just finishing the AT." I wanted to say it casually so that nobody would make a scene. Everyone congratulated me and I appreciated it but at that point I was ready to be down. The adrenaline had worn off and I was tired. I wanted to be able to finally tell my body to rest after four tough months but still had 3 miles to the base. Wheres the helicopter pickup when you need it?I also got the question "how was the AT?" How do I even begin to answer that? Amazing, beautiful, torturous, challenging, hot, cold, the hardest thing I've ever done in my life and also the most amazing thing I've ever experienced. There was just no way to simply answer that question and I actually really dreaded that question. I would just spit out a variety of adjectives then say "well the guys behind me are also finishing. One triple crowned, one is 40 and the other is 68." I was just the 22 year old who had hiked it-- they all really were the cooler ones on the mountain. With that I would hike on and they would congratulate the others. I'm sure Frank hated that I told everyone he was triple crowning because he dreads social interaction. It kind of made me smile but all in good fun.I got further down the mountain and all of a sudden found the word "Phil" written in sticks in two spots on trail. It was a bit creepy but I figured my parents or abby had written it. I pulled out my phone to take a picture of it and I heard a squeal ahead. Abby was waiting with my dad a little ways up and had spotted me finally. I hauled it around the corner and hugged them both-- really happy to see them. We laughed about the sticks my dad had written my name in then hiked down together. Only a little ways up we met up with my mom who had returned to the car for her phone to make sure I was coming down this way. I had made them wait a bit longer than expected. Sorry! We hugged then the four of us finished off the hike to the Abol Campground. They had packed a bunch of drinks and snacks for me and we began by devouring those.Frank, Ozzie and Hungry Cat all showed up down here shortly after and took advantage of the food as well. Hungry Cat had heard my dad say my real name and goes "oh is your name Phil?" I said yes and he said "that would explain why 'Phil' was written in sticks back there!" My dad thought this was hilarious and it is. I had no idea Hungry Cats real name either until he told me after all this.We all needed to get into Millinocket in a Toyota Camry so I opted for my parents to take the three of them into town first then come back and grab Abby and myself. They were happy to do so and they departed with the crew after we said our byes. Crazy to think we were all done and that this was the last time I'd see them.Abby and I hung out on the porch of the ranger station in the beautiful afternoon sun. I drank my rootbeer as I rocked in the rocking chair and soaked it all in. I didn't have to rush to town to resupply, shower, do laundry and try to have time to relax. It didn't matter anymore. It was an amazingly weird feeling. Bittersweet to an extent for sure. We sat here for a bit as the crew was able to find hotel rooms in town. My parents came back for us and on the way out of the park I passed in my long distance hiking pass. The final step. On the way into town we stopped at the Sawmill bar and grill for food and beers. I soaked in the last few hours in crappy, smelly clothes where I would be accepted as a thru hiker. I know they say "once a thru hiker always, a thru hiker" but it will definitely feel different.We got into town and relaxed at the hotel for a majority of the afternoon where I could shower and put my feet up. I was so happy to be surrounded by my parents and Abby comfortable and having accomplished a tremendous goal I set for myself. The bud lights my mom brought tasted so amazing.We went out for dinner later on downtown then got back and watched Harry Potter. It was Harry Potter weekend-- my favorite! What a great ending day! I didn't sleep exceptionally well but got some rest. I think it'll take a bit to get a good sleep and fully rest. I thought about it and technically I haven't slept in the same bed for more than two nights the past 4 months. That is, unless you count my sleeping bag. It'll be strange knowing where I'm sleeping every night and being in the same bed.In the morning we met up with Ozzie at the hotel breakfast then we all went downtown to the Appalachian Trail Cafe. Ozzie and I were able to sign a ceiling tile as having completed the trail and I signed near Hungry Cat and Green Grass. It was a cool way to leave my mark as I looked up at all the other hikers who had done the same. My parents kindly bought me some AT memorabilia then we drove Ozzie to Bangor so he could catch a flight tomorrow back home. From Bangor, we drove home. Back to reality.P.S: I want to sincerely thank all of you who commented on the guest book. I want you to know I read them all and I am so grateful you all kept up with me and my hike. It's fairly strange learning how many people actually read this but I love it! To those of you planning a thru hike, good luck! Let me know if you have any questions. I'm no expert, I'm not ultra lite but I suppose I may be able to assist somehow. Anyone curious can find me on Facebook under my real name "Philip Sheehy." There I'll be posting a bunch more photos (like a ton!) And I'd love to have you see them. I may upload some on this site but honestly it's so difficult that I probably won't.Also important! Stay tuned for a final wrap up essay of sorts (I hate saying essay because it sounds too schooly). I'll be reflecting on the trip in a huge variety of ways and I hope to post it on here as my final journal once I type it up in the next week or so at home.Thank you again to everyone that supported me this entire journey. Of course my parents, Abby, friends and others I know. You guys are awesome! Thank you to the AT community, trail maintainers, trail angels, businesses along the way and to all the other hikers that truly make the AT the type of trail it is. I'll miss the comradery and acceptance we all had for each other and the world but I know a lot of that will transfer into real life. Happy Trails!