Date: 2007-09-19
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt. Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

He did it!!!!!!!!Circadian summited Mt. Katahdin today. He promises to update everyone, in his own words soon. He's still in shock. I'm still in shock.......but all that matters is that he completed this remarkable journey. We thank everyone.love, Carissa Hi!Well, today is the big day! As I laid in my sleeping bag this morning waiting for the right moment to brave the morning air I thought, This Is It. This is the day I've been hiking towards since March 31st. It has been a great journey for me. I've met many good people, spent time with old friends, made some new ones and walked most of the East Coast in the process. I've watched the woods change from early spring to early fall, hiked in snow, rain, hail and sun. I've climbed the Balds of Georgia, North Carolina and Tennessee, walked the ridges of the Smokies, Blue Ridge and Shenandoahs, braved the rocks of Pennsylvania, the heat and humidity of New Jersey and New York, and battled the mosquitos of Connecticut and Massachusetts. I soaked up the beauty of Vermont's Green Mountains and farm stands, and leaned into the wind of New Hampshire's White Mountains Finally, I made my way through the varying terrian of Maine's granite peaks, swift streams, mountain bogs and glacial ponds towards the lone sentinel of the Northern most terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Today I would be climbing Mount Katahdin to Baxter Peak, two thousand one hundred and seventy four miles from Springer Mountain. I got up and started to pack up my gear and again stopped and thought, I won't be doing this tomorrow either. I ate a quick breakfast made sure I had enough water and began my hike. The Gimp had left before me and Chach was just starting out. The trail slowly rose above the treeline but not before it passed Katahdin Falls (see photos). There were a few areas that required a little bouldering which was fun and some plateaus that offered me the chance to rest and take in the views. After and hour or so I reached the tablelands and Thoreau Spring which I walked right by. I guess I was so focused on Baxter Peak that I had the blinders on. As I approached the summit I crossed paths with Mr. Easy and his friends from GA. They had gotten up at two a.m., climbed to Baxter Peak and watched the sunrise. I had to give them credit. We had a perfect day with light winds and good visibility! Finally, at about 10:30 a.m., I took my final steps of the Appalachian Trail. After a few pictures and congratulating the other thru hikers on top, I took a few minutes to myself. I thanked my father for looking out for me and placed the fly fishing "fly" he had tied, and that I had worn on my hat from Georgia, on the summit sign. I then placed the two rocks I carried from Springer Mountain from my son Matthew and daughter Emelia on the sign. I then took four small rocks from the top of Katahdin which I will give to my children and wife. Someday I hope they will stand where I am today and maybe they will feel some of what I'm feeling today. I spent some time celebrating with The Gimp, Chuckles, Mouse Trap, Usual Suspect and Chach. The views were incredible! We could see for miles in every direction and the view of the Knife Edge and down into Chimney Pond was truly awesome (see photos). After awhile I said my good byes and started down. Because I had my pack with me I did not have to hike back down to Katahdin Stream Campground to retrieve it. This allowed me the opportunity to hike across the very exposed Knife Edge Trail and then down the Dudley Trail to Chimney Pond. The hiking would not be easy but I was psyched just the same. It had been many years since I had been on Katahdin and I was looking forward to retracing my original steps which included the Knife Edge and Dudley trail. The trail was just as exposed and challenging as I remembered with lots of scrambling and some bouldering. About halfway through the Knife Edge Trail I stopped to take a break. Just as I was about to start out again Chuckles came climbing down the trail. We hung out for a bit and took a few action shots and then began our descent down the very steep Dudley trail. It was great to have Chuckles as company especially on this last section which was a little treacherous. We took our time and talked about the trail and our experieces, trying to process the whole journey. After a very long descent we walked down into Chimney Pond and looked up to where we had come from. We were both amazed and tired. After a short break we kept on to Roaring Brook where Chuckles mother and father kindly gave me a ride to Millinocket, ME. Thank you Chuckles! I immediately went to the Appalachian Trail Cafe and had a nice meal. Afterwards, I was given a ride by Jamie, a former thru hiker and now hostel owner, to the A.T. Lodge where I quickly found a bunk, showered and crashed. As I lay in bed, drifting off to sleep, I thought to myself- I am done!I want to thank my best friend, my wife Carissa, for supporting me through my entire journey. You are an amazing person and I will always be grateful that we found each other. Thank you for being brave enough to care for our children and keep them safe, thank you for your kindness, support and love which kept me going. I Will!!!