Date: 2008-08-18
From: The Birches ÃÂÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ Baxter State Park ME 

To: On the Way Home!
Miles today: 5.2

Day 183 Monday August 18 ¢ Katahdin !!! - Miles Today: 5.2 Total Miles: 2176.2WOO HOO - WE DID IT!!!!!!!!! Last night was pretty much a sleepless night. Unfortunately, it wasn't the excitement of the upcoming summit that kept us awake but more our screaming feet. It didn't matter though because we knew our adrenalin would carry us up the mountain and that it did. We were up at 4:00 and hiking by 5:00, feeling naked with just daypacks on. The first hour was pretty much a normal easy hiking trail. The next 2 hours were slow going. It was time to put the hiking sticks away, as we climbed up, over and around boulders, lowering ourselves down or pulling our bodies up as needed. It was quite strenuous on our arms and shoulders, but fun! Boy were we glad that the rocks were dry. Then the last 45 minutes to the summit was what, I believe, they call 'the table'. The table was pretty easy walking. We could see the final summit and official sign announcing the end of our adventure, so very cool. Brakeman filmed Grasshopper walking those last few steps to the sign. WE DID IT! Although the emotions of complete joy were running, it was not nearly as emotional as we thought. Tears were contained but fist pumps in the air and shouts of joy were abundant. Perhaps Grasshopper had shed all her tears yesterday when we received a ¢standing ovation¢ by the other hikers.We were the first AT thru-hikers at the summit this morning. One other gentleman was there when we arrived. He came up a different trail and has a goal of summiting the tallest mountain in each state. He left shortly after we arrived, giving us time to enjoy the summit to ourselves.Next up the trail was the German, Rhino. He was on our tail as we neared the summit, causing us to nearly run the last half hour so that we could be the first ones there and have the sign to ourselves. He arrived with no pack, no water, no additional clothing and no camera. He took a picture of both of us for us, standing behind the infamous sign. We offered to take his picture and mail it to him, but he declined. I guess he will always have his memories in his mind. He did not stay long at the top. His dog was waiting for him. It was time to go get him. The next thru-hikers to arrive were Hamburglar and Pippi, who we recognized, but really did not know. We cheered and clapped as they reached the sign and took their pictures. We then departed so that they could have their own quiet time at the summit. We had spent about a half hour up at the top; it was time to turn it over to others. Later we would find their online journal and read about their many challenges - they had to skip the section from the closed Kennebec River to Monson due to the unsafe high waters. They thought they would have to shuttle around the 100 Mile Wilderness as well, but at the last moment heard the same news that we heard ¢ that sobos are getting through the wilderness. So they set off for the 100 Mile Wilderness the same day as us. This year is full of challenges for everyone, it seems.As tradition dictates, we left our rock at Kahtadin. Ours was from Conneaut Lake - a neat little one that Mr. & Mrs. Grasshopper brought us when we visited with them in Pine Grove Furnace State Park in Pennsylvania. We carried it from Pine Grove to Kahtadin, heaving it in the air shortly after we left the summit. We almost forgot to leave it behind! On the way down, we met 5 Bags and then shortly thereafter Mr. & Mrs. 5 Bags. When we greeted them, we said, ¢Hello, you must be Mr. & Mrs. 5 Bags.¢ Their faces lit up with smiles. We complimented them on their fine son and introduced ourselves as ¢Grasshopper and Brakeman.¢ They knew the name; obviously 5 Bags had shared the story of our bonding experience stuck behind the impassable West Branch of the Piscataquis River. They were young and athletic looking. The climb to the summit was well within their comfort zone, unlike so many others we saw headed up today.We made our way back down the rocks and boulders and eventually through the woods, back to the trailhead. Just as we exited the woods, we looked down the lane and saw Mr. & Mrs. Grasshopper walking toward us. They were headed to the sign-in sheet to see when we had started up the mountain. Upon seeing us, their arms were first raised in victory and then wrapped around us for congratulatory hugs. It was so very sweet to finish the trail and get immediate hugs from them. What timing!We gathered our backpacks from the Rangers office and headed to the stream to freshen up. Both Mr. & Mrs. Grasshopper had quite a bit of humorous curiosity about the whole business of freshening up in a stream. Our bandana bath was captured via many clicks of the camera lens. What was unique for them had become second nature to us, after living in the woods for 5 months and 1 week. Is this not how everyone freshens up after a day of work?Once freshened up, and dressed in shorts and t-shirts that we have not worn everyday for 5 months, we headed back to the car and began the 5 hour drive to just over the New Hampshire border (Y A W N - and there's our final yawn for you) to a motel where we will spend the night. That is, once Grasshopper figures out how to back the car out of the Baxter State Park parking lot, we¢ll be on our way! Gosh, these cars seem HUGE, after not haven driven for a few months. Brakeman is feeling good ¢ a dinner planned at Burger King and a continental breakfast waiting for him tomorrow at the motel! What more could one ask for? Tomorrow we will complete the remaining 10-hour drive to Conneaut Lake.