Date: 2006-08-23
From: Birches Lean To - Baxter State Park

To: Baxter Peak, Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: scattered clouds

It was almost like business as usual as we rose this morning. Everything was the same - cooking, packing, organizing. But everything was different as well. We were preparing for our final hike and final mountain of the trip. Honestly, it felt like any other day. We were focused on getting the gear we needed for the summit, eating breakfast, prepping our water and figuring out what clothes we needed. By 6 we were walking down the road to store extra gear at the ranger station.The hike up Katahdin begins innocently enough. A gentle first mile along a creek leads to steeper trail that moves you towards the ridgeline. Once you start climbing the ridge, you feel like you are back in the Whites or Southern Maine. You work through big boulders and rocks as you climb through the continually shrinking trees. When we broke treeline, we could see that the mountain was covered in mist and clouds. Off to the left, clouds raced over a mountainous ridgeline, leaving only the peaks to play hide and seek with our eyes. Behind us in the flatter areas, mist and fog hung over the ponds and forests in a beautiful patchwork. Ahead an intimidating and steep ridge of boulders and rock faced loomed over us. Coyotebec set the pace for the little group that has formed over the last week: Mountain Goat, ESP, Tink and I. We climbed steadily, stopping only to add clothing as we got higher. The wind was blowing and the air was chilly. The mist made the air damp enough to wet your hair. As the steeper rocks began, the trekking poles were put in the pack and we climbed with hands and feet. The climbing is not technical, but it definitely requires using your hands and "rock climbing" through a lot of sections.At the top of the main ridge, we reached a section called the "table lands" which is a flat area between the ridge and the summit. We quickly walked through this as our excitement started to build. Thoreau spring signifies that there is only 1 mile left on the AT. Tink was chattering away until we reached this spot. After this, everyone got kind of reflective and we hiked the last mile pretty quietly. Once we got close, the wind was whipping mist and clouds over the summit. We were all looking for that famous sign that is on the summit. Suddenly, the mist cleared and we could see the sign (still kind of distant). Just as quickly, the cloud rolled back over the summit and it was gone. After that, everyone was pumped. We were looking at our last few blazes after 2,174 miles. Minutes later, we were on top. I walked to the sign and kissed it. The hike was over. I had thought of this moment hundreds of times over the last 5 months. I didn't know if I would cry or yell in victory. My best description of the feeling was numbness. It was a little like a dream. We had fought through 5 months of snow, rain, mud, roots, rocks, blisters and pain for this moment. The emotional explosion you would expect wasn't there. I was so happy to be here with Coyotebec, Tink and the other hikers we had been with for so many days. There was lots of hugging, smiles and laughter as we all celebrated the achievement of a goal. The emotions would come later - in the middle of the night. I was laying in a bed at the Appalachian Trail Lodge thinking about all of this. I thought of how we had all talked about how difficult it is to share what the AT experience is with friends and family back home. This led to the thought that the only people who could fully understand what this means are those we hiked with. That shared experience is our bond as AT Thru hikers. That's when the emotional dam broke. At 4am in Millinocket - already 20 miles removed from the trail. I thought of all the hikers we have shared our AT experience with over the last five months. There is a bond we share as being those that truly understand. Thinking of people like Hindsfeet, Tink, O2bee, Old Goat, Mountain Goat, ESP, and so many others brought the tears out in force.I felt blessed to be one of the few that gets to live with someone that I have shared this with. I will share this connection with the love of my life forever. We have been truly touched and changed by this experience and it will affect every aspect of our life together.I know the memories will fade. The trip will be defined in our favorite photographs and a cool slide show. The texture and nuance of what the AT has been will fade. But what will never fade is the relationships that have been forged over 2,000 miles of hiking. The AT is about people. It is about a shared struggle. When it's all said and done, that's what life is when it is at its best. A shared struggle with people you love. To everyone we have hiked with: We already miss you and look forward to staying in touch. To everyone at home: We miss you very, very much and look forward to being back in your lives and to sharing life with you again very soon.I will have more of a wrap up on the trip in a couple of days - so please check back.Gumby & CoyotebecTo see what we have been up to since our return home, go to www.packandpaddle.blogspot.com