Date: 2016-09-03
From: The Birches

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: clear sky

I would love to say everything was wonderful and joyous on my final day on the AT. It wasn't. This is not to say that it did not end joyous. It did!I woke up at 4:30 am not feeling well. My stomach was upset and I felt nausea. I heard the other 3 hikers getting ready so I put on my headlamp and began packing gear, the movement made me feel worse. By 5 am I was at the Katahdin Stream Ranger Station changing out my pack for a smaller pack (they lend out small packs). I left many of my items at the station. I would be traveling very light.I then signed in at a kiosk located at the beginning of the Hunt Trail up to Baxter Peak. The oldest of the three hikers (I wish I could remember his name!) was right in front of me as we left the kiosk. I do remember he was one year younger than me. Anyway as we left the kiosk, using our headlamps to see the trail, I felt really sick. I said, "I'm going to have to turn back." He responded, "What?" As he looked at me, I was bent over heaving what little food I had in my stomach along with a substantial amount of fluid. When I finished I said, "Never mind." I felt better. I thought maybe I could finish so I continued on. I told the other hiker I would be going slow so he moved on leaving me behind. I hiked on coming to the realization that I probably had a case of noro virus or giardia. My self diagnosis was leaning towards giardia since I had experienced it before and I felt exactly like that now. Nothing I could do about it at this point from a physical aspect but mentally I needed to toughen up.I had been through other physical challenges before on past thru hikes that included the past case of giardia and also kidney stones, urinary tract infection, heat exhaustion, and painful injuries.My go to compensation mechanism in these situations is to go into a self induced trance where I repeat a mantra over and over again. My go to mantra is a prayer, "Thank you God for my strength, endurance, and determination."Eventually I settled into a rhythm coping with my discomfort and made steady progress as I went up the steep incline towards my goal. I eventually reached a section of the trail called the "Boulders." This section required rock scrambling. The process of thinking how to traverse this section totally took my mind off my physical discomfort. I always enjoy scrambling and climbing rocks and despite my illness I still found joy. After making my way through the climbing portion I was above the tree line on a more gradual slope. I began to hear yelling from above me. I knew the three hikers had summited! As I came in view of the summit they saw me and began cheering me on. I began yelling back. When I reached the summit I hugged the other hikers and screamed the primal savage incomprehensible sound that comes out of me when I accomplish something big.I took a look at my surroundings, I was overwhelmed. The 360 view was incredible and the weather was outstanding. The sun was out and there was no wind. How lucky! I climbed the summit sign and balanced myself on the peak of the sign as my picture was taken. One of the hikers stated that he was stoked that he was the first hiker to summit Katahdin that day. I thought that was pretty cool and I was a little jealous. I then thought well I was fourth, that thought was no consultation to me. Then I had a thought that well I could be the first one to summit and make it down from the peak of Katahdin that day.As we finished our time on the summit I gave the other 3 hikers a wrapped piece of chocolate cake that I had brought to celebrate my completion of the AT. I could not eat it but I was pleased to watch the other hikers enjoy the cake.As we headed down Katahdin we took an even steeper more direct trail down. I still felt sick but it made no difference since I had gravity counteracting my illness. I also had no fear since I thought I could break or sprain my ankle now that I've finished the AT. So I flew down the trail only slowing down to navigate around the hundreds of day hikers coming up the trail. The day hikers invariably asked if I was a thru hiker and a short conversation entailed about my journey and also about their dreams of one day doing the AT. This was a great way to finish the trail with the acknowledgement and phrase of other hikers for the accomplishment of finishing the AT. Well I was first one down from the summit of Katahdin today. The trail finished in Abol Campground about two miles from Katahdin Springs Campground so I needed to hitch there to get my pack. The other three hikers had a ride to Katahdin Springs Campground from the family of one them. They didn't offer me a ride which was understandable. So I didn't wait for them at the campground. I stood on a dirt road and stuck my thumb out. One car passed by me and a second car approached. A brand new GMC Yukon pulled over and I jumped in. The driver's name was Rob. Rob wanted to summit Katahdin today but was unable to get a permit. He would have to wait until tomorrow. He not only drove me to get my pack, he drove me all the way to the hostel in Millinocket!So my hike is complete! I would love to tell you I'm a much better person and I had a spiritual awakening from this hike if I did that I think I would be exaggerating. I can tell you that this hike has been part of the process of me becoming a better person and becoming more spiritual. Hiking has become an important part of my life only ranking in importance behind my family and my friends. It has given me focus and a purpose since my retirement from the fire service. Next year I think I'll yo-yo the Colorado Trail. The year after that I don't know what my hike will be but it will be nothing big since I need to be around for my youngest daughter's high school graduation. In 2019, I plan on hiking the CDT and completing the Triple Crown. All of you take care. Thank you for your support. I will be writing some conclusion entries soon and spending a lot of time editing this journal to correct my numerous grammar and spelling mistakes. In my defense though many of these mistakes were caused by my inability to text adequately using my smart phone. Once again take care!