Date: 2015-08-19
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Mt Katahdin - Northern Terminus Appalachian Trail
Miles today: 5.2

8/19, 5.2, Mt Katahdin; Northern Terminus Appalachian TrailPraise God from whom all blessings flow,Praise Him all creatures here below,Praise Him above the heavanly host,Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost,         AmenAs I reached the sign familiar to me from photo and video the emotions were full and my initial reaction through moist eyes and exhaustion was to bow and pray the words of an old responsive prayer from the historical church. I truly praise God for the blessings He has chosen to grant me in my life and standing atop Baxter Peak on Mt Katahdin I have reflected for two days on those blessings. I did not sleep last night out of anticipation and excitement. I napped an hour or so but eventually gave in and spent a few minutes writing yesterday's journal before beginning to dress and prepare for the day. We met in the lobby of the hotel to head for breakfast at 5 am and our group includes Ironman Bill, his wife Maxine, his son Just Pete, Trudge, my wife Kathy and me. Breakfast was in town at the Appalachian Trail Cafe which caters to thru hikers and opens at 5 am to allow the early start necessary to summit Katahdin. I had the hikers breakfast with two eggs, two bacon, two sausage, smashed tots (potatoes), two pancakes and coffee. It sounds like a big breakfast but experience tells me it will be burned off an hour into this morning's hike. All were excited to get breakfast finished and get to our 6:30 shuttle to reach the base of our hike in Baxter State Park 30 minutes away. The girls were headed back to bed for a bit and then on to make a couple of post hike arrangements. Our shuttle was arranged through the Old Man's Gear Shop at the Appalachian Trail Lodge. Our shuttle driver was the owner of the lodge/hostel and was quite informative about Millinocket history and local business issues. We specifically asked about the "No National Park" signs we were seeing around town and he shared with us the basics of the local hot button issue. Essentially a large section of land has been offered to the National Park Service, along with a development and operating endowment, but many long term residents of Millinocket are not interested in the change. Unfortunately, without creating some new industry, such as tourism, to replace the thousands of lumber industry jobs that have disappeared in the last two decades, the local economy will continue to decline until Millinocket becomes a ghost town. It was a very informative ride. The shuttle dropped us off at the trailhead and we were on our way at 7:30. The 5.2 miles to the northern terminus sign on the top of Baxter Peak is a steadily increasing grade eventually leading to rock climbing over boulder scrambles to a final elevation of 5260 ft, 4100 ft above our starting elevation. We started hiking and immediately realized our legs were ready for this challenge. We hiked strong and steady reaching a hiking rhythm that was comfortable breathing and frequently passing day hikers. One of the most satisfying things for this group of "old men" is to breeze past a group of twenty somethings climbing and stepping steadily up the incline listening to them catching their breath as they stop every few hundred feet. In short, we were feeling the benefits of the 2100 mile journey to get here. The trail was dry and somewhat rocky at first but climbed up the river valley past a beautiful water fall until a mile or so into the climb the rock scramble began. This was the most challenging and difficult climb of he entire trail and a fitting way to struggle to the end. I collapsed my hiking poles and stowed them because from here up it is hands and feet pulling myself up the mountain to the final destination. About half way up we stopped for a short break taking in energy drinks, hydration and some food. Breakfast was long gone by now and I could feel my body searching for something more to burn, having used all of my 'reserve' to get here. My weight through the Maine wilderness has dropped to 175 lbs and I feel great, but my appetite is massive as my body is fully geared to burn 6000 calories each day. While we were resting Yellow Bird hiked up over the boulders behind us and we had a joyous reunion. We have leap frogged her over the last few weeks and enjoyed her accolades regarding our hiking prowess as we have hiked the younger hikers pace through Maine to complete this journey today. She was summiting with her boyfriend who had come to Maine to join her and would reach the top along with us. About a mile and a half from the terminus the climb rolls over to the 'table lands', a large flattish (still uphill) area above tree line over which we could see the peak above. Reality began to set in and we each entered our own personality climbing to the last stop. I hiked silently reflecting on the last six months. When I reached the terminus I grasped the sign and read it through misty eyes, "Katahdin". Ironman Bill was right behind, reached out and sighed through his own mist, hen let out a scream of joy, "Yyyyeeessss". Trudge walked silently by and Yellow Bird joined us next, teary eyed. Soon Just Pete came next in his own way talking to someone then exclaiming, "Oh, the sign!". We had made it. We visited with the forty or so hikers, mostly day hikers, who had climbed to the top today. There were only a couple more thru hikers but there was a brother/ sister pair who hiked to the summit 65 years ago when they were 7 and 12. We all clapped for them as Bill explained the situation to the crowd gathered there. We each returned to the sign for photos and milled around a bit eventually finding a spot for a snack. 30 minutes later it was time to face the long hike back down, sure to be mire difficult than coming up. We had reached the summit in 3 hours 45 minutes and returned to Kathy and Maxine in the same amount of time. We spent some time making a sandwich and drinking soda and water to replenish before heading back into town. For the evening we went out to a nice dinner where Bill and Maxine surprised Kathy and I with an anniversary dessert after dinner. Saturday is our 34th wedding anniversary and I can hardly believe the years have passed so smoothly. This trek has been easily the most difficult thing I have ever done, but it is only the fifth most significant event in my life. The number one event was committing my life to be a Christ follower and number two most important was the day Kathy became my wife. Third and fourth were the births of my two great kids Erik and Bethany so the AT ranks a very solid number five. For now it is time to travel home and resume life in some normal manner so we will drop Trudge at the Bangor airport to fly home, while IB, JP and Maxine will rent a car to continue their journeys. It has been a privilege to share this journal with you all and I will thank you now for sticking with me, encouraging me and keeping me mindful of your reading. There were many times the thought of explaining myself to you folks kept me hiking when I may have otherwise quit. God bless you all!Silverback