Date: 2014-08-09
From: The Birches

To: Katahdin
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: light rain

It has come. It's so overwhelming I almost don't know what to say. I've waited a day to write this to collect my thoughts. Normally I'd type it up that night and post when I can but I needed this last day to marinate.Wanting to beat the day hikers who come in about 7, we got up at 4:30. What a surreal morning. The daily routine is altered and I forgot that it would be. That the night before was the last in my tent. Or that I would never eat another pasta side - thank god. Also that I would never hike with my pack the same again. Nostalgia set in but holy cow I'm ready for this so I scarfed breakfast and headed to the ranger station to drop off our extra gear. For so long it's had it's particular place now it's all just stuffed in my sleeping bag. All I'll take is my pack, food, water, filter, and a beer. It's almost awkward hiking with such a light pack. My balance is all off. You learn to count on that weight to help you sometimes and I feel naked. Survivorman and I signed the register at 5:18 and with headlamps started the 5.3 miles. Any other day that distance is a breeze but not today. My head was still not wrapped around what I was doing or already had done. It was just another day on the trail for so long. At first the trail is pretty flat and graded but after a mile becomes rocky and steep. First in the forest, then in the spruces then finally you reach the bluffs. It was incredibly windy and chilly so I had to put a jacket on. You really have to dig deep and get creative following these blazes up sheer rock faces, using rebar to pull yourself up. You gain elevation quick through a maze of boulders. At about this time we caught up with the girls picking their way through. It was an emotional moment. Part euphoria to be finishing, part sad that we'd soon be parting, and lots of cheering. It's that feeling when you're at the last few pages of a really good book and you're proud to finish another but sad that your little fantasy is really ending. I'm a quick hiker and decided to move on. I started the hike alone and wanted to finish, briefly that way. I wanted time to reflect. The trail, after a huge amount of climb opens up to the "table lands" - a flat wide open grassy rocky plateau before the final uphill to the summit. You pass by Thoreau spring and think about what it must have been like for him when he summited in the 1800s. I wish I could say I stayed to think but marched right ahead and noticed I was starting the final uphill to the summit. When there are no trees and you can see where you're going it seems so close. Survivorman was not far behind me and just as eager to get there. At one point I made a sharp right turn and there it was. A few hundred feet uphill was the sign. It was there I had a good honest raw reaction after all that steeliness - I stopped in my tracks, grabbed my chest and said oh my god. Just started crying. It was not the type where you get misty or teared up. It was full on sobbing. Elation! And pride. I had done it! My energy level went out the roof! And the the most thoughtful thing happened. Survivorman yelled out "DUNE!" And I turned. He was crying just like me and said - I can't let you go up there and not record this moment. Here's my phone. Do what you need. He had a separate camera.   My heart swelled. I immediately started recording a video and just poured my heart out. After I finished I looked down and realized it was set to photo. DAMN IT! So I did it all over again with much less effect. I raced to the top and hugged that sign. Kamikaze was there. Survivorman got there a few moments later and we all gave deep deep hugs and just cried. What a moment! It was indescribable. And the view! 360¢¢ of mountains, forest, ponds and all the millions of things I saw along the way. The girls showed up about fifteen minutes later and true to form got a lot of their crying in along the trail. They were all smiles and hugs. They also love naked pics so we indulged!We hung out for about two hours, shared stories, shared food, shared beer. Survivorman played bagpipes on his phone and I loved it. I think I'd like to end it right there. The rest is mine and a shift back to the real world. I am class of 2014 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker number 168. Also known as Dune.