Date: 2011-09-12
From: The Birches

To: Katadin !!!
Miles today: 5.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Summit Day! Up at 5:00, first light at 5:45, and began the hike at 6:18. We were so pumped about the summit, that we went up the mountain like being shot out of a canon. Passed Katadin Stream Falls, after following the stream for over a mile. The Hunt trail got steeper and steeper, climbing up with the help of rebar in the boulders. I finally put my poles away, and climbed with just my hands and feet. Before getting to the Gateway, I had to put on my down jacket. I think that's the first time this whole trip that I hiked in the down jacket. Cold, and very windy! I hiked out of the sun and into the clouds. Visibility was not very far.   Entered the Tableland, and then passed Thoreau Spring. After that, I eased off, laid back, and took all the emotions in. A couple of small rises later, I could finally see the end of this journey through the clouds. At long last!    I walked up to the sign and hugged it. Stayed up there around 45 minutes taking photos, and celebrating and congratulating each other. After that, it was so cold we had to move. The descent off the mountain had me worried a bit. But I took it slow, and eased down. It took an hour longer to descend. But I made it back down. More trail magic, then on to the ranger station to be picked up by the shuttle. There was a 'communication error', so we had to wait over three hours. By the time we got to town, I was so tired that I didn't even feel like celebrating. I ate at the A T Cafe, went back to the A T Lodge, took a shower, and went to bed. The reality of what I had just done had not set in. And it probably won't for a few days. Part of that is the physical abuse I've endured. I know I will slowly heal. The human body is amazingly resiliant. It will just take some time.    In a week or two, I will make a post entry, with a summary of my thoughts and feelings on this awesome adventure. I just want to take it all in, see my family, and physically and mentally heal. I will also comment on what worked and did not work for me on the hike. I hope this will help future hikers attempting the AT.   I do want to immediately thank everyone involved in making this journey a success. My wife, Kelly...thank you so much for your unselfish acts of love and desire to see your husband succeed in his dreams. Without you, I could not have done this. I love you more for it, and will forever be indebted to you for it.   To my kids, Tilly, Brooks, Jace, and Zack...thank you for enduring my absence, taking on added responsibilities, and I am sorry for leaving you all for such a long time.   I hope my dogs...Kippy, Lola Belle, and Moo Cow, will recognize me when I get home.   Thanks to everyone who signed my guestbook. It was encouraging.   A special thanks to Larry Riggan, who read my journal, and came out to hike with me. I believe I now have a lifelong friend in you. Your encouragement was priceless.   Another special thanks to my Uncle James Daniels, who always believed in me, and too, was very encouraging.   And to Lee Peacock, writer for the Evergreen Courant, who did a series of articles about my hike. In our weekly talks, you were encouraging as well. And to all the amazing hikers I met along the way, especially the crew. We are forever bonded by the AT!   With the help of all of these special people, I have now become an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker!