Date: 2010-09-19
From: Tenting near the East Chairback Pond TrailÃÂÃÂÃÂÃÂ 

To: East Branch Lean-to
Miles today: 18.0

Day 159: I Saw Katahdin (Su19)Woke up in our little stealth spot and soon got to hiking. We found out how lucky we were to find that spot in the dark last night after noting that there was nothing else that would've done for camping for the next two miles. We met a few day hikers and their dogs as we all crossed the Pleasant river, which was up to our knees and cold. We also met Threshold, a 2009 thru-hiker who was working as a ridge runner. We hiked on in the nice day. There was a bit of cloud cover, so I was worried about the view of Katahdin from White Cap Mountain later on, but it seemed like it would burn off eventually. Boss and I hiked past the loop trail to Gulf Hagas, and we were sad to do that. It's supposed to be a wonderful trail of waterfalls and canyons, but we just didn't feel the need to do the extra, 5.2 non-AT miles. We both definitely WANTED to do it, but we are just so ready to stop the walking. We pressed on instead, to get up and over the four mountains coming up...After a short break to chat with George, a VERY talkative weekender hiker who could've gone on forever (lovely guy though), we took a lunch break at the Carl Newhall shelter before the climb. We went up Hagas mountain, then down, then up West peak, then down, then up Hay mountain, then down, then up to White Cap where we got our first, sure view of Katahdin. And the angels sang: AHHHHH! There she was. The light at the end of the tunnel. The goal. The legend. The reason we began. The last mountain. The northern terminus. The end.The cloud cover had cleared, and it was a beautiful day to see that mountain from the hill on which I stood. Seventy-something odd hiking miles away. Within grasp and waiting. It was exciting, and my flame for hiking was ignited again. Only three full days to go, plus the rest of this one, and then it's Katahdin time. So hard to believe I'm already here!!Well, we took a short break atop White Cap and enjoyed the bright sunlight. Then it was down a few miles to a shelter. Another quick break before down again to the East Branch lean-to where we will sleep. We're the only ones here, so we'll sleep in the shelter for a change. Boss and I should've picked up more fuel before heading out. He's basically empty, and I'm running low. To save what's left, Boss made a fire and boiled water over it. We both made dinner and hot chocolate without using any isobutane. I hadn't done that except for a few hot dog nights. I felt kinda like Beaver Chief. Something to note: we didn't see ANY OTHER nobo's today! We didn't pass anyone, and no one passed us. Weird. I think we must be in between two bubbles - we'll try to catch Uncas and the Aussies, but Xan, Neutron, Deetz/PP/Miles, One Life, Rorshach, and a few others are back in Monson, about to head into the wilderness. Perhaps I'll see them all after they summit, over the weekend...?So, with White Cap mountain out of the way now, there are no substantial mountains left before Katahdin. It should be nice, easy hiking until the last climb, so we'll be covering lots of ground. I hope this great weather continues!