Date: 2015-07-02
From: Katahdin Stream Campground

To: Baxter Peak
Miles today: 5.0

July 2nd. Baxter Peak. And Wassataquoik lean-to.   Past Kahtahdin creek lean to. 21 milesWhat a fun morning!! LittleDebbie, and his folks let me stay in their three sides shelter last night. We woke up excited and pumped for the days climb. LittleDebbie's parents left first and all of us hikers gathered to hang out a little bit longer.It was great hiking with Deadline, LittleDebbie, YoYo, Tweet, Merry, and Pipen! Just a fitting reunion and all around good time. I will miss these guys. We all started at 700am and by 1100am, I was standing on the top of Baxter Peak on Mt Katahdin!The "trail", or route I should say, was pretty difficult. Most hikers do it only with a daypack. That makes sense. Some portions are almost technical and the extra weight makes everything more difficult. In fact, I never saw anyone on the whole Baxter Peak and Knife Edge Ridge with a full backpack. Except for me with my five days worth of food to boot.This issue became way more apparent on the Knife Edge. Some of the vertical climbing was really awkward with pack. Hitting on the rock, etc. Other than that it fun, but slow.The day began cloudy and windy. The winds were up to the 40s by the time I was on the ridge. Moisture from the clouds soaked our stuff and the rock. This made all of the hand and footholds a lot slicker. It was an emotional finish. Best photo pose goes to Deadline for his 300 re-creation. He was shirtless, wearing a cape and gaiters, and holding up his hiking poles.We sat at the top reminiscing about the trail and telling stories for one last time. It was one last snack/lunch break. After only one hour, it was over.They all went the way back that we came. I went off to the notorious knife edge ridge. I was surprised at how many people were on the mountain today. All of the steep drops and difficult climbing beat up my knees pretty bad.I took two more connector trails to get the additional 11 miles over to the start of the IAT. Do you know what the trail conditions are like for trails the exit the park like this?? Not too good. Not quite a priority.The overgrown, wet, and often invisible trail took me a lot of time to navigate. It was such a wet and effortful affair. The lack of blazes, or markings, were painful. It compounded the required hiking time ten-fold.I almost got to the southern terminus when a moose ended up blocking my way. I was super careful with this feller. No need to upset someone with such large hooves...so good for stomping.I reached the sign proclaiming the southern terminus of the IAT!!! I was now getting and nervous. It was getting late, but I knew I could get in a few more miles.As I walked along, it really dawned on me that no one else is out here. Just me and the moose.I kept going. I startled a bull moose that was standing alongside the trail. He took off into the woods knocking down all in his way. Amazing power.I followed an old logging road. It took me past my first shelter for the IAT. A plaque inside read that it was donated by Katahdin Cedar Log Homes. With more daylight left, I decided to get in another few miles in. I did and finally stopped at Wassataquoik shelter. These mosquitoes were amazing (horrifying). Absolutely awful. Terrible. Swarming. Not good!!So, this concludes my 2015 Appalachian Trail adventure.... Oh, but I have only just begun!! From this point forward, my journal will be kept here at trailjournals, but now under the 2015 International Appalachian Trail tab.Thanks to everyone for their amazing support!!!