Date: 2003-10-05
From: White House Landing - Katahdin Stream Campground

To: White House Landing - Katahdin Stream Campground
Miles today: 30.8
Weather: scattered clouds

White House Landing - Katahdin Stream Campground30.8 miles (2157.5 total miles)I did not enjoy my stop at White House Landing on day 192. First of all, I felt like I was cheating the 100 mile wilderness. But due to the circumstances, it was necessary. We followed the blue "blazes" to the dock, and blew the air horn for pick-up. A guy in a motor boat pulled up to the dock and snapped at us, "Packs over there, and you sit there." He was certainly not hospitable.We got to White House Landing, and the guy informed us that they were just about to close down the grill, so we were just in time. He was mad at us for not spending the night at his camp. I went inside to meet up with a few other thru-hikers. He helped make the burgers and wandered around, muttering how the hikers were taking up all his time. I felt completely unwelcome. Although the burger was delicious, I was couldn't wait to leave. It was such an opposite experience than what I have seen in the last 6 months, especially lately. We took the motor boat back across the lake to the trail. We were a little glad that they kicked us out when we were done, as we could do some extra miles. It was only 5 more easy miles to a gravel beach on Nahmakanta Lake. We watched the sun go down behind the brightly colored mountains. I set my tent up right on the beach. We made a fire. I heard a loon. It was a beautiful night.I woke up sad on day 193. I guess "it" finally hit me. I got out and saw the moon setting over the lake. I saw Willow drinking some hot coffee on the beach. At the other end was Last Minute, all bundled up, turning on his stove. Everything was beautiful, and I didn't want it to end. I thought that tomorrow night would be the last night I'd set up my tent. This was coming to an end. I was sad.I had to leave the beach right away. I packed up and walked a couple miles before breakfast. It was a little harder than it had been recently. We had 22 miles planned for the day. We walked along the lake, then up a small mountain. We came back down, and followed a stream. The trail took a strange turn, and followed 2 logs across the stream. The logs were small, round, and extremely slippery. It seemed surprisingly dangerous, and took me a few minutes to cross. Willow waited until I was standing safely on solid ground again before she broke the news that the trail in fact jogged back up, and not across the stream. I laughed, took a deep breath, and maneuvered the dangerous crossing back to the other side.The rest of the day dragged on. Even this late, a 22 mile day was a lot. We walked along lakes and streams, enjoying the foliage, trudging away the miles. It was actually hot out, nothing like a usual October in Maine. We ended with another small mountain to climb, which gave us a great view of Katahdin. Then we descended to the shelter just before dark. My feet hurt. But we were now in perfect position for the end.We were camped only 3 miles from Abol Bridge on day 194. We left fairly early, and cruised the easy miles to the end of the 100 mile wilderness. I bought some donuts and coffee for breakfast. I loaded up on food for the last 2 days. We planned to eat well with only a few miles left. It turned out to be one of my most expensive and heaviest resupplies.It was an awkward afternoon, with an uneasiness among thru-hikers. We hiked slowly, enjoying our short, easy day. We stopped at every viewpoint, waterfall, and bridge. We stopped at Daicey Pond, and looked at Katahdin for a long time from the dock. We continued on, and reached Katahdin Stream Campground at about 2:30.We sat and waited with the other hikers. We were all happy and sad, anxious and apprehensive. We joked, and waited to find where the rangers wanted the thru-hikers to camp. We were 5 miles from the summit of Katahdin, and got to watch our friends who had summitted that day come down. I congratulated Iron Chef, and was excited to see Moo and 42 one last time. They had family bring them cake and soda. I grabbed a soda and saved it for my own summit the next day.We cooked hot dogs for dinner. We had chips, soda, chocolate, and roasted marshmallows. I brought out a rock that I picked up way back in Springer Mountain and passed it around the fire. Everyone held on to the rock for a few seconds, realizing the magnitude of their journey, and passed it on. I put it in my pack to take up to Katahdin. I did a few last preparations, then, although there was fun around the fire, called it an early night. It would be a big day tomorrow. 5.2 miles to Katahdin!