Summit Day on Mt. Katahdin (2184.6-2190.3)

Wednesday 10/11; The Birches at Katahdin Stream Campground to The Summit if Mount Katahdin (2184.6-2190.3)

I can't believe I'm actually about to write this...We Summited Mt. Katahdin yesterday afternoon, and we're in complete and utter shock that just like that, it's all over. This chapter is coming to a close. I've been waiting for this moment for so long, and in these last weeks it's been so unreal. I've enjoyed it so much and reveled in the glorious moments which seem so fleeting. I know that very quickly this will all be simply a string of memories and photos.

We were up early and dropped most of our weight at the ranger station. Then, we started to climb our last climb of the 2018 AT Hiker Season. We just kept saying over and over how crazy it was that we were here, hiking ON Mt. Katahdin. The summit weather report at the ranger station called for clear skies with temps in the 50's, and winds of only 10-20mph. We were So Excited!! The climb up Katahdin itself really was pretty fun. It was hard, but nothing we haven't done thus far. Climbing with friends made the time fly and absolutely made it more amazing! We wandered up, took a snack/water break, wandered some more, and came to the boulders. Like, actual real boulders as big as me, which we had to shimmy up, over, and around for a while to get to The Tablelands and The Gateway, and then to the summit. We moved in a group of 4 up these boulders (Bean and I with Papa Bean and Yard Sale), and helped each other up by guiding feet, shoving bums, taking trekking poles, and offering suggestions (when you're lucky enough to be in front-sarcasm) on which way to go (or not, as the case may be). The weather was so beautiful, but also very windy. We found a spot shielded from the wind and sat down to eat a little before continuing. Shortly after, we reached The Tablelands which is a pretty flat section right before The Gateway, or the last small climb up to the actual summit and sign. And then...we were making our way. Our last steps to becoming AT thru hikers. All the stress, frustration, sweat and tears, was so, So very worth it. I was holding the phone to take pictures/video as we approached, and I nearly lost it when Erik told me to put it away because he wanted to hold my hand for the last steps. I did and we walked the last steps side by side, the wind whipping at our faces and jackets, tears streaming down my face. When we arrived at the sign, Erik threw himself at it while I stood an arm's length away, not really sure what to do. By touching that sign, I'm saying, "This is really over." So I just stood there for a few seconds, hand covering my mouth, and stared at it crying. I just couldn't believe we've done it. We made it. We walked from Georgia to Maine. There was a man up top who hiked last year and was throwing out candy bars at hikers as they finished. He handed one to each of us and congratulated us, Erik was hugging me, I was finally touching the sign, and I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I simply couldn't process what was going on. Then, I stopped. "Video, I have to video!" GWAG had handed me his phone and asked me (only about 9.5 minutes earlier) to capture his summit on video. I was so wrapped up in it all, I almost forgot! But I didn't. I got the video. We all took pictures for a while, basked in the glorious (though cold and windy) weather and enjoyed the views, and then promptly realized we really needed to start heading down. It was beginning to head closer to dark than light out, and it is certainly not safe to come down after dark. We took what's called The Hunt Trail up to the summit. This trail is the official AT trail, but there are many trails that get you up top. We opted to go down The Abol Trail because we'd heard that the descent is a little easier/better than Hunt. It was, relatively, and we got down relatively quickly after the first bit. Once we were back below tree line the trail eased up quite a lot and we flew through the last couple of miles. It was super helpful that we'd run into Casino and Hybrid in the summit, who offered us a ride into town. We knew that between them and Janelle, we'd all get into town with no problem. We'd anticipated catching a shuttle run by the AT Lodge Hostel, but learned immediately before hitting the trail that their van was out of commission for the day. It wound up working out perfectly, though, as we weren't rushed at all and secured rides easily. The trail provides one last time!

The views on this day were simply indescribable. From the first time I turned around and caught a view all the way up and then down the mountain, every time I turned my head it just got better. The colors look like something in a painting and they stretched forever. Yard Sale and I were just in awe of the beauty and splendor. We felt so very lucky to have a finish like we did. I wondered what I did to warrant such an end to such an extraordinary journey. She and I discussed this nearly all the way down the mountain. We also discussed how fortunate we were to not have dealt with serious illness or injury, to finish among friends from the first weeks, to have experienced the amazing final weeks with great weather and circumstances, and to have been driven to attempt this crazy thing which has prompted growth beyond my wildest expectations.

Some of my great take aways (at this time-I'm sure the list will grow):

1. It's all ok, and it really will all work out. I'm a control freak, so this is a big one. I've literally not had the energy to fret over what will be or how something that needs to occur will happen. For instance; when we plan to go into town to resupply, there's no time or extra energy to work out details in advance, so we arrive at the road crossing and figure out how to get into town. We hitch, or call a shuttle, or receive trail magic, or whatever. The kicker is...we always get to town. Imagine that!

2. It's ok to do me. In word, I've said this for some time. In deed, however, I've struggled with it. It is ok, and often exceptionally beneficial to do what you need to do. Whatever drives what you need in this moment is ok. It's ok to sometimes be selfish, or ask for private time, or ask for group time. It's ok to serve yourself for no other reason than serving yourself.

3. I am a Badass!

4. Beauty is so much deeper than the surface, and strength is very beautiful. We are, each of us, worthy of feeling strong and beautiful in our bodies as we are in this minute.

There are a couple of other points which I'm choosing to keep for myself, at least for now. Some of these though are the most life changing for me.

I'm now finishing this post two days after summiting, and we're on a bus headed for Portland for a couple of days. I've already cried this morning in anticipation of leaving our friends. To me, saying goodbye means it's really come to a close. And I'm crying again as I write this. I'm not ready. Not by a long shot.

These last weeks have made my hike. The choices to slow down, do lower miles each day, take it all in, enjoy the company...these were exactly right. I really enjoyed these weeks. The trail gods blessed us with perfect weather and ideal circumstances, and I'm eternally grateful. There was not a hint of my previous struggles in these last weeks. I enjoyed every minute, and I would change only one single thing: U-Turn and The Colonel, I wish you'd been with us! It would have made these last perfect weeks even more perfect.

I'm struggling with my emotions right now, and will likely continue to do so for some time. I can't imagine what life will look like without the woods, the friends, even the daily monotony and struggles of trail life. There will be an adjustment period, and we'll have to rely on the same people we've come to trust so wholly since we arrived in Springer Mountain to help us through that adjustment. I'll continue to make updates and hope you'll all continue to follow our adventures. And before you ask, our next Adventure on Deck is TBD. We're currently looking forward to slowly reintegrating into society over the next week or so.

We hesitate to thank any particular individuals as I know we'll leave someone(s) out. But we do want to shout out to a few of you:

Our parents, thank you for your lifelong, constant love and support. You've been our biggest cheerleaders through the good and bad in life, and we wouldn't be who or where we are without you. We are eternally grateful for your support of our goals and dreams. We love you!

Valerie, thank you for jumping into our home base role at the last minute. You have supported us nearly flawlessly (a very apologetic Bean remembers his hangry rant over the summer quilts) amidst so many responsibilities. We can't possibly ever describe what a great help you've been. Maybe one day we can bring you out here and show you.

Uncle Steve and Aunt Kathie, you helped us when we needed it most this summer. You made an exceedingly stressful situation a little easier, and far less logistically challenging than I'd imagined it might be. You're generosity and love are so much appreciated.

The Hemlocks Crew, you all have watched me grow from preteen, and have supported Erik and I from early in our relationship. You have helped foster or love for the outdoors, and have supported us in nearly every choice we've made. You are our family and we love you dearly.

Our friends and family, we love you so much and have so exited taking you along on this journey. Your interest, questions, and support in these months have pushed us in ways you can't imagine. There were days that I (Fresh) kept walking only because of some comment or message one of you posted or sent.

Rob at Outdoor 76, You literally saved my hike. Thank you for going above and beyond to assist an injured hiker recover her feet.

And finally, to our trail community and tramily, what can we say? Thank you for welcoming us into your lives so completely, and for sharing so much of yourselves with us. We have grown in ways we couldn't possibly have imagined, and it's thanks to each of you. This journey would have been an entirely different experience without each of you. We love you and the trail that grew us. We look forward to keeping in touch with some of you, and seeing many of you down the trail. We are grateful beyond measure to have met you, honored to have shared this epic walk with you, and so very fortunate to have learned and grown along side each and every one of you over the last seven months. Words can never express our appreciation to you for sharing a bit of yourselves with us.

For now, Fresh and Bean signing off (Bean will write a post of his own in the coming days).

March 14, 2017-October 11, 2017