The Final Climb

The Final Day-186

I am an Appalachian Trail thru-hiker! I walked 2189.2 miles from Springer Mountain in Georgia to Mount Katahdin in Maine. I am amazed and so thankful that I was able to accomplish this. Words cannot describe how wonderful I feel.

I woke up early in the shelter, excited for the day to start. Chameleon and I packed our packs for the final time, not caring how things fit because we knew that shortly we would be leaving most things in Amanda's car for the day. With no food left our packs were already so much lighter.

Amanda was waiting for us in the parking lot. We were very thankful she brought us food for the day and immediately ate a little more. After unloading our packs of nearly everything, we set off on our final hike of the Appalachian Trail.

The first part of the trail was easy. A few rocks and roots on a slight incline next to a rushing stream made for a nice walk.  Once we got above tree line the real climbing began. All the rocks reminded me of the White Mountains. I was using my arms to pull myself up in many spots. The sun was out and it was hot on the exposed rock. I was thankful for a beautiful clear day on our summiting day.

After the steep ascent up the boulders we came to a flat rock plateau and could see the top! The final ascent was so exciting. I had to make myself look down and concentrate on my feet so that I wouldn't trip or sprain an ankle in the last 100 yards. During those final steps
I was reciting the alphabet game Chameleon and I had played the day before of everything we would miss on the Appalachian Trail.

When we first arrived we saw familiar faces and had celebratory shouts of joy. Touching the sign was incredible. I cannot describe it. I had just completed the most physically challenging journey of my life. I was thankful I never had a serious injury or got sick and neither had Chameleon. She was a terrific hiking partner and we had an amazing journey together. We took a number of photos at the top. Amanda was a patient photographer and excited to be there too.

We had officially finished the Appalachian Trail but still had to hike the 5 miles back down to the parking lot. Going back down the trail was more challenging. It was an interesting experience to be on the same trail twice. The trail felt very different going in the other direction.

The sun was setting as we finished our journey. I gave Chameleon a huge hug as we signed the final trail register. We did it!

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After the Appalachian Trail I will miss:

the Adventure

Budding flowers

Chameleon

the Downs and ups

Eating anything I want and not gaining weight

Fresh air

Gatherings of hikers

that Hitchhiking was okay

Ice cream by the pint

Juvenile jokes

the Kindness of trail angels

Log books

Magic

Northbounders

being Outdoors all the time

Peeing in the woods

the Quiet of nature

Rippling rivers

Sleeping in my tent

the Trail

Ukalady

Views

Water fresh from a cold spring

eXploring new places

Yelling chuukadoodledoo

Zipping up my sleeping bag on a cold night

100 Mile Wilderness

Day 176

I went to my high school reunion this afternoon. It was great to see people I hadn't seen in years. We had to leave a bit early to get back on the trail but I'm so glad I went!

Marcia was amazing and drove us all the way back to Monson. Chameleon and I hiked in a short distance in the dark and set up camp. We are officially in the 100 mile wilderness! I had a great weekend off the trail and am thrilled to be back on and in the final stretch. 

Day 177

As I walked down the trail today lamenting the weight of my pack I realized just how little time left I have on the trail. I would like to say my pace was intentionally slower to savor the experience, but it was mostly 18 pounds of food slowing me down. There were a number of ponds and streams; I felt like there was water everywhere.

Chameleon and I experienced great trail magic today. Friends of Leap Frog's family have a camp in the area and provide trail magic for hikers. We were fortunate enough to be able to stay the night too! Thank you!

 

Day 178

I thoroughly enjoyed having a few days off the and have felt mentally refreshed. My body on the other hand felt not so good. My knees have been quite stiff, my feet seem to be reflattening, and I have lots of chafing. Thankfully the muscles were not effected and are still going strong.

After a wonderful breakfast of pancakes with bacon we got back on the trail. It took until 5 p.m. for my hiker hunger to return. Until that point today I had been eating to lighten my pack. We hiked with head lamps for about 20 minutes to make it to the shelter. It's been a tiring day and I hope to sleep soundly. Happy 2100 miles!

Day 179

During our last mile of the day we started hearing thunder in the distance. We had a bit of a view at one point I was able to see the bank of thunder clouds approaching. We arrived at the campsite, set up tents, and cooked dinner before the rain started. We ate standing up and managed to stay fairly dry. It was hanging the bear bag that soaked me through. I was hoping the rain would clean me off a bit but it also brought pine needles and tree bits. I'm sure I'll be putting wet clothes on in the morning. 

Most of the afternoon I was hiking next to a river. I think I enjoy hiking next to water almost as much as I enjoy hiking with views. It's amazing to think that this time next week I'll have finished hiking the Appalachian Trail. 

Day 180

I had my first view of Katahdin this morning! To be honest I wasn't exactly sure which one it was because all the mountain tops were in the clouds. It was still exciting to know that I could see all the way to Katahdin. The hike today was much easier than expected. The hard part of the day was done by 11:30.

Katahdin is out there somewhere

It's raining again tonight, though currently it's just a light rain. I managed to set up camp, cook, eat, and hang my food without getting rained on! I do appreciate that it has been raining at night and not during the day.

Day 181 

It was a wet rainy morning. I was warm and dry in my tent and had a bit of a struggle making myself get up. We stopped and had a very early lunch because we arrived at a shelter. It was nice not to eat in the rain. A few other hikers arrived and said a large bubble of 30 or so hikers was a day or less behind us.

We left that shelter imagining a stampede of hikers overtaking us. We went further than we had planned in hopes of staying in a dry shelter. When I walked up there was a group of section hikers around a fire and I lost hope. The shelter must be full. Thankfully it wasn't! They made room for Chameleon and I and shared the fire too!

Day 182

Today was a fantastic day on the trail. I got my first real view of Katahdin this morning out over a lake. It was an amazing feeling to see my final destination after walking over 2000 miles to get here. I was so excited I tripped and took a face plant getting back to the trail. I can't get injured now when I'm so close! 

my first full view of Katahdin

Just before lunch I started smelling bacon in the woods. It wasn't a random whiff that went away, someone was cooking it. Chameleon turned around and said there was a sign for food. Trail magic! Two guys who hiked the trail last year were out for the weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated the bacon, hot dogs, freshly made fries, coco, orange, and chips. We never expected trail magic in the wilderness!

FOOD ->

Shortly after Chameleon and I went swimming in a lake. The water was a bit chilly but refreshing. There was a beach so we dried our tents and ourselves in the sun.

Tonight we are camping by a pond. I sang until dark out over the water. I know I will miss living outdoors. This has been a wonderful experience that will be ending soon. I will continue to savor these next few days.

a sea of moss

Day 183

I had another wonderful day on the Appalachian Trail. I slept in until 7 with the sound of light rain on my tent. The rain stopped as I was packing up and it never returned.

Chameleon and I are a bit ahead of schedule so we hiked less than 10 miles. We had a very relaxing afternoon. We saw Dirty Rotten Liar for the first time in weeks! We caught up on trail news before he moved on. Chameleon and I made our first camp fire in months. It was so satisfying to sing around the campfire as the sun went down.

The past few days it has really begun to feel like fall. The mornings are cooler and when I stop for a snack I get chilled and want to start moving again. A few leaves are changing, some have fallen on the trail. Fall weather is great for hiking.

Day 184

It rained again last night but had stopped by the time we packed up. There was a heavy mist during a short part of the morning but we managed to be having our lunch in a shelter during the rain. Our luck with weather has been fantastic!

This evening I saw Katahdin again! I was so much closer. The place we are camping is about five miles from Katahdin as the crow flies, though we still have 15 trail miles left. I can hardly believe we are so close!

so excited!

Day 185 

Wow, I can hardly believe it is my last night on the trail. I will truly miss singing with my ukulele on the trail at night. On our last night was spent with people we met yesterday or today and one hiker we hadn't seen since the Smokies.

Inside Baxter State Park

Katahdin is so close, only five trail miles away then this incredible journey will be over. I am excited to finish my hike of the Appalachian Trail but I am not ready for the adventure to be over. 

our last shelter on the trail

We're in Maine

Day 157

I enjoyed a relaxing zero day today. I was able to update my blog from the library, which makes the process much more enjoyable for me. I spent the afternoon reading a book and staying off my feet.

The Yellow Deli provided us with dinner again. They have been so generous. The kids asked me to sing again. Afterwards the children were organized and sang a song for the hikers. One boy accompanied them on guitar. Hearing the song brought tears to my eyes. I was surprised and impressed by their volume. One boy played the violin for me too. I really do hope I will have the opportunity to be a music teacher again someday!

Day 158

This morning was very hot and sweaty. It had been a while since sweat had dripped from my face. After lunch the skies opened and big, cold raindrops soaked us through in minutes. It was refreshing and short, but it left me with soggy feet and wet clothes for the remainder of the day.

The setting of the shelter tonight is beautiful. The view looks out over a mountain ridge and which is silhouetted by a pink and blue pastel sky. A pond is close by and I can hear the babbling of the water outlet.

1900 miles completed!

Day 159

I'm in Maine! It felt really good to cross the border into the final state. It also makes me really happy to be back home in Maine.

The top of Goose Mountain was windy with fast moving clouds almost close enough to touch. A family of seven passed us on the trail. That is quite amazing for a family to thru-hike with five kids.

Maine was creative with their wooden crossings

Day 160

I climbed my way through Mahoosuc Notch today. It started out fun, like a playground for adults with lots of rocks to climb over. By the end it was mostly just challenging. It rained a bit while we were there too, that added to the challenge and my desire to be done.

the boulders of Mahoosuc Notch

the arrows are helpful...

After the notch we climbed the Mahoosuc Arm. Lots of rock faces that were the trail. I pulled myself up one spot and lost my balance. I would have fallen down backwards had there not been a tree behind me. That saved me from some serious pain and injury.

Not a long day in miles but it took all day and I'm exhausted. I would like to come back someday and rehike this section without a pack. I think it would be fun with less weight.

Day 161

It was a beautiful day today! I was very aware that it was Saturday too because there were a lot of day hikers on the trail. One was kind enough to put beer in a cooler of their truck and tell Chameleon and I to each take one. How thoughtful of them.

The view from Baldpate Mountain was great. The White Mountains are getting farther and farther away and the mountains ahead of us look less intimidating.

I enjoyed some hiking on dirt today. It was so nice to have a stretch without rocks or pulling myself up or bracing myself to go down. I was quite sore the morning from Mahoosuc yesterday. Even my hands were sore.

Chameleon and I found a new way to amuse ourselves today. We randomly started talking like old ladies and making comments about the trail in the old days. It was very amusing and kept us laughing for at least mile until we had to concentrate on going down steep rocks once again.

Day 162

Today was the easiest day of hiking we have had in a long time. Lots of dirt in the trail and manageable slopes for the ups and downs. We hiked two miles per hour again! It felt great.

We resupplied in Andover at what were essentially convenience stores. The food selection wasn't great and it was pricey.  I have a feeling I will be really hungry by the next town. I may need a buffet.

Day 163

I saw Papa Al and Philco today! I haven't seen them since Pennsylvania. A man named All the Way was with them and requested that I sing for them. They each took their own video of "What a Wonderful World." It was great to see them again!

I must admit I'm grumpy today. I know a lot of it has to do with the poor quality food I had to buy for my resupply. I am happy the trail is easier than in the White Mountains but I also miss the views. Hopefully I'll sleep well and wake up feeling happier in the morning.

a hamburger bun, American cheese, hard taco shells, and a slim jim

Day 164

I was in a much better mood today. It was gray, foggy, and occasionally spitting rain this morning but I felt much better.

Late this afternoon we hiked by a pond and decided to go in. The weather was iffy so I didn't swim but I was at least able to wash off a layer of sweat and dirt. At the shelter we cooked dinner and other through hikers gave us hot dogs! I'm happy to be heading into town tomorrow to buy food at a grocery store.

Day 165

Chameleon and I are the only people in the shelter tonight! I am sure most hikers are spending the night in Rangeley but I am happy to be in the woods.

a privy for two with a cribbage board

Rangeley was a cute town in a beautiful area. Mountains surrounding a lake with trees everywhere. I loved it. I bought food for eight days and my pack looks ridiculous but neither of us were interested in another crappy resupply, so we stocked up.

poster in the laundry mat

Day 166

I thoroughly enjoyed the views from Saddleback Mountain. The wind was whipping by and dark clouds threatened to rain. I felt so alive and could have stayed so much longer. I have so many pictures of views I see, but I don't think any truly capture the way it feels to see the mountains and lakes.

Tonight I set up camp in an old road (as did a number of other hikers). The waterfall runs across the road and is soothing to listen to.

We have decided to try to make it to Monson by the third! I have to go home for the weekend because of an interview and a reunion. It would be great to make it to the beginning of the 100 mile wilderness. The end suddenly seems much closer!

Day 167

There were clear blue skies with crisp air this morning. Other than one steep, rocky down in the afternoon the hiking was lovely today. Not many views but it felt great to be outside enjoying myself.

We stopped earlier than we wanted because we didn't want to get stranded on the top of a mountain at dark. Better safe than sorry! The campsite had at least a dozen people which felt like a lot. People must be trying to finish up the trail.

Day 168

I have walked 2000 miles! Wahoo! That seems crazy and ridiculous.

Tonight I went to use the privy and had quite the surprise when I approached. There was Sugarloaf Mountain in the distance with lights all over it. I haven't seen light in the woods like that on the whole trip. It was very odd.

Day 169

This morning I was in the clouds on Bigelow Mountain. From Avery Peak the world looked like it was in black and white. The silhouettes of the mountains were gray on gray clouds with light occasionally shining through to the gray trees below. It was striking.

After rinsing off in Flagstaff Lake, Chameleon and I made dinner on the rocky beach as the sun was going down. That was our most beautiful dinner spot of the trail.

We kept hiking after dinner and used headlamps towards the very end. Hanging the bear bag was a nightmare. The rocks kept falling off, my aim was terrible, and it was the third tree that we finally managed to snag. It took almost an hour. I'll be happy when I don't have to hang my food in a tree at the end of every day. 

Day 170

The weather was perfect for hiking. There was a breeze most of the day, no humidity, and the sun was in and out of clouds. The forests looked so lush and green in the morning light.

After lunch we decided to try to make it to the Kennebec River in time to catch the canoe across by 4 pm. We hiked fast and kicked butt trying to get there but didn't make it in time. We are hoping to be first in line in the morning when the canoe arrives at 9. I'm proud of our attempt.

Day 171

We got up early and were first in line for the ferry across the Kennebec River. We shouldn't have worried though. The man was very efficient and had us loaded and across in about 10 minutes.

Our pace was much more leisurely today. I certainly was feeling a bit low on energy. I ate a few handfuls of blueberries on top of Pleasant Pond Mountain. There were so many! Two more days until we get picked up in Monson! I'm excited to have some resting time coming up.

Day 172

I forded a river today. Thankfully it was only knee deep and did not have a strong current. I was surprised that the mud had not washed off my legs after I reached the other side.

Much of the day the trail was very close to a river or a stream. Hearing running water is so relaxing and calming. I am happy I can hear the river from the shelter tonight. 

Day 173
I hiked the 9 miles into town thinking about the burger and fries I was planning to order the whole way.  When we arrived and discovered breakfast was still being served I decided on eggs, bacon, and french toast. How I have missed breakfast food! Of course I finished off my meal with a giant ice cream cone.

Marcia came to pick us up. It was wonderful to see her! She brought wash cloths so that we could clean up a bit before the ride. I felt much cleaner and was a bit disgusted by the amount of dirt I could see on the cloth. I must admit I still smelled terrible but Marcia was a good sport about it. She also brought us food!

It feels wonderful and strange to be home again. I already miss the fresh air when I'm in my room. My mom was happy to have us home. Because I haven't had cell service she was starting to wonder if we were okay. We ate Thai food for dinner and watched Wild. Normal life is feeling quite luxurious.


Day 174
I had my interview today. I think it went well but since it was for a seasonal position I don't think it will have enough hours. I will have to wait and see what happens with that. I felt so weird in professional clothing. It felt like a Halloween costume.

Chameleon and I enjoyed going to Freeport. We ate a disgusting amount of fast food for lunch, but it did satisfy our craving. We went to the art walk in the evening. There were so many people everywhere! It felt a little overwhelming to fight my way through the crowds on the sidewalks.

Day 175
Chameleon and I picked a date to summit Katahdin! We should be there on September 16th. The end is near, I can hardly believe it.

I went to visit my grandparents in the afternoon. They were happy to meet Chameleon after hearing about her in my blog. We sang a lot, with my mom on guitar and myself on ukulele.  

I went to a contra dance and realized just how happy I am with life. I hope that I will be able to be as happy after I finish the trail as I am now. I couldn't stop smiling and I didn't want to either!