Day 138 - Wednesday, August 25, 2021

SUMMIT DAY

I stayed up till about 10 pm last night sitting alone by the campfire; everyone else was already sound asleep. I am only getting 5 hours sleep when camping so there was no sense going to bed earlier and waking at 2-3 o’clock. I was also thinking about all that has been accomplished getting to this point. I woke up at 4:30 and quietly began getting ready. Everyone else was awake by 5 am as we wanted to be at the Katahdin Stream Campground (Hunt Trail) by 6 am.  We left the Abol Campground and was at the Hunt Trail promptly at 6 am. 



Water…check, trekking poles… check, let’s roll 😉.



At the Hunt Trail…


One final check-in. I see Mogul & Maverick have started before us. As did Swamp Iris & Sugar Gal (Mackinnon).





Jenny hiked about 1/2 mile with us then said her good byes.




Getting ready to hit the more aggressive trail and bolder fields… 



It’s about this time I feel this annoying throbbing pain in my left knee, I just got stung by a mud wasp 😡.




Katahdin Stream Falls.



Just a walk in the woods…. 🥵.



A view of Owls Nest…



Today’s first look of Katahdin. 













Making our way up to the Gateway.



Beginning of the Tableland. The worst is behind us… we hope!




Half way across the Tableland at Thoreau Spring. One mile to the summit.





Eureka!!!




We’ve made it to Springer and now Katahdin but we still have a little more work to do to complete our Ultimate - Platinum Slack Pack Flip - Flop - Flip Thru Hike. 




Congratulations “Navigator” 🎉! Sixteen years of tenacity and fortitude paid off 👍🏻.

Now the descent down the Abol Trail and it’s bolder field. 





Looking back up at the summit as we make our way down the Abol Trail. Nothing but memories… and 3000 ft of elevation. Still have another 1000 feet to go.

We finally made it back down to the Abol Campground around 3 pm. It was an unforgettable day!


Till next time... Happy Hiking  🥾 

😋


“Acts of generosity in this wild and primitive setting…where basic amenities…are intentionally absent–are often received in a heightened sense of wonder and gratitude by hikers. These acts of generosity are referred to as “trail magic.”

                  (Appalachian Trail Conservancy)


Comments

  1. Katahdin!!! Congratulations!!! 🎉

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad that I could finish my AT hike with you guys! Happy Trails as you finish your journey.

    ReplyDelete

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