Together Somewhere

09-05-13 Together at the End

Nerves woke me up early. The last weather forecast we had received was 40% chance of showers. I lay in my sleeping bag praying it would hold off at least until we reached the top.

We started our last 5 miles at 6:20 a.m. with all our stuff in tow. Only 4,172 more feet of climbing to do until the end.

The first mile was easy, the second not so bad. A few boulders to hoist ourselves over. More boulders. Before we knew it we were above tree line, in the wind, and the bouldering became more difficult. The rebar sections were intimidating at first, with the wind whipping, but not impossible. A slow mile, but rewarding.

We crested the false summit to "The Tableland" and enjoyed the final 1.5 miles to the summit. As we got close to the top we could see the final summit sign. The moment we had dreamed about for so long was now within reach.

And then we were finished.

We rejoiced in the spectacular view. Throughout our morning climb, the clouds had been clearing out. No rain, only sun. Glorious sun.

As we looked back at the 100-mile wilderness, back at White Cap and beyond, we smiled as we remembered the past 170 days.

From rainstorms to sunshine, arguments to agreements--there we were on the top of the world. Celebrating not only the end of our long journey, but also our anniversary, ready for the next adventure.

Always together, somewhere.

09-04-13 Somewhere at the base of Katahdin

An easy 10-mile day to the base of Katahdin. After a small "convenience store" breakfast at Abol Bridge Campstore, we set off with our whole troop of friends--Bamboo, Shaman, Morning Kid and Mash.

Into the Baxter State Park Boundary we went for some of the nicest and most graded trail we've had. The two fords of the Lower and Upper Forks of the Nesowadnehunk Stream were tricky however. The water was thigh high, but took our time and successfully crossed without falling in.

Further on, a side trail to Big Niagara Falls beckoned us. We took a short break and explored the falls. On the way back to the trail, we ran into Mash's family, so our train of people became all the more merry.

The final miles into the Katahdin Stream Campground were a blur of bog bridges, banter and giggles.

We relaxed the rest of the day and enjoyed catching up with a few faces we hadn't seen in months--Funnybone, Restless Cowboy, Peanut.

Mash's family generously let us stay with them in their campground and fixed us burgers and s'mores. Thank you! A ranger came by in the evening and gave us our last numbers as thru-hikers. B and I will be the 314th and 315th NOBOs up Katahdin this year.

09-03-13 Crossing Abol Bridge Together

Our last day in the 100-mile wilderness. We took our time and enjoyed the trail.

At Rainbow Lake, we stopped for a break. As we were leaving, a sea plane landed in the lake.

Our only climb of the day was up to Rainbow Ledges. The trail and stream were one. We zigged and zagged up, but it was worth it. Our first view of Katahdin.

We stopped at Hurd Brook Lean-To for a long lunch since we have extra food. Spam, tortillas, taco rice and French fried onions. One of our better lunch combination.

The bog bridges signified half a mile to go, and before we knew it we were spit out onto Golden Road--a logging road named this because it cost so much to build.

We crossed Abol Bridge over the Penobscot River and saw another magnificent view of Katahdin. A thunderstorm was approaching which made the scene more enchanting.

We waited out the storm in the Abol Bridge Campstore. As the rain let up we ventured across the street to the Abol Pines Campground for the night.

09-02-13 Somewhere near Rainbow Brook

Woke up early and were packed up and moving before the rain. The trail today was fast and we completed 12 miles by 12 o'clock to the Cooper Brook Falls Lean-To.

The shelter was timed perfectly. We were able to stop out of the rain and have lunch. It was hard restarting though; venturing back out in the pouring rain.

The trail was very pretty. It meandered through the pine trees next to several lakes and rivers. Several points on the trail offered views to Katahdin. Unfortunately, the mist billowed up, and we were unable to see her yet again. It makes the mountain all the more mysterious.

We pushed hard the last two miles with the hope of sleeping out of the rain. We ended the day with 20 miles--our second highest mileage day of the trip--and snatched up the last two spots in the Rainbow Brook Lean-To.

In the shelter, we were joined by Bamboo, Morning Kid, Mash and Keystone. We enjoyed mash potatoes with bacon bits and French fried onions, tucked away from the rain.

09-01-13 Somewhere near Jo-Mary Lake

The terrain flattened out nicely as we made excellent mileage and time today. We had a small 400 foot climb over Little Boardman Mountain while the rest of the day was a gradual walk down.

We stopped for a snack at Crawford Pond and lunch at Jo-Mary Road. While we ate the crew assembled back together. B's stomach ailment was a hot topic and resulted in a cell phone call to Mash's dad and uncle (both doctors). Nothing conclusive was decided. Only B was having problems and the 100-mile wilderness is a horrible place to have problems.

Regardless we kept moving north and settled in for the night on a beach at Jo-Mary Lake. Watched the sunset then turned in for an early night.

08-31-13 Up on White Cap Together

Today the terrain was amazing. Enjoyable even. We climbed Gulf Hagas, West, Hay and White Cap Mountains.

Up on White Cap we were unable to see out, but a little farther down, we were under the clouds and got a view. Still not clear enough to see Katahdin. We will just have to anxiously await her entrance.

We started and ended the day with rain. Thankfully not when we were hiking, nor when we were setting up or tearing down the tent. This rain I can handle.

Poor B has come down with some unknown stomach ailment. He has had to stop every few hours to unload his frustrations. Luckily, Check-6, a section hiker, had Imodium for B to take. He's hoping after the generous dosage he took, he'll be plugged up for the remainder of the 100-mile wilderness.

We set up camp with our friends at East Branch Lean-To. Dined on teriyaki rice with chicken and called it an early night.