I did it! I summitted Katahdin at about 10am on the 23rd…it was a beautiful, clear day. I ended the hike feeling very satisfied with what I’d accomplished.
I’ll be taking a bus today from Medway to Bangor, then picking up a rental car at the airport. I’m planning to spend a few days exploring Acadia National Park, then will lazily drive the rest of the way back to Indiana.
I’ll send out an epilogue when I return home.
I’m almost there! I’ll have another resupply in the 100-Mile Wilderness, but Monson is my last town stop.
The shoes I’d worn since Delaware Water Gap were rapidly disintegrating, so I had to have REI send a new pair to Stratton. I haven’t had any other gear problems, thankfully, and I’m still feeling healthy and strong, so my last week on the trail should be an enjoyable one.
It’s unfortunate that I won’t be summitting Katahdin with any of my hiking companions (my illness has dropped me too far behind), but I’m content to finish alone, just as I started alone. As much as I enjoy being on the trail, I’m ready to bring this hike to a close and begin preparing for my next adventure.
I’ll send out a final update and upload my final batch of photos as soon as I return to civilization.
I’ve made it to Maine, the fourteenth and final state on the trail. The hiking continues to be tough, but enjoyable…I hiked through Mahoosuc Notch a few days ago, a natural obstacle course that’s considered the toughest mile on the trail. I saw my first moose yesterday, which was a neat experience.
New photos have been posted in the Mid-Atlantic and Southern New England albums.
I don’t know if I’ll have Internet access from here on out, so don’t be surprised if it’s a few weeks before I send out another update.
I’ve made it through the bulk of the Whites…I was very impressed with the Franconia and Presidential Ranges, even though the trails were among the most difficult I’ve ever encountered. I really enjoyed the climb up to Mount Washington (6288′), but it was quite a circus at the summit.
I just received news that I was infected with ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease that was causing my exhaustion and dehydration issues. I had some blood tests done in Hanover and started taking antibiotics, and I feel like I’m back to 100% now.
I was reunited with my friends Scrubs and Jay yesterday; it was great to see them, since it’d been so long since I’d seen anyone familiar. We’ve got about 10 miles left before the Maine border, and just under 300 miles remaining before Katahdin…I’m definitely starting to get excited.
I’m in the Whites, and feeling great! The trail has been very rugged and difficult here…I had one of my best days of the hike yesterday, and only covered 14 miles. It’s supposed to be very hot the next 3-4 days, so I’m going to take it easy and focus on staying hydrated…I only hiked 4 miles this morning, and am taking the rest of the day off.
I’m much more relaxed than I was at this stage in my PCT hike. I know I’ve got plenty of time to finish, so it’s really nice to put in some easy days and not feel completely wiped out in the evening. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve seen another thru-hiker, but it’s refreshing to interact with people who aren’t part of the long-distance hiking culture.