A lot of hikers seem to enjoy these technical, low-grade rock climbing ascents. Turns out, the bar crawl is a big ‘ol rock with a metal rung in it that you must hoist yourself up and over. Bar crawl? I didn’t know what that was, but I didn’t like the sound of it. You’re almost to the infamous bar crawl, they say. Wearing only a t-shirt (and pants, of course), I quickly put on my long sleeve, down jacket, winter hat, and gloves.Īs we get moving again, two hikers pass us going down.
But now, up here, without any shelter from the trees, the wind rips and roars. Up to this point, the weather has been ok. Large boulders and rock slabs appear, starting the climb’s technical ascent. As we cross the stream and pass the falls, the trail becomes steeper and the rocks more numerous. We walk through the campground, following signs to a well-traveled trail of white blazes.Įntering the woods, the hike is gentle… a smooth trail that follows Katahdin stream for about a mile.
#Joining hands silhouette free
With these steps complete, we’re free to go. I’m hiker #1,460 to register at Katahdin. I was hiker number #3,281 to leave Amicalola. We also receive official Baxter thru-hiker cards. He goes over basic leave no trace principles and fills out some paperwork, including our plans and an emergency contact. We then sit down at a picnic table with the ranger. For the climb up Katahdin, we’ll be swapping our backpacks for day packs, lightening our loads and carrying only the essentials. The ranger shows us a lean-to where we can leave our packs. We make it to Katahdin Stream Campground a little after 8, and head to the ranger station, where all hikers are required to register. The dust particles reflect in my headlamp, making it hard to see. A car passes us, followed by a looming cloud of dust. There will be floods and road washouts in this area tomorrow. We spend the next few hours hiking in the dark, breaking occasionally to change layers (jacket off.no wait, jacket back on.).Ī few miles in, the trail takes us along a gravel road.
Though scattered with rocks and roots, it’s at least flat. I feel excited, though a bit sad.įortunately, the trail is easy from here.
Now, with bags packed, and headlamps on, Jack and I say goodbye to our last shelter on the trail. While today’s mountain forecast doesn’t look ideal, it’s expected to be much better than the following day (our original summit plan). This wasn’t our original plan rather, a last minute push we made based on weather. Over the past 2 days, we’ve hiked over 50 miles. I pack everything up, and then hobble on sore feet and stiff legs to the privy. We need to reach Katahdin Stream Campground, the base of Katahdin Mountain, before 9am, and it’s some 10 miles away. I deflate my small camp pillow and gather my belongings around me, stalling, not wanting to leave the warmth inside my sleeping bag.īut time is ticking. The sandwich is cold and dry, but who cares. After 154 days on trail, I’m about to finish this thing.įrom my pack, I pull out a PB&J english muffin that I pre-made the night before. I would feel Maine’s cold October air on my nose, and burrow deeper into my bed.
#Joining hands silhouette full
I feel my phone vibrate, and as my alarm starts playing, I open my eyes to see the nearly full moon glowing in the forest around us.Īny other day, I would hit snooze. Jack and I have the shelter to ourselves, where we’re both fully wrapped in our sleeping bags.
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