Mile 2176.2

Yep that's right we've completed the Appalachian Trail. James & I summitted with about 10 other hikers on the afternoon of September 14th. Mt. Katahdin was quite a hike-a 5.2 mile hike up to the mountain with an elevation gain of 4,000 feet. There was a lot of rock climbing on the way up with most above tree line. So the hike in of itself was difficult but the weather added to the difficulty. It was going to rain that afternoon...so lots of clouds & the wind was at about 40 m.p.h. with the temperatures in the 40's. We left the base of the mountain at 7:00 a.m. and got to the top at 10:20 a.m. We only stayed for a few pictures & had to head back down. I was feeling a bit weird descending...but I kicked it into high gear to get down more quickly. We officially got done at 12:50 p.m. We were welcomed by a fellow hikers family with hot stew, rolls, and drinks. We were so happy to finish and we got a ride out of Baxter State Park by the A.T. Lodge out of Millinocket, ME. We got our calorie fix in town, stayed at the Lodge and got to enjoy one last day with our trail friends. We are slowly on our way home to Virginia-currently in Baltimore, MD. We will be meeting a college roommate of James's today & then either getting a ride from friends or taking public transportation down to Richmond. We aren't sure how we feel yet about civilization but I guess we better adapt soon! Thanks again for the support along our journey!

The Unwashed Meet the Upper Crust

Here's a link to an article that I am quoted in, in the New York Times...kinda fun! :)

http://travel.nytimes.com/2008/08/29/travel/escapes/29ConnHike.html?pagewanted=1