Our bodies are set to sunrise, even room darkening blinds can’t compete with that. After having an early wake up, Warthog and I went down for breakfast at the hotel. We didn’t eat much, mostly because there wasn’t much to eat. It was a small continental breakfast. Afterwards we went back to the room to organize our gear. Since we will slack pack the ten or so miles from where we were picked up to our campsite, we don’t need most of our gear. Some stuff went into a pile designated for things we wouldn’t need again this trip. That was a surreal moment for me. To be completely finished with some items.
While I organized, Warthog ran to the grocery store to pick up food for the next couple of days. He also got a second breakfast for us from McDonald’s. When he got back, we filled my pack with the items we would need for tonight; tent, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, toiletries, stove, etc. The stuff we needed for today, he carried. The rest we would leave with Snow Monkey’s parents until my mom arrived and I could transfer it to her.
We were ready to go at 10a, but first stopped by Subway to get our lunches. We still had the drive back to where we were picked up. By the time we reached the park and were ready to go, it was between 11a and 11:30a. We started at the border of the park. Just a little bit in we reached an unmanned station where hikers are asked to register. It sat at a fork in the trail. To the right was a trail leading to the campsite we would end up at marked with the distance 4.2 miles. The AT went left. It eventually brought you around to that same campsite, but had you hiking more than twice that at just over nine miles. We’ve been at many of these literal forks in the trail several times now. One way is the tempting shorter way, but the AT isn’t so kind, it likes to draw things out. It’s never a question for us. We always hike the white blazes. Although I think there are a number of people who make the opposite choice. They short themselves I guess. Because I’m sure there are beautiful things the AT offered up in those extra miles that they missed.
It was a very hot day. We are in the middle of a record breaking heat wave. Lucky for us, we walked along a river for much of today. The breeze lifted off of the water and cooled the air around us just enough to keep us comfortable. Several miles in we came to a spot on the river where a dozen other thru-hikers were sprawled out on a big rock face. It was so inviting. We all looked at each other and decided this was a good place to eat lunch.
The water came up and over the rock at some spots. It created a sort of natural water slide. It sounded like all of the other hikers had fun sliding through it. None of us went down. Mostly I was being lazy. I had perfectly dry, powdered feet and didn’t want to get them all wet. After we finished lunch and left, I regretted not living in the moment and sliding in the water. I won’t hold onto that regret too much, there have been a lot of amazing things I’ve taken advantage of the opportunity to do while here.
Our miles went by fast. We arrived at our campsite early. Luckily the ranger was in at the station so we could get registered and check into our site. As thru-hikers, we have to register at the station. Baxter State Park is issuing a finite number of thru-hiker permits. This permit allows you access to their thru-hiker specific campground called, “The Birches”. It also allows you seven days access to the park to summit. Warthog and I were numbers 1,004 and 1,005. At Harper’s Ferry (the psychological halfway point) we were 1,079 and 1,080. Getting that card felt like you had just received your cap and gown for commencement. It was the official decoration that made this graduation real. Holy cow. This is happening.
After leaving the ranger’s station we headed out to find our campsite. We rented a site in the normal area because only thru-hikers can camp in the Birches and Jenny will be with us. Snow Monkey and Wonder Woman could have stayed in our site too, but decided to stay in the lean-to site their uncle had reserved so they didn’t have to breakdown a tent in the morning.
We set up camp. After a while, I saw a van pulling down the lane that I assumed to what my family was driving. They stopped short of our site. So I walked out in front like I was mimicking being Big Foot. I couldn’t see through the glare of the windshield and when the van didn’t move or windows didn’t go down, I got nervous that I made a fool out of myself in front of someone else’s family. Finally, a window went down and I heard my mom call out. I breathed a sigh of relief. Then took turns hugging my sister, mom, and grandpa. They informed me that I stunk, something you get used to hearing. I told them I was only dirty by one day, so I should still be fresh.
Once they got there we all jumped in the van and found Snow Monkey and Wonder Woman’s site so our families could cook out together. We had hotdogs, fruit, coleslaw, chips, and other goodies for dinner. I knew I needed to eat, but surprisingly wan’t that hungry. I was, however, tired. We hung out for about an hour or hour and a half before family left. It was 6:30p and they only had a half hour of sunlight. Both have a good drive ahead of them. My mom and grandpa had probably and hour and a half still. Driving in the backwoods of Maine can be dangerous at night. That is if any of these fabled moose walk out in front of you. I’m not sure these things really exist since we never saw one on the trail. Not that I’m bitter about it or anything.
Our goal was to be in bed by 7p. By the time I went through Jenny’s bag with her to prepare it for tomorrow and showed her how to set things up, etc., it was 7:30p. She was exhausted from her long drive and passed out quickly. Warthog was the next asleep. It was a hot night. I was barely in my bag. My sleeping liner was enough weight to keep me warm. Between the noise and the heat, I had a hard time falling asleep. Then I stressed about not sleeping. I really needed to rest. We planned a 1:30a wake up. A time that is absolutely necessary if we wanted to be on Katahdin for sunrise.
I laid awake listening to the noises in the park. It sounded like a frat house from all of the whooping and cheering. Our site was just next to where the Hunt Trail (the trail the AT follows up) comes out of the woods. I listened to several groups coming out in full spirits, excited at their accomplishment. I was excited for them too, it was hard to be annoyed at them. Their celebration made it easy to imagine what we will feel tomorrow when we come down. I cannot wait. Finally… sleep.
-ansel