The greatest mountain

Katahdinsummit

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We took our time through the 100 mile wilderness swimming in lakes and waterfalls, taking in the views of Katahdin, picking blueberries, and reflecting on the journey with fellow northbounders. The terrain was relatively kind with many beautiful stretches along rivers, bogs, and large glacial lakes.  With so many water features, we feared the bugs would be horrendous, but they finally abated in the late summer.  In the middle of the wilderness, we took a side trip to Whitehouse Landing, a hostel/restaurant oasis with our fellow NOBOs.  We walked off the trail about a mile along a lake, sounded an airhorn, and a guy came across the lake in a boat to pick us up.  Our companions were compelled by the one pound cheeseburger, we got a pizza and a pint of Ben and Jerry's.  This guy has a good schick, and is certainly a shrewd businessman.

Finally we reached the goal we had been seeking....Katahdin "the greatest mountain"  For so long the mountain has been an abstraction, but we were awestruck when we got an unobstructed view from Rainbow Ledges after a wicked electrical thunderstorm. At 5,267 ft it is not the tallest mountain on the trail, but certainly the most dramatic. It is jagged and stands alone with over 4,000 feet of elevation change.  The climb was the most challenging of the trail requiring us to use our hands and scramble over huge boulders.  We have seen so many pictures of victorious thru-hikers standing behind the sign at the peak.  We wanted that.  It was a great moment to see and touch the sign ourselves.  We held hands for the last few steps, radiated joy, and shed a few tears.  If we could do this togather, I am confident we can make a life togather.  After basking in our moment over a beer, I proposed to Maribeth.  Thats right, Dirty Blonde and Backbend are engaged!

Best day of my life,

Jared