Days 140 to 147: Don’t let your dreams be dreams

Monson, ME to KATAHDIN

July 20th. Mile 2189.1

I’m done.

My last week on the trail felt like a dream. It was filled with waterfalls, swimming, beauty views, and lots of quality time hanging out with my bubble. In Monson we made the best plan for the 100 mile wilderness. We sacrificed summiting on the 19th for a more moderate mileage plan to make our last week more enjoyable.

We sat at the Lakeshore Pub for probably 5 hrs that day. Our 100 mile planning required some serious break time.

We sat at the Lakeshore Pub for probably 5 hrs that day. Our 100 mile planning required some serious break time.

The 100 mile wilderness was incredible. It lived up to all the hype. Almost immediately after we had entered into the wilderness everything felt different. The scenery seemed to change into a world that was so untouched. It was beautiful.

Entering the 100 Mile Wilderness

Entering the 100 Mile Wilderness

My favourite memory was the day we stayed at Antlers Campsite. Roller and I had our typical morning sit at a beauty view on Little Boardman Mountain. You could see the White Cap range (which we had climbed the previous day). She found some blueberries and we sat and ate food enjoying the sunshine and mountain views. After about and hour of resting we pressed on. As soon as I arrived at our lunch spot, Cooper Brook Falls Lean-to, I was greeted by Cosmo, White Rabbit and Large shouting at me to get in the water. There was a series of cascades that ended with a perfect little swimming hole. We had such a good time just hanging out in the water. We ended the day camping at Antlers Campsite which is a picturesque spot on a small point on the shores of Lower Jo-Mary lake. I am so thankful these guys helped me slow down and make the most out of this adventure.The wilderness provided a seemingly never ending game of peekaboo with Katahdin. At first she seemed so distant and seeing her didn’t really phase me. But within a couple of days we had a 16 mile line-of-sight view of her and it really started to hit how fast this was all going to end. It felt incredibly bittersweet. I was ready for a change and was missing home like crazy but at the same time did not feel ready to say goodbye to these people and lifestyle. But that’s just how life works – it’s constantly changing whether we’re ready for it or not.

Seeing Katahdin for the first time!!

Seeing Katahdin for the first time!!

Katahdin

Oh how I have played out this day in my head over and over. It came as no surprise that it was very different and even better than I could have imagined. We woke up fairly early in order to meet Cosmo and his Dad (Sundog). Cosmo’s Mom graciously offered to slackpack us to the other side of the mountain so we could take different trails down.

My Brother (Timbit) kept up with my overly excited rushing up the mountain pase

My Brother (Timbit) kept up with my overly excited running up the mountain pace.

I began the climb with my brother (Timbit) on my tail. I was over the moon with excitement. Katahdin has to be my favourite climb on the trail. It was a constant uphill with some rocky scrambles and ended above tree line. I loved every minute of it.

Watching my trail fam reach the summit was the best!

Watching my trail fam reach the summit was the best! White Rabbit had such a good reaction.

I will never forget the moment I was able to see the summit sign for the first time. I stopped dead in my tracks and just stared. It was a “someone please pinch me” moment. I could not believe this was actually happening. But there we were, summiting Katahdin.

WE DID IT! Family Picture (clockwise): Tripping Billy, The Bernstein Bears (Rob and Claire), Me, Large, White Rabbit, Atlas, and Roller. Just missing Cosmo (he made it a little while after I left the summit).

WE DID IT! Family Picture (clockwise): Tripping Billy, The Bernstein Bears (Rob and Claire), Me, Large, White Rabbit, Atlas, and Roller. Just missing Cosmo (he made it a little while after I left the summit).

Roller, Atlas, Timbit and I hit up the Knife’s Edge on the way down. A one mile stretch of super fun rocky scrambles on a ridge line with AMAZING views. We had such a good time.

Roller, Atlas, Timbit and I did the Knife's Edge together. It was AMAZING!

Roller, Atlas, Timbit and I did the Knife’s Edge together. It was AMAZING!

Basically, this was the adventure of a lifetime. It challenged, encouraged, and helped me discover the person I want to be. It was far more than I ever dreamed it to be.

DONT LET YOUR DREAMS BE DREAMS! Just do it.

 

Dill

Affiliate Disclosure

This website contains affiliate links, which means The Trek may receive a percentage of any product or service you purchase using the links in the articles or advertisements. The buyer pays the same price as they would otherwise, and your purchase helps to support The Trek's ongoing goal to serve you quality backpacking advice and information. Thanks for your support!

To learn more, please visit the About This Site page.

Comments 2

  • David Odell : Jul 30th

    Congratulations on finishing your AT hike. Enjoyed your journal. David Odell AT71 PCT72 CDT77

    Reply
  • Eddy Grunenwald : Aug 2nd

    Lisa,
    Congratulations on completing your NOBO! Been enjoying your posts and appreciating your approach to the challenges. Best of luck. LYOL!

    Reply

What Do You Think?