Mt Katahdin, Maine, US

Leaving the campground the day after our hike we met these AT thru-hikers who had started from Georgia late February. So fun to chat and cheer them on for their last AT push - Kathdin! The guy on the left - trail name Traveller - couldn't wait to shave off that wooly patch on his face :) The guy on the near right is from Edmonton, AB, Canada. And the other fellow on the right in the background and the girl sitting in the front got married a few days before they started the AT. Their trail names were Honey and Moon. Love these AT stories and achievements. Both sets of parents of the newly-weds were here - they had provided this morning feast (trail magic!) - you see the scrape on Traveller's knee? That is fresh blood from scraping the rock "table" this picnic was sitting on: I'm thinking after the 100-mile Wilderness this food looked pretty inviting!

Taking a breather under the canopy not too far from the "finish line" - car in the parking lot @hammerhead got his mo-jo happening and had pushed on ahead :)

Which way is the best - safest, easiest - way down?! With @hammerhead and friends. Photo courtesy of Janice Rand.

My (mountain) man @hammerhead - the day before his 65th birthday xo Photo credits, Janice Rand

@hammerhead with his shoes off while eating lunch - yes he did eat more than an apple and red pepper. We all consumed a lot of water - and the light jacket we brought for the top was not needed! Photo credits: Nancy Veinot

Must have a summit photo! It was pretty crowded at the top, being a Saturday with good weather and clear skies...saw a marriage proposal with engagement ring and tears and cheers - that was cool. Took us four hours to summit - had a half hour lunch break and then another 3 3/4 hours down, which overall was better than we anticipated.

Nancy Veinot bravely bouldering: following the blue blazes. Photo credits: Janice Rand

Apparently the Abol trail route is the shortest - and the steepest. Correct - lots of looking way up. Started at 7:30, had a beautiful day - hot and sunny, great for views with a little bit of breeze once in a while.

Three friends - Shelley, Nancy, Janice - and me (left to right) all live in Lunenburg County, NS, Canada. On a hike with Shelley about three months ago she told me that hiking Katahdin has been on her bucket list since High School so I jumped in to help her make it happen! Great fun.