After sleeping more than we thought we would, we broke camp one last time in the dark. Alison and Beth arrived at 5:30 and we hurriedly had breakfast while huddled around the picnic table under the small campsite shelter. (we’d stored our food in Alison’s car, so for one night did not have to worry about bears, mice, chipmunks or squirrels.) Then keeping only snacks and several layers of clothes, we stuffed all our other camping gear in Alison’s car and stepped on the trail right at sunrise.

With Beth joining us, we walked four abreast (now there’s an AT rarity!) to the register box for the Hunt Trail, our final section of the Appalachian Trail. The ascent began very gradually until at 1.1 mile we reached a sign saying “last privy on the AT,” yet another indication our 2,000+ mile journey was coming to an end! After that, while we enjoyed the walk beside Katahdin Stream and Falls, the trail got steeper and steeper as we began a 3,000′ elevation gain in just 2.3 miles.

We’d heard the route below the tablelands was tough, but still had underestimated just how difficult it would be! Several places demanded a full body workout, with our body weights hanging precariously on a small metal prong as the only way to pull ourselves up. As a number of young machos passed, they didn’t need to resort to such tactics, but we found ourselves having to use arm-holds to help pull each other up some of the taller rock surfaces. Plus the more exposed the rock, the stronger the wind…

Finally, we crested the tablelands and N discovered his favorite section of the AT: The tableland was magnificent. All of the challenges of the trail were behind us, the next mile was flat, and the views in every direction were spectacular. We both had emotional moments bringing tears to our eyes, N as he was walking past Thoreau Spring and started singing to himself the summiting song we’d joked about for weeks; and X at the very end when she rushed forward to touch the sign!

The summit was quite crowded with everyone taking turns to get pictures with the terminus sign. Someone suggested a group picture of thru hikers, and three section hikers obliged, working their way through a pile of three dozen various cameras and iPhones. There was even a successful marriage proposal (he had brought the lump of gold he will have melted down to fashion the ring all the way from Georgia!)

After about 45 minutes, the combination of wind and some gathering clouds convinced us it was time to start the long climb back down. We hope other adventures lie ahead, but after 37 years of talking and planning, our once in a lifetime Appalachian Trail hike is complete.