And it begins . . .

After six months of planning and preparation we finally started our AT SOBO with the hike down from Mount Katahdin. Of course, to hike down from the peak of Mt. Katahdin (the official start of the AT south bound) you first need to hike UP to the peak of Mt. Katahdin. That is 4,200 feet up over a steep 5.2 mile trail. Just a little warm up bonus before your "official" hike starts.

Worth it though - the views from the peak were awesome and the combination hiking/rock climbing/bouldering getting too the top was actually a ton of fun (going back down though, not so much :)).

There was a special feeling when we started down the Appalachian Trail from Katahdin. Seeing those white blazes again, knowing these steps were finally the start of a thru-hike, the first of five million steps as we head toward Georgia. It was a mixture of excitement, satisfaction and reverence. The dream is now a reality, it is really happening.

After coming off Katahdin, our next obstacle is called the Hundred Mile Wilderness. The longest stretch of AT with no roads, towns, help anything. Just us and the woods. Expect our next update in about a week when we finally get through the wilderness and arrive in Monson, Maine. Until then.

Katahdin Peak

Erik at Peak Cairn

Erik at Thoreau Spring

Katahdin Plaque

Hunt Trail

Hunt Trail down the Spine

Katahdin Falls

Bridge over Katahdin Stream

Mountain Flowers

Fragile Tundra Flowers

Google Crew

PS - On our way down we ran into the Google Film Crew. Our photo will be merged into the Hunt Trail on the Google App :). Proof we were there - will post the URL when we get it.

#BaxterStatePark #MountKatahdin #AppalachianTrail #hiking