Episode 44: Day 84-85

Day 84:

Absolutely no motivation to get back to trail today. Feeling anxious about my food (too little or too much), anxious about my gear (I keep breaking things) and anxious about my timeline (am I going to make it in time?).

Ahhhhh! I’m taking a mental health day – I’m taking a zero.

The most productive part of my day was the very frustrating 40 minutes I spent figuring out how to replace the tips of my trekking poles. The rest of the day I was eating in bed and watching television.

Before bed I played my ukulele which really helped lift my spirits. I needed that.

Tomorrow is a new day.

0 miles today.

—

Day 85:

Woke up and packed my bag. Called a Trail Angel who was glad to give me a lift to the PCT at 11am. Thanks Mike!

Wow… my pack is stupid heavy. Hasn’t felt this heavy since day 1. I think the verdict is in – too much food. I may or may not be traumatized from running out of food in Yosemite.

Still not feeling strong today. Took a long break at a lake. A bunch of boy scouts showed up desperately looking for water, apparently they had run out. I offered to help, since they were using a manual pump and I had a gravity filter, but the troop leader wanted the boys to do it themselves – builds character or what not.

Pushed on a bit more and came to Aloha Lake. Pictures do not do this place justice. Gorgeous.

Hiked for another couple of miles and camped by a stream (tastes better than lake water).

Played ukulele, ate dinner, and went to sleep.

10 miles today.

Lake Break:

Aloha: