Day 202 (HDT 18)

Day 202 (HDT 18): 28 miles

After leaving town, it would be a 40 mile stretch without water, so we both went to the gas station in the morning and grabbed some more liquid for capacity. I said liquid not water cause I got Dr Pepper cause why not.

Upon leaving town, I called a buddy to catch up while I had service for a bit. This is something I like to do while walking to pass the time and stay in touch with friends, but I definitely did it a lot more last year. Cell reception was much better along the triple crown trails than the more remote ones I’m doing this year. And none probably more remote and less cell covered than the Hayduke.

Although it was 40 miles without water out of town, we were able to cover good ground today cause it was all dirt road walking. Even with a late start and HEAVY packs, we were able to cover 28 miles. Leaving town I brought food for 100 miles/5 days and was carrying 8 liters of water, in addition to all my normal gear, it was pretty heavy. It didn’t feel awful at first, but as the day went on I definitely felt it in my back. I also tightened my hip belt to shift more for he weight to my hips instead of back, and by the end of the day it felt like I had a hip pointer. Hoping it feels better in the morning.

We ended the day at sunset cause we were just about to hit a cross country stretch after road walking all day. Of course we would hit that just as it was getting dark and we need light to see, which is not the case on a roadwalk. I wasn’t mad though. With my hip, I would’ve ended the day early anyways. Whenever I’m carrying a heavy ass pack, my philosophy is always to take it easier in the beginning, and then cover more ground later when the pack is lighter. It is a form of procrastination and counting on “future me” but it seems to work well.

Song of the day: story of a girl-nine days