Technically the day isn’t over yet. I’m cooking — Spanish rice with tuna in tacos — and there’s nothing else to do, so this is a good moment to catch up. I used to make the rice with chicken, but tuna has more protein for the same weight and costs around CHF 3 less. No idea why.
The sun woke me up again. You feel the heat before you’re fully conscious, and the only thought is to get out of the tent as fast as possible. Not a pleasant way to start the day.
The morning was slow. I found water, filtered it, and once I had some shade I had breakfast and read for a while. While I was eating, a bird flew in through the open tent door. Fortunately it found the exit quickly — which is more than can be said for most insects.
After breakfast I tested the solar panels for the first time. Very impressed. One thing confirmed, though: my tent is not sun-resistant. I’d always suspected it got too hot too fast inside. Turns out the panels charged just fine through both layers of the tent — which tells you something about what the fabric does and doesn’t block. Probably still better than sitting in direct sun. Probably.
A few hikers passed during my slow morning, including the one I’d walked with the day before. I was able to point some of them toward the better water source. I didn’t set off until 1pm.
At some point I reached a pleasant river crossing — warm but not unpleasant. Around 3:30pm I stopped, ate some beef jerky, and thought about water logistics. The new bag works well but sits inside the pack, which means I have to unpack to check how much is left. I’ve been considering moving the three-litre bag to the outside and keeping a smaller reserve inside. Most of the time three litres is enough between water sources — unless it’s very hot or very far. Still thinking it through.
Shortly after, I spotted a medium-sized rattlesnake on the trail. It disappeared into the bushes so fast I couldn’t get a video. Interestingly, once it was gone I heard nothing more — but hikers behind me still heard the rattle in the undergrowth.
About 6.5 miles further I reached a bridge with a beautiful spot below — idyllic, good water, appealing campsite. I’d only covered around 13 miles at that point, so I stopped for a break, filtered water, talked to a few people, then kept going. I’d given myself a mental range of 0 to 7 more miles. I ended up doing more than 7, and felt good enough when I arrived to briefly consider going further. I didn’t know what was ahead, so I stayed.
The last mile was in darkness, around 9:30pm. I’d filmed a video that would have been great — and then it disappeared. I can’t find it anywhere. Genuinely frustrating. I’m starting to think about a GoPro or something similar. Others wear them on their chest or pack. With the solar panel I’d have enough power. Another decision to make, another expense to consider.
The bushes were relentless today. My pack caught on everything. Nothing helped.
All in all a good day. I felt strong. Now I’m sitting with dinner, water nearby, everything fine.
Around 11:30pm a group of night hikers passed by and shone their lights straight through the tent walls. Interesting to be on the other side of that for once.