It's funny but as soon as I start carrying my sciatica ball, I haven't had any nerve pain. Ugh. What's the deal. This ball is super heavy so maybe I'll hiker box it. Maybe I haven't had it bc the trail is no longer flat.

So today was a really great day. It started off in the fog for bit in the morning. I was in the trees when I saw two huge elk run across the trail. They are so loud bc they are enormous in size. Such crazy looking animals. Almost computer like. I had to ration my food all day. I made myself walk five miles on an empty stomach before eating my first snack of the day. It was pretty brutal. I really regret not overpacking food this time around. I just don't get it. Last section I had way too much and now not enough. Maybe bc I stretched out the section or its prob bc of the climbs all of a sudden. I desperately wished I could pass berries to munch on but they didn't show up until around lunch time. Tons of ripe blueberries and huckleberries.

I passed so many diff types of terrain today. I loved it. And the weather was so nice and breezy. However if you're sitting in the shade, it's pretty cold. My hunger level was filled at lunch and I tried hiking as long as I could before I got hungry again. The last hour or so were pretty hard. I was starving and my tummy was growling. I tried to eat any berry I passed but it was just not enough. I finally got to where I wanted to camp but had to go off trail a bit down by the water. It's pretty windy. Tonight was the first night where I was so happy to have my stove bc it was chilly. A warm meal tasted amazing. Except I've noticed if I wrap it in tortilla it's not that good. Better to just eat w a spoon. I ate so many calories to make up for what I lacked all today. I was incredibly full but finally felt good. I think I also need more salt.

It's also cold enough tonight to sleep in my long underwear and down socks yay. The past few nights have been one leg out and in all night bc it's been so hot. I also realized my days aren't long enough where I'm exhausted enough to just pass out. I currently roll around for hours and don't sleep well. So tomorrow is only 15 miles to camp. I may get a later start. I've been walking by 630a each morning and I finish by 330-4p. I could also walk 20 to trout lake bc I really want food but then I'd have to stay in town twice which I don't want. I think the best thing to do is stick w my original plan and hike in five miles to the hwy to get into town. Hopefully I don't have to wait super long since I will have no food left by then. I honestly cannot wait for town. My own bed and room. I will get a hot meal when I arrive, pick up my box, grab a few groceries and then hibernate in my room until it's time to hike out on sun.