Thu Jun 5, 2014 @ 22:00

Day 67 - VA 630 to Trout Creek VA 620

18 miles

When will I move beyond my struggles out here?

I did ok today but started grousing near the end of the day. I want to be done hiking by 5:30. Truthfully, I want to be done sooner than that but it's just not realistic.

Today, when we weren't done hiking by 5:30, I lost my patience with all the hard work of the day. I'm just tired of this pace.

This thru-hike is not what I thought long distance backpacking would be. The mismatch of reality and expectation is always hard.

The terrain today was beautiful, notably no rhododendrons but lots of pine. We hiked the ridge of Sinking Creek Mountain with views to the east. Crossed the Eastern Continental Divide. The camera is still not working, except for a couple photos I was able to take today.

Late this afternoon, as we were walking the ridge on Brush Mountain, we made a plan to have supper at The Home Place tomorrow night. We placed a call with the good cell coverage on the ridge to arrange a shuttle pick up at VA 311 tomorrow afternoon. This gives us something to look forward to and raised our spirits a bit for the remainder of the day.

When we arrived at Trout Creek we decided to camp here for the night instead of hiking another 1.2 to Pickle Branch Shelter. We'll be refreshed in the morning and that 500 ft elevation gain will be an easier walk.

It was dark by the time I was doing dishes in the creek. I've prepared a hot water bottle tonight for the camera. Hoping the heat might help dry it out. I massaged @toesalad's feet and am now going to bed, quite late, at 10 pm. Planning to sleep in tomorrow morning because we need the rest.