AT '18 "Low Morale"

Day #3 Hawk Mountain Shelter to just before Lance Creek Campsite

March 11, 2018

I stayed super warm last night so that's a plus. Owls that sounded like howler monkeys woke me up throughout the night but I was able to fall asleep quickly again. I got an early start before everyone, I haven't been cooking breakfast so I just pack up and leave while I eat a granola bar or dried mangoes. The day started out nice but began to rain about halfway through. I pushed myself too hard today. It was raining hard about a mile before Lance Creek and my right foot and left knee were throbbing. I saw a nice stealth site on the left and decided to camp here for the night instead of pushing another mile to the campsite. It's foggy and rainy and windy and it felt weird to already be camping by myself.

Shortly after setting up though, two women showed up with their dog and set up close by as well. My fingers are numb. It was blowing so hard when I was trying to set up my tent that I wanted to scream. I'm pretty sure it's going to leak tonight because I gave up on setting it up properly. Once in here, I peeled off all my wet clothes, pulled on my dry stuff and crawled in my sleeping bag, exhausted. Morale is very low. I ate and ate and ate just random snacks in my food bag because I don't have the energy to cook. I ate some jerky and chocolate and trail mix and mangoes. The thought of getting out to hang my food bag in the rain when I'm finally dry and warm is too much. I'd honestly rather get eaten by a bear. So right now I'm using my food bag as a pillow and am calling Mom, Gagoo and Pap. Hearing their voices made me feel better and not quite as lonely.