I slept great up top the mountain last night and woke up refreshed. It was cold outside but warm in my sleeping bag so it took me a long time to get up. But eventually I won the battle over inertia and got up and into the cold.

In looking for something easy on my stomach, I had packed out a prepackaged loaf of Walmart bread. And so that was my breakfast. And it actually sat quite well. And so I tried to eat a cliff bar as well. That didn’t sit as well. So I gave up after a quarter of it and put the rest in my pocket. I figured I’d eat the rest when my appetite returned. 

I descended Mt Hight and climbed over South Carter, middle Carter and North Carter. The walk of only 5 miles took me close to 4 hours. I was just not able to summon the energy I needed. Once again, the lack of real food in my diet was getting to me. But at the top of North Carter, I took a moment to celebrate. There was only one mountain left in the White Mountains. And I’d go over that one shortly. 

On my way towards the next mountain I ran into a thru hiker I recognized but didn’t know. I asked how she was and she said simply “dehydrated.” I poured the rest of my water into her bottle. After these last few days, there was no way I was letting anyone get dehydrated on my watch! 

I made it to the next water source and sat there refilling water and trying to get the energy I needed to climb over the last white mountain. I still hadn’t been able to eat any more of that cliff bar and I was starting to fade. I found a pack of crackers and tried eating a few of those. 

Instantly I was better. It was like someone had finally put fuel in the car! I rocketed up the next climb. I went right over Mount Moriah and came down the other side at a pace that was pretty close to normal. It felt great. It was a good reminder that I was fine physically, I just needed to be able to eat. So with that in mind I made the decision to go to town for one more day off. Take a day and eat the plainest food around, I told myself. 

I finished the day on a long flat section and crossed the 1900 mile marker! Less than 300 miles to go! And right after that, I ran into a woman in her 60s doing trail magic with her mother. They were supporting her husband as he attempted to finish section hiking this year. I declined their offer of food but gladly accepted a cold Gatorade. And then gladly accepted a ride to Walmart from another guy in the parking lot. 

I’m back in a the same motel for another day off. But feeling pretty well! 

Key stats: 

Miles: 13

Elevation gained: 2200

Mile marker: 1900

How I’d describe tomorrows planned food intake: BRAT