Yesterday evening while organizing my stuff just before going to bed, I made a weird turn and a strain shot through my back. This morning pretty soon after starting hiking, I felt a nagging pain in my lower back, which possibly resulted from yesterdays uncalibrated movement. My body is surely showing the effects of this long-term endurance game. It made for a rough start of the day, putting a dent in my motivation. 
I had some water left over from last night which should be enough to get me to the next water-source. Every once in a while the trail wound through the sharp lava rocks which caused me the same minor annoyance as yesterday-evening. During the second half of the morning I discovered the the potential source of the igneous scree on the trail; There were great views of Mount McLoughlin, a pretty amazing sight, rising tall between the Oregon forests, shrouded in wisps of smoke from forest fires. 
Its features reminded me of the Lonely Mountain, and I wished I had either the Hobbit or Lord of the Rings as an audiobook on my phone. Breaking for an early lunch I checked my maps and was now supposed to be close to a water-source. However, it turned out that aimed for source was no longer there. Now I had a little over half a liter left for another 7 miles during the hottest part of the day… The alternative would be to hitch to Fish-Lake Resort, 2 miles down the road. Knowing that this would make for more delay and possible dilly-dally I decided to push through. And thus began a lethargic grind through the woods. Not able to continuously drink because I had to ration, I felt the effects of dehydration for a couple of hours. In a daze I trotted along, making slow progress. At the top of the hill, with 3.5 miles left to go, I took a brief nap in the shade. During the decent towards the lake I drank the last of my water, but at this stage I felt confident confident I wouldn’t get into serious trouble. An hour earlier however I’d been a lot more worried. Relieved to have reached the water source I sat down to drink a liter, fill up the rest of my bottles, and hike on.
Even though I was now properly hydrated, I kept feeling very lethargic and tired. I was yawning constantly which I haven’t really experienced to this extent while actively hiking. Switching between podcasts and music, I tried to look for something to help me get my stride back. With little effect.
The beautiful green environment I admired so yesterday was still surrounding me and even though it hasn’t been that long since we crossed the Nor-Cal boarder, I can already tell the environment is changing. There’s a softness to the woods here, and the forest appears more welcoming. Combine this with fairly gradual climbs and descents, I found it a very pleasant change of scenery. When collecting water at the last source of the day around 1900, I had to make the choice to camp near the spring, or book it another 5 miles to the next campsite. Despite my fatigue I decided to hike further. Wanting to make it before dark, I cranked up the volume, hit shuffle on my rock-playlist and upped my pace. Maybe this was exactly what I needed, because the last 5 miles the lethargy disappeared and I was flying through the forest. I made it at the campsite just before it was completely dark and was pleased to find I had it all to myself. Pushing through has helped me shake off a bit of the daze I experienced most of the day, but now I’m ready for sleep. There’s 32 miles left to Mazama Village, where I have a package waiting, and where I might hang back to see when my buddies catch up.
Promise again that I would call her
Forget the time ’cause I’m seven hours behind
It’s probably good I didn’t call, though
But I always want to
And I’d beg you
But you know I’m never home
And I love you but I need another year alone
And I’ve tried to
Ignore it every time you phone
But I never come close
And I don’t think through things
I never get time
‘Cause I don’t think things through
7 – Catfish and the Bottlemen
