JMT // Day 6

Red’s Meadow Resort → Lake Virginia 

15.5 miles

We woke up this morning feeling pretty chilly. I’ve been having a hard time sleeping from the pain in my hips. When I try and sleep on my side I feel pain in the top hip. And when I try to sleep on my stomach, my arms are cocooned in my sleeping bag and my elbows and shoulders go numb. The only way that is comfortable for me is to sleep on my back, with my feet splayed open, savasana style. Once we got out of our tents and started picking up out site, our new buddy ‘Medicine Man’ showed us the hiker boxes. These boxes were perfect. Full of all the things we needed (a lot of vegan stuff too!): peanut butter, oatmeal, tortillas, trail mix, electrolytes, instant coffee, even chia seeds are a common occurrence in these boxes. I snagged some pasta as well which I could cook for the leftover packet of Daiya cheese sauce I had in my bear box. Before heading out, we charged up our devices and I stopped in at the café for breakfast: coffee and hash browns and toast with jam. Marc cooked up his breakfast on his stove to save money. Then, one last thing, we used the luxury of the bathrooms before we went off on our day’s hike.

We walked about 14 miles to Lake Virginia, a long, steady uphill climb, running into some familiar faces along the way, while also becoming familiar with new ones.

We found a site to set up our tents, then took a dip while there was still sun to dry off in. The water numbed my body, which felt nice on my tired muscles.

We had dinner and protected ourselves from the many clouds of mosquitoes. Then we climbed in our tents for an early night after watching the sun set over the mountains around us. I’m starting to really appreciate the trail, and the routine of walking every day. It feels good to challenge my body throughout the day and to give it a rest at night. I feel incredible; strong, and determined.