Today we got up at 5:45am and hiked out by 6:30am. The trail was supposed to be rather flat and the weather not too hot. Unfortunately our packs were still very heavy. That dinner from yesterday did not make much difference. Somehow I ddi not have much energy although I slept well so I took one caffeine pill but since it did not make anything I decided to take one more two hours later. The second one helped but all I could focus on was Connie and how heavy she was. Today I did not mind having just one trekking pole because I could use the free hand to lift up my left shoulder strap a bit and help my shoulder. At one point a rather sharp pain went through my back to my neck because of the heavy load.

By now our bodies have definitely gotten stronger and used to the increased physical activity but whenever my pack is heavier my back will tell me. Sure it has also gotten stronger but that part of the body probably won’t ever be completely pain free. Specifically the shoulders and not my lower back that has normally been causing me troubles. Thankfully we got to our tentsite before 7pm today but before we set up our tents we decided to have dinner because the clouds were a little bit dark around us. Although we heard thunder several times the sky eventually cleared up and we could set up our tents and go to sleep while listening to a couple of cows nearby with their bells. Just like being back home in the Alps.