Day 2: Tent Night & First Morning Thoughts
The tent night was thankfully not cold, though far from peaceful. Part-slept, part-endured the symphony of snores from every direction – and I mean every direction! We were up just after six, brewed some hot chocolate, and while I packed up our gear and the tent, my little sidekick bravely declared it was awesome. That’s the main thing – as long as he enjoys sleeping outside. By 8:45 AM, we were hitting the trail for more miles. Today, I saw the weariness in both him and myself more than yesterday. Right from the get-go, it was clear this day would involve a lot of carrying.
Lunch, a Lookout, and a Burst of Energy
Before 11 AM, we hit our first checkpoint: Wintrovka bistro. Finally, a moment to rest and, for me, a chance to ditch the accumulated trash. Seriously, I’m not competing for the ‘most garbage carried’ award! We even climbed the lookout tower before pushing on past eleven.
Our next stop was the second checkpoint, where we devoured a well-deserved lunch. For my sidekick, pasta with tomato sauce; for me, chicken tikka masala. After a coffee, we were back on the move an hour later. He was already wiped, so we alternated between walking and being carried. Those hills definitely made their presence known.
Second Camp & Tomorrow’s Game Plan
Around 4:30 PM, we rolled into camp. After a tough day, he suddenly caught a second wind and immediately dove onto the playground. While I set up the tent, I hung our socks and boots out to dry – no one wants wet feet on the trail. For dinner, my son enjoyed chicken with pasta, while I went for a second helping of masala. I’m a little scared of how much that’s going to burn tomorrow.
I’d promised him a soda or an ice cream, but no such luck – nothing available at the campsite. Hopefully, there’ll be a chance tomorrow. It’s 7 PM, we’ve done our hygiene, and we’re already settling in for the night. He’s been out cold since 8 PM. I still need to stay up a bit longer, we’ll see if I manage it. Here’s hoping tonight’s sleep is a bit better than last night’s!
Daily Summary:
- Today’s Hike Distance: 21.28 km
- Total Time on Trail: 7:08 hrs
- Elevation: Gain 439 m, Loss 383 m
- Day’s Highlight: My son pushing past the fatigue to run wild on the playground after a tough day.
