The plan today is to leave town in the afternoon and hike just a little way from the trailhead to camp. A great plan, because somehow I woke up slightly hungover from last night.

The morning is spent hanging out in the kitchen and eating free pancakes, an ITH Hostel breakfast staple. After breakfast, I hang out some more and chat with other hostel guests, while also repacking my bag in the living room.

Just after lunchtime, a fantastic trail angel named Monica picks me up from the hostel, and also picks up a couple of others from a different place. She drives us out to the trailhead, and even stops to pick up pizza from Red Baron Pizza on the way out (her recommendation, and a very good choice).

Once we get out there, we hike just 2.5 miles, set up camp and eat a small dinner, I’m still full from pizza and all the town food before. Tomorrow’s plan is to hike a full day, and I still have my special dinner packed too. Just before going to sleep another hiker arrives at camp, I can’t believe it but they tell me that they had an Uber driver in town telling them about some guy named Skillet…