26th April 2025

The previous night was the most disruptive night sleep we have had so far on trail. The wind battered us from every direction. Even sheltered by rocks we weren’t safe. We could hear a gust building in momentum, like a song reaching climax and we would brace awaiting the hit. We had to re-pitch the tent twice in the night. At one point the wind managed to launch the sand from the floor into our faces. In the morning everything was coated with a thin, gold-speckled layer of grit.

Sleepily we packed away the tent and moved onwards in search of water. The sky drizzled and we donned our waterproof ponchos on a windy trail ledge. It was a physically easy day of walking but mentally we were both a little fed up.

Eight miles in we reached the water source as the drizzle become rain. The tent went up and we collapsed under the shelter, instantly drifting in and out of sleep.

The rain didn’t let up, and from what we’d heard, campsites further on were even more exposed. Meanwhile, we were sheltered here and stood a better chance of getting a good night sleep. We cut our losses and stayed put, thankfully getting some shut-eye.