(Daily Mi: 16.2) I am definitely starting to wear on Brother's nerves. Temperature dropped last night and I was sawing wood to beat the band. He would periodically shout out in sleepless desperation.

I finally moved my bag and ground pad outside, but couldn't sleep and just started hiking in the dark around 5 am.

More very technical trail. Very slow going. Wanted to stop at Rice Fields just because it is a shelter on the edge of a beautiful open, high-altitude meadow. Good views when I come in. Likely to be windy and cold tonight. I pitched my tarp to avoid bugging Brother who I figured to still be behind me.

Dry spring. Have drinking water, but not enough to cook dinner. Brother spots me dinner water in a welcome peace offering.

Not sure whether I am better or worse off under the tarptent vs. the shelter. Do know that my 55 degree, hyper-light travel sack is not up to the near freezing temperatures expected tonight. Dress in everything I own and walk to the middle of the meadow to use my cell to confirm with my father that my winter bag is on its way to Pearisburg in the valley below.