April 23, 2012.   17 miles.   3d day.    The weather today is misty and cool so I am willing to hike a little harder.

We camp at Long Creek, milepoint 37.1.   Water is relatively plentiful for this time of year, I am told.    The terrain is desolate and arid, yet beautiful.     Rock formations are striking, like fingers punching up through the ground.  

 The fellow below is my friend Nu, one of the five Japanese hiking the trail this year.   We camped together at Long Creek, haven't seen him since, but we agreed to meet up at the kickoff.    He uses only a tarp for shelter and carries no stove.    This is not unusual for thru hikers.