Repair and reorganize

Day: 05

First camp – 16.05.2000

We crawl out of our tent with the first rays of sunshine. It was another relatively cold night, but I’m glad that the weather is kind to us. We urgently need good weather, especially at the start of this big trip. Persistent rainfall would not only be unpleasant, but would also damage our morale, which is already under pressure, and the constant work to improve our equipment and saddles. After a quick breakfast – muesli and a cup of tea – I start to knock Istan’s front saddle pads into a better shape with an iron bar. During the first few kilometers of the march we noticed that his saddle was crooked and I think it was due to the different padding we had stuffed. Tanja reorganizes her kitchen while Jo sews over some of the Velcro fasteners. Again we are busy all day preparing everything for tomorrow’s onward march. I hardly sleep at night. I’m constantly thinking about setting off and, to be honest, I’m terrified that something could go wrong again.