Petra and I leave the next morning. I’ve added a few blankets, a few changes of clothing, about a week’s worth of rations for myself and Petra, a wood axe, three torches, a hammer, a spade, half a dozen stakes, a needle and thread, and two waterskins to my pack. It’s still pretty light, probably because of my increased strength and vitality.

Petra has tied her back together out of the extra large bedroll she has, with straps made of extra rope. “I am willing to share my tent with ...