Hiking in a dry climate can be beautiful and difficult!
There are a lot of things that just can't be planned before the trail.
This first section has been brutal for finding water. We have come across it at places we didn't anticipate water and not had it at places that absolutely promise it. Each day we look at the map of possible water caches with healthy suspicion and plan our distances.
And our feet! They take an absolute pounding each day and require careful attention and care. You can't anticipate the type 'foot focus' the trail brings. Stop every 3 hours, take off shoes, take off socks, let feet air out, check blisters, apply moleskin or K-tape, put on other set of socks, put shoes on, repeat.
We're done with 77 miles and we are in one piece. We get to bring the lessons of water and feet with us now. Section 2 here we come!