Coffee. You need it. The good news is that it is readily available on the trail. The bad news is that you may not find a shop that’s open until your SECOND hour of walking – 7am is pretty standard.
In Estella, we were the last two to get beds, and they were in a stairwell. Actually, this suited me fine. I had an uncanny ability to pick beds next to the loudest snorer in the room. The hallway offered one night of respite. Bring earplugs even if you sleep like a log.