I had arranged a lift with Arlo back to the trail for around 9am, so emerged from my tent around 7.30. After taking only a few strides, I heard the exclaimation ‘Michael!’ and standing there was Freddy! You may recall from other parts of this blog that I hiked the West Highland Way with Freddy last summer. He started on April 4th and as I had done a few days ago he hitched from Paradise Valley Café into Idyllwild. He came in late and after I retired for the night he unknowingly pitched his tent yards from mine.

It was a wonderful surprise and we went to breakfast together at the Red Kettle. He is nursing a swollen ankle so will take a day off.

I introduced him to Arlo who generously offered him a ride too when he needed it.

I hiked the 2.5 miles, 1600′ climb back to the PCT while struggling for signal to give Fleur a phone call. After a while we gave up and I decided to hike on another 1000′ climb in hope of getting the T-Mobile signal from Palm Springs which I had used in previous days. It worked; I was rewarded with a long call with my favourite person 😁

I also bumped into Frogking again. He had eaten/drunk something bad and yesterday was on the mountain exploding from both ends – poor guy! Lovely man, hope to bump into him again.

More snow on the trail today, though nothing hazardous. I decided to try my Petzl Leopard crampons with the new Lowa boots. It was great, rather than picking my steps carefully I could just pace through regardless.

Tomorrow I will tackle Fuller Ridge which will be a cinch with the setup I now have. Bodes well for the Sierras.

Over the next 19 miles I will descend an astonishing 8000′ to San Gorgonio Pass. Sadly I will then have to regain most of it!