Well, that was a stormy night. Took me a while to sleep because I was watching the tent brace against the wind and the pole flex and bend. I added a couple of guy lines to stabilise before I went to bed and I’m glad I did.

There was light rain too, and this combined with the desert dust made everything a bit mucky. Was a bit late getting moving but the cool weather and easy going trail made the miles relatively easy. However the wind didn’t ease until lunch and it was cold when we stopped.

Ate lunch at Sunrise trailhead, about 10miles down the road, at a bit of a natural windtunnel. We weren’t the only ones drying wet tents there, and filtering water from the animal trough.

Put on a few easy miles and a steep descent into a canyon where a handful of hikers are camping tonight, with the benefit of a small stream just about still flowing.

Julian tomorrow.

It says something about how tough yesterday was that we breezed through the day even with winds hitting 50mph on exposed ridges.

Start of the day was easy with us leaving rather late at 7.45 after breakfast. It was only a few miles into Burnt Rancheria campground (still closed at present) and a warm welcome from Pine House Cafe and Tavern. Coffee and muffin for second breakfast! Funnily, they had tables set aside for PCT hikers…. Wonder why 👃.

Then a short walk into the general store to resupply for the 3 days to Julian. The only water filter he had was the Sawyer Mini, which has a bad rep as being very slow, so I ordered a different one from Amazon to be shipped to Julian post office.

We decided to get some miles in before camp so after meeting Austin’s girlfriend and parents at Pine Lodge we pressed on to the next water source some 8 miles away. Amazing views of the desert on the way and 50mph winds at places, but the walking was easy and we polished it off. Indeed this is the first night I actually felt I had more miles in the tank.

Fun Fact: I am camped at 5444ft, over 1000ft higher than Ben Nevis.

And there is a wind advisory, so a stormy night ahead.

Set off from our glorious campsite around 7.30am, for a day of hopping between water sources. Where there was water, there was plenty and we had to ford a couple of creeks.

We soon got to Boulder Oaks campground, and a little later met up with Blue Monkey, who we were to bump into all day and eventually camp with. Turns out someone camp to the campground last night and set up a barbecue to feed the hikers and gave out ice cold beer! So we narrowly missed out on our first trail magic, but I’m sure there will be more.

Took our first break at Cottonwood Creek to filter water, and I washed my spare undies and socks. Last year at this time it was just a puddle, this year 6″ deep and flowing! It’s been a wet winter here, but great for us as we generally carry 2L of water rather than up to 6L!

Quite a gentle walk to our idyllic lunch spot at Fred Canyon, but on the way I found a watch on the ground. I pocketed it and carried on. Blue Monkey arrived, amongst others, and I asked if it belonged to anyone. Lo and behold Blue Monkey had met a guy who lost a watch earlier, and he arrived 20mins later to be presented with his watch!

The next part of the day was a tough, hot climb towards Mount Laguna. Very taxing, and I consumed litre after litre of water. My shirt is now stained with salt deposits!

Good news is that, due to Austin meeting his family tomorrow in Mt Laguna, we are taking a ‘Nero’, a near zero miles day. I will resupply with food, finally get a replacement water filter and avail myself of the facilities at the campground – my first shower since starting and a wash of my clothes. And I will have plenty of time and signal to phone Fleur 😁😁

Oh, and did I mention I lost my toothbrush on the first day? I’m not one to talk to at close quarters….

Up nice and early, about six, after having recurring dreams about waking up and then later realising I was still asleep. Went on all night, any amateur dream analysts out there?After a breakfast of strawberry oats, set off with Austin, Groot and St Nick down towards Hauser Creek. We soon moved apart at our natural pace and met up again at the creek where Austin very kindly loaned me his filter again.Weather very moderate, not too hot, which was good because there is a taxing 1500ft climb on the was to Lake Morena. The promise of the Morena Village malt shop kept me going – burger and chips – couldn’t help it!Interestingly the staff there were Chaldean Christians who fled IS from Northern Iraq.A long layup there sitting out the worst of the sun. Austin and I arrived similar times but Groot was quite a bit later, the climb is a shock if your not used to it. He’ll get his fitness soon enough.Put in a few more miles to find a spectacular campsite overlooking the lake.Groot camped in Lake Morena campground and will follow on, and Austin is meeting family in Mount Laguna day after tomorrow. My current plan is to do a big day tomorrow to get to Mount Laguna general store to buy a filter. Then maybe a zero so the others catch up.

Got up and saw the leavers off again, before my final pack up. Larry ‘Commander’ Bevins arrived as planned at 8.30am and we had a pleasant drive to the trailhead with Larry pointing out landmarks and occasional glimpses of the trail as we went. He graciously refused any payment for the petrolI couldn’t quite believe it when I arrived at the monument, an exposed spot with high winds and the barbed wire of the Mexican border behind.I donned my Calum’s Cabin and BLF gear for the obligatory photos.

Soon found a small group to walk with which was crucial because my water filter is buggered! The filter won’t work if it is frozen, and unwittingly I put it in the hold of the aircraft! At least I think that’s what happened. But as always, the trail provides and I used another lad’s filter.The weather was excellent, not too hot at all and water was unusually plentiful.It turns out I’m not the only one with a little mascot…

Well, the time for prevarication is over. I packed up my ice axe and crampons for shipping to Idyllwild and purposefully marched to the post office.

The machine for sending parcels was out of charge….. so the time for prevarication was back! A nice Starbucks later I returned to successfully send the package.

Now the reason for this is that, rather unusually for this time of year, the San Jacinto mountains are still snow covered. While it may be gone when I arrive in a week or two, I can’t be sure. If it has gone, I’ll forward the package 500 miles to Kennedy Meadows, the gateway to the Sierra mountains.

A bowl of clam chowder later (I was in full scale avoidance mode), headed back and packed my sack to make sure all was fitting well. I then got ‘Guy on a Buffalo’ to give me a pack shakedown, he was ruthless so I sent some stuff straight to Kennedy Meadows as well.

Had some great conversations with former PCT through-hikers, who are below 😁

I won’t explain the trail names, except this one …

Guy on a Buffalo

I also saw the most impressive butterfly

Picked up from the hostel by Scout himself. Great chat while picking up others and back to the house for an orientation.

Unpacked the packages I had sent here (a few bits and pieces that were cheaper to send here).

Pretty jetlagged still, but stayed up for a fantastic meal by ‘Nom Nom’ (Everyone has trail names; I haven’t earned mine yet). After some washing up retired to bed.

22 hours later and I arrived in San Diego. Given my experiences clearing passport control in New York I booked a 7.30pm (ish) train from LA to San Diego. As it happened, I got through in about 5 minutes! So a quick hop on the coach to Union Station and a quick change of ticket had me hurtling towards the Pacific Surfliner 4.08pm departure.

Staff on the train were great, plied me with snacks and wine, and there was coffee on tap! I could have listened to the train announcer for days, lovely accent.

Lucky D’s hostel was my destination, cheap and friendly.

Today, getting picked up for a drive to Scout & Frodo’s, and trying to stay awake at the correct times …

Thanks everyone for the good wishes!

The sheep, not the beer!