April 26, 2021
Mile 20 to Mile 41.5
Ugh I am FROZEN. I kept waking up last night so finally just decided to get up around 5:30am. Last night was pretty chilly but I was fine in just my long underwear once my sleeping bag warmed up. I packed up and used the washroom one last time before heading out.
I had a quiet morning to myself. It was peaceful and a little chilly. Overcast so I had my rain jacket on but not uncomfortable. I made it to a campground where people were just beginning to get up. I had a few odd encounters as I filled up on water. One guy was just standing in the outhouse on his phone. He was “warming up” but had on three jackets and down pants. I told him once he started walking he’d warm up.
Around 9am or so it began misting. Pretty light but it soaked through my clothes and pack after an hour or so. I only saw a couple other thru hikers today. We briefly said hello before parting ways.
I wanted to take it easy today but I realized I could make it to Mount Laguna before 4pm when the post office closed. If I didn’t go today I would have had to wait until noon tomorrow to pick up my next resupply. And because I can’t back down from a challenge I booked it to Mount Laguna. It also got a lot colder and started raining harder so I couldn’t even take a break anyway or I would freeze.
I walked 0.8 miles into Mount Laguna and it starting downpouring. I was soaked through and was honestly ready to cave and book a room at the lodge even though this is only my second night. I swear there were even snowflakes coming down.
I got to the post office and picked up my package. There were quite a few hikers hanging around the lodge figuring out plans. The lodge was all booked out so I followed four guys back to a campground near the trail. I was shivering and my teeth were chattering so I quickly pitched my tent and changed into dry clothes. I huddled up in my sleeping bag until I warmed up a bit.
While I was regaining strength, Sarah (who I hiked with yesterday) and Karinn (who I met at camp last night) rolled in. Another girl named AB came in too. They were all just as cold as me. The boys were very nice and lent them dry clothes. The boys took a Zero today and stayed at the lodge last night so they were in comparatively good shape.
Karinn was really struggling so I boiled her some water and gave her my last dry socks (?). The girls ate in their tents but I cooked out with the boys under a tarp and chatted with them for a bit. Karinn wasn’t feeling better so the boys found a hiker with a room she can stay with. They walked her over and now I’m hunkered down in my tent.
The weather looks like its gonna turn around tomorrow, still a little chilly but at least sunny. I need some sun because all my clothes are soaking wet still. It will not be a fun morning tomorrow.