Day 18 - PCT 2024
Miles Hiked: 7.8
Total Ascent: 2,008.9 ft
Total Descent: 1,598.4 ft
I slept warmer last night despite the wind. I think my new liner is helping, a least a little bit. We’ll see how it goes tonight now that I’m higher in elevation.
Today was something else. San Jacinto is sort of kicking our butts. The terrain was steep, the blowdowns (trees down) are gnarly and the weather turned rapidly the higher we climbed.
Snax and I somehow managed to take a wrong turn off trail, climbed down a steep slope, where I commented, “how could a horse do this?!” Remembering that the PCT is also an equine trail, before realizing that perhaps we weren’t on trail anymore. It didn’t fully kick in until we met Failure to Launch and The Burglar on the correct trail as we walked the wrong way. Thank goodness for FarOut maps. We probably should have used them before then. That’s how easy it can be to get off trail, even if you think you’re paying attention.
The blowdowns are all over in here. Dead trees from a forest fire everywhere. It made for slow miles. Under, over, around. Packs off, packs on. Branches were hanging and swinging above trail waiting to fall and create new hazards. Burned trees that are still standing don’t look like they will be for long.
We were climbing past Fobes Ranch Junction when the wind picked up. It almost took my breath away on the climb up. I had to stop to protect my hat which I decided was easier to carry than wear. It was intense. Our goal was to make it to camp just before Spitler Junction, only 1.3 miles ahead, but Failure to Launch decided to turn back at mile 167.5 due to fog rolling in, what appeared to be storm clouds moving quickly over the San Jacinto peaks, and high winds. She found a meadow area a bit further down trail that we had passed that she wanted to camp at. I didn’t think that was a good option, especially for The Burglar and me who have Durston trekking pole tents as there were no heavy rocks to use to hold down the tent (I’m learning from my tent failure in high winds from the other night). I decided to scout a little further up trail to see if there was a place more suitable for camping. However, the three of them left me there without waiting and I was a bit disappointed with that. Snax wrote me saying what I was doing was dangerous yet I literally was trying to find us all a spot out of the wind. I messaged back without response and Garmined all 3 of them to find out their new location as I hiked down to try to find them without success but did not hear from any of them. I decided to try my hand going down Fobes Ranch Trail since the last text from Snax said they were headed there. However, 0.8 miles down the trail proved pointless. Failure to Launch eventually Garmined saying they were past the log book at Fobes Junction on the PCT trail and to follow the arrows to them, so I made my way 0.8 miles back up to find them. It didn’t feel good to be deserted like that but I guess they didn’t hear me want to scout a bit first. I had a bit of a cry to Malcolm on the phone, missing home and my animals; thank goodness for cell reception.
The Buglar was kind enough to help me set my tent up which is incredibly difficult in high winds. He also gave me 1L of water knowing I was completely out of water. I was grateful. Failure to Launch helped find large rocks. So appreciative for help in high winds! We're relying on snow melt now as there are no water sources in miles. Except there’s not a lot of snow cover either which is surprising above 6000 feet. So water is at a premium.
I'm exhausted but can’t sleep. At least I’m warm inside my tent but it’s an intense wind storm out there. I have Hot Hands (the little hand warmers you can stick in gloves) and do they ever work! Tucked inside of my new sleeping bag liner, I have my rain wrap draped over my legs which helps a ton and I have Hot Hands. It’s almost too warm! What a problem to have! Tomorrow is a new day.
