Miles: 24.8 

Total Trail Miles: 1293.8 

Ascent/Descent: 4538/6469 ft 

Start Time: 09:33 

End Time: 19:45 

Temperature: 29°C (84°F)

Pounder took us for breakfast at Morning Thunder and then dropped us at the post office for the 8:15 just before it opened so we could prep our packages. Last night when Pounder, DB and Hot Pants went out for dinner and I got my early night they picked up another hiker, Junior, so he also joined us for breakfast and the PO but then headed on to resupply before heading out to trail. I decided to lighten my load and send my spikes, leggings, fleece, gloves and sleep socks back to NY. Then it was hitch time back out to trail. I started hiking at 9:30, and started the climb. The climb was through the trees and I could smell the warm earth and pine smell right away, the smell that is starting to symoblise my new home. It wasnt a big climb and then it was a but if a ridge walk with lovely views over the area and silver lake. I had lunch up the top 9 miles in, DB and hot pants caught up and ate too. Then it was a steep descent to Belden, which annoyingly triggered shin pain in my left shin for the first time in months. I got down to Belden trying to avoid the poison oak at 4 which was perfect timing - just as the shop/bar opened! I got a cold drink and ice lolly. I ate my dinner and wrote my journal with the plan of hikjng on another 6 miles up the hill to reduce the acsent in the morning. I made it! Left Belden at 5:45 and arrived at the campsite at 7:45. iMac, ET and another sleeping guy in a tent were already there as they had left Belden in the early afternoon. I set up my tent quickly, the others arrived (DB, Hit Pants, Izzy and Trip Hazard about half an hour later). Now bed time!