Total Trail Miles: 259.4

Ascent/Descent: 2706/3491 ft

Start Time: 05:11

End Time: 16:15

Temperature: 16°C (61) 

It was back to chilly nights up high which for me always mean worse sleep. We had 4:30 alarms set so we could get on the snow whilst it was hard. We packed up on the dark and cold and hot the trail with our headtorches lighting the way at 5:10. We were expecting snow at the 3 mile mark but we didn't feel the need to put out microspikes on until 4 miles in and we only needed them on for 2 relatively short stretches. We took an extended morning break at Coon Cabin after the sketchy snow bits, ate some more breakfast and booked an air bnb for Big Bear. Laura, Rimke and Loeke were joining our group of 5 for the air bnb. The rest of the day was pretty cruisey, we hit Onyx summit split at midday and just as we were stopping foot lunch a Tail Angel and former PCT hiker Pumpkin showed up with beer and snacks - e were very happy. This resulted inn us Altai taking an extended lunch break too. Tito left first and then I decided to get back on trail as I wanted too take the next 7 miles a bit slower as my shin was hurting again. The others started berthing to wait for the hot dogs and bacon to cook. IT was a beautiful section off trail in pine forests and despite my shin hurting I enjoyed the stretch and felt immensely grateful to be put here but also kind of wished I could share it with Marcus. I rocked up at camp just after Tito at 4.15 and w/e set up camp. It was a beautiful spot up on a plateau of the mountain surrounded by a scattering of low trees. Andrew rocked yo shout 45 mins later and then Eleanor did to just as we were finishing dinner. The others decided to camp 3 miles back so we would see them tomorrow.