Total Trail Miles: 41.5

Ascent/Descent: 3623/897 ft

Start Time: 8:04

End Time: 15:30

Temperature: 31 (88)

It was another chilly night, this time dipping below 0 as we woke up to frozen tents, the condensation on the tents and poles had turned to ice. I woke at 5 ish but didn't start moving until 6:30 - Eavan had already left by then! The gloves went on to pack up and we all hung out our tents and quilts to dry as the sun started to rise. I wanted my things to dry off so i didn't set off until just after 8. We wanted to make it to Mount Laguna canpsite at mile 41.5 as there is a no camping zone in the area. Today was a lot of up, up, up. It was very hot too making it harder, I yo-yo'd again with Andrew and past a few other hikers too. I met the area park ranger who checked my permit and told me about the area and what to expect (our long water carry is from scissors crossing - but 3 litres should do it thanks to it being such a wet year), he said it was the west he had ever seen the desert and that he hasn't seen it so green. I had lunch by a river so i could cook off my feet before the final ascent up to mount Laguna. My back was aching a fair bit and during the last 2 miles my shin started to hurt. I arrived at camp about half three and joined a site with other pct hikers including Eavon. Andrw and Christina later joined too. Got chatting to two other American friend hikers Conor and Sasquatch (Sassy) the later who has attempted SOBO in 2021 only to be blocked by wildfires. I had to walk to the lodge to pick up my first resupply - I have way too much food now 😅 lots of the others went to get burgers for dinner but I stayed to eat another camping meal too reduce some of my weight. I got chatting to another group of hikers including a Dutch Sophie and another Brit. By 8pm i was ready to turn in for the night