Last night, I slept indoors. Maybe a bit too warm, and the bed was a tad short, but considering the snow that fell overnight, it was pure luxury!
We had to check out by 11 AM, which meant a hasty pack-up. Then, it was time for breakfast, something I’d been looking forward to.
After breakfast, we headed back to the house. I managed to snag some time for a call home. A long chat with the kids was great, even if they’re still the same little terrors. 😊
Mulling Over the Plan
Waiting in the lobby gave us time to think about what’s next. The snow is piling up, making the trail ahead tricky. One group decided to hang out in Idyllwild for two more days, while another suggested a hitchhike and returning to the trail later.
Personally, I’ve got zero experience hiking in deep snow, and the thought of wet, frozen feet in sneakers and shorts isn’t exactly appealing. We’re already at 1,667 meters, higher than Sněžka, and this isn’t the time for heroics.
Reuniting with Trail Buddies
Meanwhile, more trail buddies rolled in – Kayla, Brian, Lindsay, Melody, and Nicolas. Melody and Nicolas brought me my footprint for the new tent from Paradise Valley Café, which was a nice surprise.
It looks like we’ll be splitting up:
- Continuing on the trail: Liam, Carine, and Chris.
- Hitching a ride and returning to the trail later: Charlie, Rock, Lindsey, Melody, Nicolas, and me.
- Still on the fence: Brian and Kayla.
Shopping and Saying Goodbye
We’re planning a stop at Walmart on the way to grab food at better prices. I might even mail myself a few resupply boxes, which wasn’t in the original plan, but it’s true that food on the trail gets expensive.
Today, I also sold my old tent. It’s a strange feeling. Even though I complained about it sometimes, it was my first tent, and that holds a certain charm. Saying goodbye hit me a little, but life moves on.
The Mayor and Other Hikers
In the evening, we went to see the Mayor (a dog!) and bumped into other hikers we know from the trail. These unplanned reunions are always a good time.
Daily Summary
- Miles on trail today: 0 (again).
- Total PCT miles: 2,484 to go.
- Highlight of the day: Family call, saying goodbye to the tent, and meeting up with friends.
Tomorrow will tell how things unfold. But my mind’s made up – I’m not heading into snow without the right gear. Health and safety come first.
