Day 33

PCT mile 609.9 to 630.8 (bird spring pass)

PCT miles 20.7

Beautiful morning for hiking, followed by lots of climbing and, of course, heat. Almost stepped on a big rattlesnake (no yelps, just a ‘hey, look’). Great camouflage - see two photos.

While reading about desert tortoises and looking down at the Mojave Desert we saw five young hikers dropped off on a connecting dirt road. We learned they had been off for the past three days fighting Norovirus. Buzz on trail is more than 100 affected. We have lost track of a few friends and hope they were not affected. Saw a helicopter landing nearby - wondered if it was a rescue.

Made it to a great water cache left today. All jugs were new and trail angels left bleach and hand sanitizer, due to outbreak of Norovirus. Sweet! Set up tent, but wind was so crazy we moved farther off the crest of mountain, but not much relief. Little sleep.