Today I woke after a cold and windy night. I was mostly warm but on the verge of chilly. My tinnitus was okay because there was constant wind to hell. I am certain high elevation makes it worse. I said good morning to the others as they broke down their tents. Then I hit the trail at 6:20am. It was the worst I’ve felt yet. Sharp pains in my Achilles, tightness in my right arch, minor knee pains. I knew I needed a zero so bad. Thankfully the end of my day meant my first zero.

The climb was not steep at all but it was extremely long. I could see the freeway, my goal, the entire day. The switchbacks were so long and windy and took forever. The sun was so hot and my water was low. At one point a giant insect flew into the side of my face and I swatted it away and then watched my trekking pole slide down a 20ft rock face. I had to climb down and get it. After the never ending climb I was beat. There was a water spigot that had a fountain that looked like it was for drinking on it. This was at the bottom of the climb. However, the water was not drinkable without filtering and the fountain made it so difficult to fill up our water bottles. I did after some time, guzzled a liter, then carried one.

The walk was on a paved road and then down into the desert. This was the most intense wind I’ve experienced yet. I could barely walk into it. It felt like I was wading through water because the wind was so strong. I texted my cousin as I made my way through the wind and asked for a lemon lime Gatorade, a Diet Pepsi, and a sparkling water. I wanted the Gatorade for me and the other drinks were by request for Thin Mint and Boujee.

I was picked up and headed to a resort with family. I’ll finally get a couple zeros in.