Apache peak to campground - 21.3 miles

Total: 190.5 miles

What an emotional up and down day. Last night I decided I was going to cowboy camp (no tent, under the stars) as it was way too windy but then wind died down so I pitched my tent. I added the rain fly after 15 minutes or so because Caleb’s tent broke and I got paranoid. I go to sleep and 2 hours later I wake up to it being windy AGAIN. I take my poles and re-enforce them on the inside of the tent to hopefully add more structure which it did until the wind changed directions hitting the side of my tent. I go to fix it outside and realize all my stone that I had added to the already stacked tent had been rolled off because the wind was going so hard. I fix it and immediately it fails once again. Now I have the tent collapsing in on me while I’m fighting for my fucking life inside the the tent praying the poles dont snap. After the 30th blast, I decide cowboy camping it is so I get out of the tent to remove the poles and then I set up just on top of the pole-less tent with my pad and sleeping quilt with the faintly wrapped around me secured by the rocks that previously didn’t work. And to be honest that was the best damn idea I’ve ever had as the stars were amazing, the wind wasn’t bothering me, and I slept soundly which I easily wouldn’t have if my tent was still up. I got a total of 6 hours compared to the others with tents who got 2. I woke up as the sky began to change and it was my quickest pack up of all time (20 minutes which usually takes me 40). I get on trail as I have to push big miles to make it to Cabazon for the package. I start slowly and quickly mark catches me and we basically hike the long fucking up hill (still gorgeous) . We were walking the starting spine up to San Jacinto which again is the first major peak of the PCT. Everyone says that it’s usually the worst day on trail. Which at first I didn’t get. We were making slow pace so we got to the first water around 10ish 8 miles in which was slow to our 3 mph we were used to doing. The water was ice cold and so good. Ate a whole cheese block with some peanut m&ms and squeezed some peanut butter in my mouth to get me some calories. Caleb and Scotty caught up to us and we hiked up the one of many mountains we had today. Scotty decided to hike to the peak which is an off shoot of the trail but I was too lazy and so was everyone else. We got to booking it to our next water source which was great but we kept getting off trail bc of the snow which FarOut (the map) told us we didn’t need spikes which I agreed at that point. We had lunch at the spot in high spirits despite all the climbing and then we had 8 miles left in the day. We were planning on dry camping so the next water source was 4 and then 4 miles to the campground. Again high spirits but hurting still. Water source was great and then this is where everything went downhill. I chose to only listen to music on the bad days or when I was having a tough time. After the water source I filled up on 4 liters which practically broke my back so it was slow moving. Decided to put music in which was another bad idea because all my music reminds me of hunter so then I got sad. Plus we still had one more uphill and I wanted to die or quit in that moment. After the uphill, and a little bit of tears shed, I was excited for the downhill even if it meant my knees were practically breaking from the weight on my back. Once I got a lil bit down I reach a stretch of trees which was just snow which is terrifying on a steep slope with slushy snow where the footsteps are hard to follow and get a good grip on. In 2020 a pct Hiker passed away bc he didn’t wear spikes on this mountain and fell bc of it. That’s all that’s going through my mind as I try to navigate this strep, snowy area for at least a mile going 1 mph. Mom would kill me if she was there. It felt never ending especially since I was trying to concentrate while trying not to look down as “summer” by Calvin Harris played in my fucking head. Truly terrifying. All the reports said no spoke were needed, and while I was still able to do it, I was terrified trying to make sure I had three points of contact at all times which not trying to slip. After a mile of that stupid shit, I got to dry land which I was so thankful for but it was 5:45pm and I wanted to get to camp and eat so I sped to camp where mark was hanging out and I bitched and complained. Caleb then showed up stating he had fell 3 times and practically almost died. Scotty hadn’t showed up as he tried the summit which had more snow than what we felt with and he had no spikes. He didn’t show up to camp until 7ish which was hella late so I texted him on garmin to make sure he was okay but then he showed up 10 minutes later thankfully. Overall, fuck San Jacinto. I know it’s mostly my fault because I made this plan to push but that was only for me. Thankfully people followed or I don’t know if I would be able to get through this god forsaken day. Good thing tho is I got tons of pictures of amazing views. The wind is still going but we are protected at this camp so I won’t have to cowboy camp. I also tried the goo, Nathan gave me which was disgusting and felt like it did nothing. We ascended 5000+ feet today and matching that in descent I believe. Tomorrow is 5000+ more of descent which I am so not looking forward to. It is also supposed to be so cold tonight so that’s another plus. Despite all my complaining, I am still having fun just today was a whirl wind of emotions from excited, awe, missing everyone, and fucking hating whoever came up with this trail.