I woke up to the sound of most of the other hostel guests downstairs already. I checked my phone and it was barely 6am. I scooted out of bed. Pancakes, I had been told, started at 6. 

After stuffing our faces with chocolate chip pancakes and watermelon, we went back to pack up. Torey had a quick email or two to send out because he has, what is apparently known as, a job. I was unfamiliar with the concept and didn’t grow to the idea of it as he explained it to me. 

Once he was done “working” we hit the road, driving first to the grocery store for some second breakfast items and then to the trailhead. We walked up saddleback mountain catching up on the last few months. He lives in London and I haven’t seen him in over a year and chatted with him in quite a bit. There was a lot to go over. 

And so we walked and chatted up that mountain and then the next two. We then descended the long way down to a brook where we had to decide – camp there at 16 miles or push another 3. The next 3 would make today a tough 19 mile day but would make tomorrow an easier walk to town. 

We didn’t spend much time debating. We just filled up our water bottles and moved on.

The climb to the next camp was tough. The first mile rising 800 feet across all sorts of terrains. But we made it through that. And the next two flat miles to reach the shelter before sundown. 

The day had been hot and humid but as we pushed those last few miles, it seemed to grow hotter and even more humid. My shirt was drenched by the time I reached camp. Just in time for the sun to set and the temperature to drop – leaving me shivering in my shirt before I changed into my puffy jacket. 

Torey had packed out an extra dehydrated meal just in case and kindly offered it to me.  He cooked one for him and one for myself over the camp stove he had also brought. It had been so long since I had hot food in camp! On a chilly night like tonight, it was great! I’m not regretting moving to cold soaking, but there are definitely some times where that warm meal would be appreciated! 

Key stats:

Miles: 19

Elevation gained: 6200

Mile marker: 1997

Pancake estimate: 234