Journey Day 15 | PCT Day 15

Wild clouds, hazy valley, California

5/1/85

Struck out early from our good spot near Saddle Junction. No tent since Anza. Slept under the stars last night after two nights with a tarp. Again snow-covered trails slowed our progress as did climbs and persistent dragging feeling, possibly altitude sickness. 

We stumbled into a meadow unsure where we were, having lost the trail again. I rested, while Keith looked for the trail. Finally we decided to hike down to where we thought Deer Spring Campground and water would be, but no luck. We climbed back up and decided to quit for the day. Boots and spirits were dampened.

Ate a large meal, then decided to look again for the trail to ease morning stress. Hiking from our gear we quickly found it, but curiosity caused us to hike down a ways, until dark started to settle in. No flashlights, matches or enough clothes. We stumbled around, off and through rocks, thorn bushes and treacherous snow banks. Once I tumbled into a thorny bush. Began to panic. We were wet and cold and hopelessly lost.

Keith and I finally gave up and made an uneasy camp beneath a rock. Freezing, we huddled close and rode the night out. I put my sweater over my legs, extending warmth and coverage beyond my shorts, and my wool gloves over my wet feet. Battened down all the hatches and dreamed of sleeping bags. Some PCT hikers!