Journey Day 5 | PCT Day 5

Inexperienced in Southern California

4/21/85

(Entry written 4/22/85)

Missed making journal entry yesterday. It was the low point of the trip and a true test of our will to survive.

After the day before’s rain-wind display, we began wet. Bad weather bid us good morning at camp near the paved road and followed us all day as we walked: first through forests, but soon onto ridges and crests of the Laguna Mountains.All day, winds, blowing rain and fog hounded us. 

Hiked along narrow ledges, fear abated somewhat as there was no visibility of what lay below. We were soon wet and cold, and our jeans became nothing but weight and wet.

With wet gear, the packs felt like 60 to 70 pounds. But the terrible weather left us no choice but to push on 13-plus miles. We stopped in a ravine nearing the descent into Chariot Canyon. 

Sopping wet, nearing exhaustion, cold to numbness, we raised a tent, fired up a stove for a warm meal sacrificed the day before. Ate hungrily, then off to sleep as wet began to penetrate our tent. Thanks to my sleeping bag’s synthetic fill’s properties, I stayed warm enough, but Keith was wet and cold in his down bag.