When I ventured back into the Mcdonads quite a few more hikers had snuck out of the canyon and back into civilization. I didn't really recognize any of them, but Zana and Eric and Robert were still there so I sat back down with them. A couple of hikers who I had met briefly - Thor and Penny - came in sans backpacks and it turned out they had a room at the Best Western just across the highway. I'm still trying to slow down a little so I arranged to find a spot on the floor in Penny and Thor's room and spend the rest of the day watching TV and hanging by the pool. We walked over to the hotel together, and I took a shower and put in a load of laundry.
A clan of hikers got a room next to ours, so we all got to know each other leaning against the railing in the sun outside our rooms. Cosmo, Creep, Camshaft, and Paws. All nice guys, not all originally hiking together. Creep and Cosmo have known each other since high school and came out here together. I think they are originally from a small town in Illinois. Camshaft is from somewhere in Oregon, possible a town sorta close to Eugene, and Paws is from Portland and lives just off Burnside! They call themselves the Wolfpack, but they are actually pretty cool and not bro-y at all. I got a good nights sleep on Thor's blow up sleep pad, and was pretty refreshed when I woke up at around 5. I took advantage of some fresh fruit at the continental breakfast, and while I was drinking apple juice the Wolfpack made their way downstairs, and the 5 of us set off to the trail together.
I feel like I keep commenting on how hot it has been, but it is fairly oppressive. There was an unexpected water cache pretty early in the day so that was a nice break early in the day. Anyway, it was very hot, and very steep, but the next water was 22 miles and it was too hot to be trying to scrimp on water so we had to make it to the water. It was fun to hike in a little group for the day. We all took a long break in the worst heat of the day, and played cards and laughed a lot. The next 7 miles were not too steep, and the high elevation was finally cooling things off. It was a beautiful campsite to come to at the end of the day. There is a pretty strong camaraderie in this group, but they let me hang out really nicely. I was nervous that it was going to be a ridiculously cold night, but I was super cozy bunched up between some trees. It was about 10 miles to the highway leading into Wrightword, and the Wolfpack had a ride taking them to a house to take a zero at. I've been happy with these guys, and that sounded like a good time after a 20+ mile day. We made it to the highway by noon, and their friend Shannon drove up to take us off trail. Paws decided to keep going , so it was just the 4 of us piling into her little Subaru. She has done a lot of the PCT with them, but had to get off to finish stuff at her job. Shannon is house sitting for someone so we are hanging out here tonight, and showering, drinking beer, and eating tons of fruit. I am glad for an awesome place to slow down a little.
-Georgia-
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