Today was my first day to not see a single other person. I tried to get up very early today, I set my alarm for 4:30, but it was very cold so I waited until 5:30 to finally succumb to the chill. My shoes were frozen when I went to put them on, the laces all sticking out as if they had been electrocuted. I forced them onto my feet, and without changing out of my warm sleep clothes, I started hiking. After an hour I was warm enough to put on my normal clothes. It's not good to dirty up one's sleep clothes, but I'm hoping to do some laundry tomorrow, so I forgave myself. I even kept my warm woolen socks on because it was hard to walk in my damp socks and frozen shoes. This morning was tough. Lot's of snow. When it snows the trail disappears. However, usually by the time one gets to snow it has been there for a while and an obvious path of footprints has been traversed through it. I think only two people had been through this snow before me, and I don't think they hiked together. Or if they were thy argued a lot. Often times the foot prints went in different directions and it was impossible to tell if they met back up. But one can't rely on footprints, especially when there isn't snow everywhere, and when it is only a set or two. If you are just following footprints, and the snow ends, more than likely you are not right on the trail because you haven't been able to follow it precisely through the snow. One has to be diligent about keeping out her map and compass, and making sure she is doing her own navigating. It was a little scary. I felt pretty lost a couple of times. The snow was deep and fresh, and even out of the snow the path was difficult to discern. I've been hiking mostly in the desert with lots of people in front of me leaving obvious footprints pounded into the dust. A thick blanket of pine needles, and dark crumbly dirt is much harder to make a dent in. You have to really use your eyes to look for clues as to where the path is. I spent a slow morning scrutinizing my map for direction, as well as the ground for faint traces of holes left from trekking poles or a dent from the heel of a boot. When I thought I was out of the snow I combined my elevensies break with my lunch break for one long rest where I took out my sleeping bag to dry and thawed my shoes and socks. It turned out I wasn't out of the snow, and spent another two miles slipping down a steep, icy bank. You shouldn't walk too close to trees and rocks coming out of the snow. It's tempting, because you think the snow won't be as deep there, but it is thinner, and you are much more likely to fall through and scrape your all ready raw legs on jutty-out-y bits of branch or rock. After the official last of the snow I began the steep decent off the mountain and towards Cabazon. My body needs a rest. It's been strange having my left leg be the one to give me so much trouble when I've spent all year dealing with my right. I still have to wrap my left knee every day, and it looks like I cut a big, juicy apple in half and stuck a piece down either side of my left sock. It is unsightly, and I do not plan on busting out those high heels again soon. I managed to find a flat grassy campsite even though I've been switchbacking down a steep rocky canyon for hours. There is a breeze, but I will be much warmer and drier than I have been, and I am happy to be sleeping out in the open again tonight. I've got a bright moon overhead so I'm going to turn out my flashlight to enjoy that for a while.
-Georgia
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