29th April 2025

The battle against condensation continues. We woke to water dripping from the ceiling this morning and once again my sleeping bag was wet. This was despite leaving the tent doors open to improve ventilation.

We were the last to leave Mike’s Place. We could hear Mike yelling at those leaving to add to the donation jar. It was a hostile demand, a far cry from the persona he took on yesterday: joking about and chatty. We obviously left a donation, we were always planning to. After all, we were well provided for: able to get water where no water would be otherwise and the pizza was a welcomed addition. But the yelling and hostility for us to leave a donation did sour the experience. 

Water is scarce in these parts. From Mike’s place the next water source was 13.7 miles away. A trail angel called Mike (another Mike!) DeBenedettis has opened his property to PCT hikers this year after hearing how dry this section of the PCT is. On arrival we were greeted with cold sodas, hot dogs and ice lollies. There’s also toilet facilities, wifi and several dogs who enjoy a good cuddle. There were campsites, but we decided to push on a little further. The difference between the two Mike’s was extreme: we enjoyed it so much here we ended up staying and chatting for 3 hours before moving on.

The last 2.5 miles was a challenge, there was a lot of up hill and our packs were heavy with water as we would be dry camping. We found a place to pitch in the crook of a switchback with a view of they valley below. We opted for an early night with plans to hike 10 before 10 tomorrow morning (covering 10 miles before 10am).