16th May 2025

While I had slept well, Dan slept rough having to reinflate his mat every couple of hours due to a slow leak.

In the morning the picnic table filled rapidly with the hikers we camped with. We headed on out, the trail easy and, other than developing hives from a wasp sting, was uneventful. We started in alpine forest and descended into the familiar chaparral.

We made it to Mill Creek Fire Station where we chilled by the picnic area. Sweet Rolls had ordered pizza from the ridge where he had reception. We were now a party of 12 and we ordered three 24 inch pizzas, 16 pieces of garlic bread, 3 x 2L of Pepsi, a brownie pizza, a cookie pizza and a crate of beer. This resulted in 12 very happy hikers. While waiting for pizza, Dan and I successfully patched up the hole in his sleeping pad.

I felt tired today, not physically but mentally. By the end of the day I felt my social battery had been drained. I had to really battle my need to be alone and manage how grumpy I was being. As great as it is hiking with a group, sometimes you simply need a moment alone. I found a place to pitch away from everyone else, only to end up with four others camping next to us. I couldn’t help laughing at the situation and luckily by morning I felt a lot more tolerant of company.