Start: 0830 - Cajon Pass (Best Western)
End: 1900 - Wright Mountain (near top, 8100ft)
Miles (today): 21 (20 PCT, 1 off)
Miles (cumulative): 382 (305.5 PCT, 69.5 alternate, 7 off)

The day had been going so well.  We were worried about a long stretch without water but the weather cooperated and it was quite cool, mostly because of the crazy wind - at times it was so strong it was blowing me around (thankfully it didn't blow me off the mountain). There were also two water caches along the trail, which were awesome to see but, as we were loaded up on water, we didn't need (we sort-of expected to find water caches but didn't want to count on them just to be safe).

There was some excitement early on when we encountered a train blocking the trail. Ruth Ann was there, waiting- she told us she and her husband, Mark, had been waiting for over 30 minutes for the train to move.  They were waiting so long that Mark decided to walk around the train (which is what he was doing when we came upon Ruth Ann). Well, Nick and I decided to go for the quicker, slightly riskier option - we went up and over the train.  I was a little nervous that the train would start to move before we jumped back down but I was more nervous that I wouldn't be able to get onto the train with the extra 45 lbs on my back.  I shouldn't have worried - my body was well up to the challenge.  We even helped Ruth Ann get past the train, too.  About 30 seconds after we all jumped down, the train started to move.  Mark showed up shortly after that. It was fun. 

The hike was great until the very end - my legs and feet did just fine with the heavy pack and with going up the entire day, which was good. I did let out a slightly hysterical, what-the-hell laugh during the last mile, though - the ascent was endless!  Every time I turned a corner I thought for sure that would be it and every time I was faced with another climb.  However, that's not what did me in.  What did me in was the cold.

The wind that kept us so cool throughout the day made the evening downright freezing.  I had been wearing my light gloves but as soon as the wind turned nasty I stopped to get out the big puffy mittens (I learned my lesson from last time when I was too stubborn to stop and get them out).  Well, I stopped too late - when I stopped moving the cold instantly turned my hands to ice (I have Ranauds, so when they get cold they lose circulation).  It took forever to get my pack off (my hands had a difficult time unbuckling the chest strap and the hip belt), I could barely get my pack open, and I really struggled to pull the gloves out even though they were placed near the top.  Once the gloves were on, it took every ounce of concentration to get my pack back on and buckled (doing anything with mittens on is a struggle; the struggle is even worse when you are wearing mittens and can't really feel your fingers). My hands hurt so much and I felt so helpless that little tears escaped - it is unbelievably frustrating to find yourself unable to do even the simplest of tasks!! I pulled myself together (barely), but when Nick caught up me my attempt to calmly inform him of my hand situation came out all wrong - to my horror (and most likely Nick's as well), I sounded defensive and pathetic instead of calm and collected.  Knowing I wouldn't be able to help Nick with the evening chores made me feel guilty and weak.  The wind was vicious, there weren't any camping sites protected from the wind, and all I could think about was getting warm.  

Nick set up the tent ( I did make myself somewhat useful by holding the poles in place) and as soon as it was up I was inside.  It took me FOREVER to get my shoes off because unhooking the gaiters from my shoelaces was nearly impossible (I would have asked Nick for help but he was busy rehydrating dinner).  I was able to blow up my air mattress but found closing the nozzle to be a huge challenge.  I didn't even bother to take off my hiking clothes and put on my sleeping clothes- I just snuggled into my sleeping bag with my puffy jacket and raincoat still on and tried to think warm, happy thoughts.

Nick was fantastic and took care of most everything.  I know he was cold, too.  He's pretty awesome. :) I definitely need to figure something out for the Sierras- perhaps stock up on hot hands or something?