Southern California
Starting: Section A7 - Mt. Laguna
Ending:  Section A8 - Pioneer Mail Picnic Area

The day started off slow. I walked the 1/2 mile from my campsite to the Mt. Laguna store/post office. I had decided last night what gear (about 40% of my pack weight) to bounce ahead, but had to wait 5 hours for the PO to open. Killed the time by having some snacks, making some calls, & talking with Kevin & Jessica, a young thru-hiking couple from Alaska.

Hiked out in PERFECT conditions- partly cloudy 70 degrees with a cool breeze. With my lighter pack, great weather, & beautiful views, I was ecstatic. Mother nature however, had other plans. She reminded me of Her superiority by deteriorating conditions with astonishing speed.

The cool breeze turned into hurricane force sustained winds (common for this area) which Pete later told me measured 68 mph on his wind gauge. I reached Pioneer Mail picnic area in failing light, continued WIND, & now a light mist. While no camping is allowed there, I did it anyway, pitching my tent in the only sheltered area I could find: directly behind the toilets…