PCT: Day 4

April 25th, 2016

Miles Hiked: 17.5

Total Miles: 59

Start Location: Burnt Rancheria Campground

End Location: Outhouse near Sunrise Trail

 End Location GPS: 32.97753, -116.52418

The word of the day was WIND. All day long. Non stop. There was a severe weather warning for the area for high winds exceeding 35 MPH with 50 MPH gusts and localized as high as 70 MPH. The forecast did not disappoint. 

The wind was ferocious out of the west, blasting our faces with a cold stinging sensation most of the day. We were up high for the day cresting ridges with wide views of the desert valley far far below. The wind was so strong in some places it threw you off balance and you had to fight to stand straight and move forward.

The thought that lingered in my mind throughout the day was how the hell am I going to pitch my tent in these winds. After hiking about 14 miles to a boulder field with possible camping, it became clear there was no way pitching a tent was going to be possible. We hiked on to the next water source and possible camping at the SunriseTrail  juncture. 

We tried finding a spot to set up the tent but the winds were so strong it nearly ripped it in half. Then an idea came. There was a roadside outhouse we passed by earlier, so we walked back to it to go inside and get out of the wind for a minute and think about what to do. It was so spacious that we now we find ourselves camped out in the outhouse. The toilet is nearly 3 ft away from me as I type this entry! 

The winds are howling and it has been sleeting off and on. I am eternally grateful for the outhouse. It is actually quite clean and devoid of any smells, which is a plus. Hopefully going to hike 17 more miles tomorrow and go into the town of Julian and stay there for the night to get a hot meal, shower and warm bed. Oh the joys of thru-hiking!