[pct-l] SoCal weather!

[Diane Soini of Santa Barbara Hikes]

I just returned from 5 days in Section C.

Day 1 (Sat) Weather was great! Hiked from Highway 18 to Van Deusen  
Rd. Saw many hikers and the llama lady working the trail.

Day 2 (Sun) Woke to drizzle which turned to snow and then to rain as  
I descended. Those fords of Holcomb creek were a lot better when it  
was 85 and sunny. Made it to Deep Creek bridge. Sun was out and the  
night was cold. Woke to frozen sandals (hiked wearing Chacos.)

Day 3 (Mon) Sunny with clouds all day. The first part of the detour  
route was a lot nicer than the actual PCT in my opinion. Made the  
side trip to the Hot Springs on that sketchy trail. The hot springs  
were a real treat after being so cold and wet yesterday. Made it past  
the end of the detour. The 2nd half of the detour was not that nice.

Day 4 (Tue) My journal reads "Worst Backpacking Trip Ever!" It was  
really windy at night. My tent blew over so I slept on top. Then my  
bed flew away when I went to pee. Then I awoke to rain under a  
cloudless sky. I tried to sleep inside my tent without it being set  
up. I did not sleep most of the night. Walked all day in the sun  
while it was raining. Followed a full rainbow for several hours. Was  
wet and cold. Stopped raining by the afternoon but the wind blew so  
hard I was almost knocked over. Hiked out to I15 since I didn't trust  
my shelter in the wind. Lots of hikers at McD's and the Best Western.  
One guy slept under the freeway in the tunnel. Smart! Also, the other  
side of the tunnel was surprisingly windless. Note to self: avoid the  
hotel and sleep on the other side of the tunnel next time!

Day 5 (Wed) Weather still cloudy, windy and drizzly but seemed less  
severe than the last couple days. Lots of poodle dog bush in the  
Sheep Fire burn area. Walked the last 5 miles to my car feeling that  
PCT sense of satisfaction for hiking every mile under severe  
conditions and surviving by the strength of my feet and will. All the  
unhappy feelings of the past days melted away and I was left with  
only happiness and pride. Another great backpacking trip.

On May 17, 2011, at 10:00 AM, pct-l-request at backcountry.net wrote:

> Noticing that the weather is getting nasty out there!
>
> How are the thru hikers doing? Tents holding up? People staying  
> warm and dry??
>
> What kind of weather is everyone experiencing, rain, snow?