I hiked fuller ridge today with a crutch. I was just exhausted by the time we reached the turn off for Mt. San Jacinto. I just couldn't imagine how I would have either the strength or the energy to make an additional 5 mile, 2000 ft gain round trip all at 10,000 feet.

My hiking partners were very supportive of my insane endeavors, and I think my friend Squatch, in particular really wanted to film me summitting the peak on a crutch. He has produced several documentary films about the PCT, and I may be a tad prejudiced toward them, as I actually appear in one, but I think they really offer a top notch view at the life and insanity of the thru-hiker.

We started up the trail which was quite overgrown with catsclaw or silverthorne (I can't remember how to disinguish between the two)... an annoying plant with two inch long thorns covering most of its branches. Legs scratched and bloodied, we came to a little bench in the hillside which had several obvious campsites. We pitched camp. I was carrying 6 liters of water which is right around 12 extra pounds. I didn't really feel like I was heeding my docs advice to take it easy.

With our load significantly lightened, we headed on up the trail toward the summit. The trail was a bit steeper than the PCT and there were some significant rocky challenges along the way, but it was doable... even with a crutch. As I made my way up the peak, I could feel that old flame of summit fever desire begin to burn bright inside me... I could do this, and I really wanted to.

There was just one little obstacle standing in my way... and that was daylight. We arrived at the saddle which was still 1.5 miles and 1,000 feet below the summit, and it was 7:15 pm. Daylight had already begun to throw its last glow over the hillside. With the rocky trail below me, I made the only intelligent decision... I turned around and went back to camp. Squatch did a little on camera interview before I went.

I got quite a few sunset shots as I was heading down, but without reading glasses, (I lost 2 pair today) I have no idea if the settings are correct or if my shots are even in focus. Stopping to take alot of photos is great, but darkness was gaining on me. I came to a small seep in the trail, with clumps of grasses growing in and about it... as careful as I was moving, my ankle twisted out from under me. It was just like a slow motion scene in a horror flick... I knew I was going to
land on my bad knee and there was absolutely nothing I could do but watch it happen. I laid on the ground for a good five minutes... had myself a good old fashioned cryfest... then got up, dusted myself off and headed back to camp.

Around 10:30 pm, I heard a welcome... booo-yip coming through the darkness. Sue and Squatch had summitted in the dark and made it back to camp safely. They were both exhausted and fell into their respective tents without bothering to cook supper. It had been an 11.5 hour day for them.


A Gallery of photographs from the hike can be found here: http://www.pbase.com/splashphoto/san_jacinto