We did not get a very early start on the day, after lounging around on two zeros. We eventually got to double slide trailhead at 1:15 in the afternoon after lazily checking out and getting some coffee amongst other chores. We started climbing in a misty haze, after getting a ride from Dave the Trail Angel. The fire on the other side of mountain was extinguished by the weather system that had moved in, alongside the labors of firefighters from Cal Fire and Riverside County. We did not have to go up many of the 2.5 miles and 2000 critical feet of the Devil's slide trail for it to start raining on us. The umbrellas that I was on the fence about purchasing not 48 hours before immediately showed their value. We got back to the PCT at saddle junction, both of us feeling the soreness in our joints and feet exacerbated by the dual effects of full packs and freezing temperatures, and started northward again. It didn't take long for the snow on the ground to start melting through our shoes and drenching our feet with icewater. As we climbed past 8500 feet, hoarfrost that had melted from the trees was falling to the ground alongside the trail. Progress was slow due to the shabby conditions, and the weather showed no sign of improvement as we pressed on. We made a calculated decision to camp at the lowest elevation possible, to avoid getting caught above snow level if the storm were to continue through the night. We made camp at strawberry junction around 8100 feet, settled in for the night in our sleeping bags, and tucked into some more mashed potatoes. A fellow named gummy bear rolled through our camp around 9 PM and asked for a light. He sat down, had a smoke, and discussed how the weather had improved throughout the evening and our various strategies for getting down the mountain on the coming day. He departed, the weather cooled down, and I watched an Arrested Development episode or two from inside my sleeping bag, while Erin journaled and listened to the audio track we both know inside & out.
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