Day 3San Diego County, California

I pass through Mount Laguna early, a small mountain village slightly off the PCT. The store is not open yet, but I discover my 1st hiker box: a box where hikers leave gear or food they no longer need. I mainly use the stop to wash quickly before heading out again.

I am starting to find my bearings: food, hiking pace, converting miles to kilometers and organizing future resupplies. I eat little during the day, mostly bars, nuts and dried fruit, followed by a larger meal in the evening. I would like to reach around mile 70 to prepare for what comes next.

At the end of the day, I pass on a 1st campsite because it is still early. The next one looks occupied, then so does the one after that. Tired, I have to continue for another 2 miles without knowing whether I will find a spot. I eventually reach a camp with several open sites. It is a simple 1st lesson: on trail, trying to optimize a few kilometers can quickly turn an easy end to the day into a forced march.