Day 9Morongo Valley, California

I finish the descent from San Jacinto after a very difficult night: strong wind, rain, little sleep and some of my gear soaked. Down below, the landscape becomes unmistakably desert again, with wind turbines, a highway and long freight trains.

Under a bridge, I meet a trail angel offering drinks and something to eat. I take the opportunity to examine my filter. The leak was indeed caused by a misplaced or missing seal rather than the filter itself. I only throw away the bag that is already punctured.