Magic Couch

Thursday, May 8
Mile 360, 6 miles southeast of Big Bear City

Quote of the day, from Itis (Liam), as written in a trail register: "why did I stop for lunch a quarter mile back? I had itis in the dirt instead of on this couch."

Another gorgeous day, though it dawned VERY chilly. I performed almost all of my morning packing ritual from inside my sleeping bag, which, it turns out, is a great way to never leave camp. We got rolling late, around 8, for a 12-mile morning climb to Onyx Point, the next water source. Most of the trail was forested, and the parts that weren't leant stunning views of the surrounding peaks, including Mt Baden-Powell, which I believe the PCT summits pretty soon.. So cool!

After a few of us stopped for lunch at the onyx point water cache, we only made it a half-mile or so before stumbling upon THIS glorious sight:

I'm sorry, WHAT?! A couch in the woods, a bin stuffed with fruit, cookies, fig newtons, canned soup, wet wipes, and sodas. Trail magic at its finest, left by Big Bear Hostel, presumably to persuade us grimy hikers to rest our sore bodies at their establishment. Smart business strategy!

Parkin it tonight six miles from town, so we'll hitch in around 9 for a huge breakfast. So stoked! My metabolism has really kicked in this stretch, maybe from all the climbing. But man, am I ravenous! Constantly! I may have challenged Wizard Stick and Wreckin to an eating contest. Which I may actually win.