April 7, 2007

Today, I set afoot from Mt. Laguna among a team of four. Murph, Ed, Dave, and I.  Ed is a 38 year-old ex-Marine from Washington.  Dave, 53, is an avid mountaineer having climbed both Denali and Kilimanjaro.  My pack weighed more than everyone's!  I'm carrying around 45 pounds.  Dave is a lightweight hiker and is carrying around 30 pounds.  I envy Dave.  I can't seem to lighten my load.

I enjoy being in a group.  Ed has a great sense of humor and laughs constantly.  The hike today was planned around reliable water sources so we stopped after 10 miles.  Water is critical.  Murph knows the reliable sources in this area since he lives in Warner Springs.  He's also a great guide by showing us what peaks are where.  The temperatures were cool and the trail was gentle on my body.

Before I wrote this entry, I sent my family Happy Easter wishes and a trail picture via my cell phone.  Tonight and tomorrow I will read my bible passages that I have sent to me daily.  Murph was once a pastor so I suspect Easter Sunday will be Murph's day to provide a sunrise vigil.  Ed will giggle through the entire service.  We are camping illegally in a burn area.  It's ugly but there is a horse trough with water.  Horses and hikers sharing the same water.  Yummy!