October 17

Today was another beautiful day in the high desert. The temperature is such that it doesn't get too hot during the day and is still comfortable at night. Louis and I hiked 3 miles to a spring, tanked up on water and started our waterless hike. We were going to be next to a highway for lunch and thought we would have good cell service and make phone calls, but unfortunately did not have reception and weren't able to find out information about the sobos behind us. We just started our afternoon hike, when we met up with Tom "Special Ops" Roy, the southbound kiwi from southern New Zealand. The three of us have hiked and camped together today, and the mix of accents and culture is interesting. Our group of three will hike together to Mojave to resupply, where it sounds like Tom will go in early and Louis and I will stay the night on trail where it's free then hitch in and meet up with Tom in the morning. Tom had a crazy experience climb Mt. Whitney in the snowstorm and it was fun hearing his side of that adventure.