November 12

Louis and I were camped together near the Sunrise Trailhead. I left early, started down the road and bushwhacked my way to the trail. I saw Smooth's prints as soon as I reached the trail and knew that he had gotten up early with the thought of town ahead today. He managed to stay ahead of all of us, but one by one every hiker in our crew made it to the Laguna Mountain store. The employees seemed used to hikers and were accommodating to requests like heating up Hot Pockets and plugging in phones. Forrest's mom showed up and brought Olive Garden food for all six of us. This food, and what we already had eaten, set us up nicely to carb load and be asleep by 6 pm. My alarm is set for 11:13 pm to get up and be at the trail by midnight for our 42.79 mile day for the finish.