Mile 500 is too much stress on some objects. My sleeping bag zipper died in the night, keeping me cold and annoyed throughout. Also, my steripen stopped working yesterday. So, today's goal was a trip to REI. Magically, another guest at the house needed a tent, so Far Out, Coyote and Salt and Pepper piled in the car with me to Northridge. My stuff was accepted for full credit, I got new stuff, and am very happy. On the ride, I got to hear stories of Salt and Pepper's pencil pushing bureaucratic job for the Quebec government. Very cool guy.

Pinecone, Windsong, Far Out, Coyote and I all took off this afternoon for the Rock Inn for burgers and beer, then hitched with a gun-toting 19 year old to the trailhead beyond the fire closure. Far Out and I walked only a mile or so to camp (his shoes were wet from washing off poison oak); the others continued up the trail. I'm sure we will see them again.