Once again, didn't make our 25 goal haha. We did make it 13 miles to donner pass though. The hike this morning was so pretty. We climbed up to tinker knob and it was exposed ridges with such nice light and clouds. All morning, I was debating on whether to hitch into truckee or not. I was going to have nancy get eczema creme for me and put it into my Belden box but I'd have to wait a week or so. The more I thought about it, the more I was leaning into this emergency side hitch for my own well being. I could barely smile and it felt like my lips were about to tear when I try to eat. I just needed to get my creme. It would just be easier for myself and Nancy if I just did this detour even though it'd push back my Sierra city arrival out another day. I let the married folk know this was my plan and that I was ready to hitch alone again but turns out they needed to go to truckee too to get a water filter. Yay. I met the other Taiwanese couple that I had heard about from the others. He recognized me at first and we got to talk a little. I wish I could hike with them but they flip flopped from Ashland.

We booked it down to the donner pass trailhead and made it an hour or so before noon. I met a local named Juliette who was hiking with her dog and found out I was a thru hiker and immediately asked if I needed a ride into town. Of course I said yes and I hiked all the way down with her. She shared with me some of her life growing up in truckee and stories about her children who are all grown up now. She even offered me a shower at her house! But I'm only two days dirty. I was overwhelmed on how generous she was to me. My feet started hurting pretty bad going down on rocks since I barely took any breaks or changed my socks this morning. We definitely booked it. This other hiker named blink also asked her for a ride coming down. I told Juliette I had two others friends I've been hiking with if she had room and we all rode into truckee together!

Juliette was so excited to give us a tour or truckee and show us all the things we needed to find in town. She dropped the others off at the burger place and I went to Safeway. I couldn't find small sized creme so I went next door to rite aid and found what I needed. The only thing I held off on was nice organic natural unscented sunscreen but it was just too big and expensive so I held off on that. I bought so many different options just in case the others didn't work. I now I have like almost 10oz of skin stuff. Worth the weight. I also did some googling and I'm pretty sure the msg in these soup bases I've been eating is what's causing it. The rash started right between t meadows and Sonora pass and that's where I was eating the most msg. So sad.

We couldn't stay more than three hours in town so I did my errands as quickly as possible. I washed all the dirt off my face and put the creme on my lips and it felt much better. It wasn't burning. I went by the bagel place and ordered a sandwich on a sesame bagel, cream cheese, capers, tomato, ham, sprouts and dill mustard. It was so good but hard to eat bc it was stacked so high. I also packed out another regular bagel for later. I then walked over to the coffee shop to meet the others. This place was so packed! I immediately found an outlet and set my things down. I felt sooo dirty and smelly being in there bc I had literally just gotten off the trail. I ended up talking to this sweet couple named Jon and Colleen next to me and they asked if I needed a ride since they were heading to donner lake after coffee! Seriously, these truckee locals are so nice! I couldn't believe how easy it's been to hitch here. After hanging for a bit, we all got into their subbie and they took us all the way back to the trailhead! They told us about their next plan is to move to Florida is for grad school but are doing a road trip to Oregon and Washington before they go.

We finally got back on trail around two and it was so pretty. It was right by the road but you could see the lake right there. Most of the afternoon was a gradual climb. I ended up hiking a bit with blink and we found out we both grew up listening to the same bands. We reached this Peter grub hut and was so tired. There were a bunch of people inside making a fire. We didn't wanna stay there so we moved on and attempted to find another spot. We found a mediocre spot but there's tons of bugs here. I am so afraid to go out there bc they will swarm. I hope I can actually do 25 tomorrow. I really want to make this goal.