We spent all day hiding from the sun. Moving every couple of hours to stay in the shade, and sleeping whenever possible on the hot sand. I was totally exhausted from yesterday, and I badly needed rest as my feet were deeply bruised, it felt like walking on bags of rocks.

My first nap, as soon as I got to the bridge, was just sitting in a bush, half on and off the trail. Each time I moved, I gradually improved my sleeping situation, firstly moving to lie in the dirt, secondly by unrolling my tarp underneath me. Gradually I built up a layer of padding with each new nap spot. By the end of the day I was sleeping in luxury, on top of my flap eared beanie and a bag of clothes.

At the end of the day, my feet felt slightly better and we got ready to hike again. The temperature had dropped, the sun was getting low and I made myself a strong cup of coffee. The plan was to hike through the night again, 10-12 miles by sunrise.

We walked through the windfarm by moonlight. The machines drone eerily under the cold light. Shadows raced along the road whenever turbine blades spun past overhead.

This section of desert feels as though it is only supposed to be seen by moonlight. The near-full moon shines down just like the sun would, only without the heat.

We walk through the entire windfarm, and finally start climbing the hills on the other side of Mojave. We’re not out of the desert yet, but at least waking up in the open wouldn’t be so dangerous here.

Unfortunately, we don’t make it to 12 miles. By 1 am we reach a water source 6 miles out from the bridge, everyone is falling asleep in their boots. I’m too tired to put up my tent, so I find a flat spot, roll out my mat and cowboy camp for the first time.