Date: 2007-11-25
From: BlackBerry Lodge, Elijay, Georgia

To: Somewhere in Pennsyl-tuckey
Miles today: 0.0

Saw my little nephew, "ACE". It was good to see him. It had almost been a year. He was upset when I left because he wanted me to go live in his treehouse. I will post some pictures of him.                     FAQ #61)did you or do you see any bears? This thru hike in 2007: I only saw a couple of bears, nothing to really mention. Both took off when they saw me. I have had some close wild bear encounters over the years. My most memorable is my first. You always remember your first. In april 1990; on my 1st thru hike; in the Smokey Mountains; with "Daydreamer"; on "The Knife's Edge"; I had my 1st hiking experience with a bear. It was a 2-3 year old male bear. He was by himself, just sitting in the middle of the trail. Now, The Knife's Edge is only 10 feet wide in some areas. There was no way around this bear to keep going north without some rock climbing on either side. Daydreamer got right up in the bear's face and clapped his hands, repeatedly. The bear acted like he did not even see us; so, we did eventually climb around the bear. I remember when we got around it and were heading away from it; I wanted to run; so, the bear would not stalk me. November 2004 on the Freeman Trail near Blood Mtn, GA. This trail is a blue blaze that goes around the southern side of Blood Mtn from near THE Woods Hole Shelter and around to 1.1 miles north of Neel's Gap. On the north side of Blood Mtn in this area are a few alcoves. I had a package to pick up at The Walisi-Yi; so, I camped up here. In the night, I was awakened by a falling tree; then I heard another fall; then another one that was closer. These trees kept falling here and there over 30 minutes. Then I heard a big thump on the roof of the alcove. Whatever that was pushing down these trees was right above me. It then jumped again, right in front of me. I was ready and shined my light in a flashing manner at the animal and barked like a dog to scare it. Bears are hunted in this area and are afraid of dogs. The bear looked at me astonished for a couple of seconds and then took off down the trail. That was the most dangerous bear encounter that I have ever had. If you camp away from shelters and hike next to The AT in the south. You will probably hear a bear pushing down trees at somepoint; a buck snorting; hogs grunting; moose traversing; cats squealing; etc. The smell of humans is not pervasive and the animals like the corridor of the trail. This was the most dangerous encounter; but, not the closest. Hiking along The Lakeshore Trail in The Smokey Mountains will almost guarantee a bear sighting. One evening at dusk(June 2005); I was coming around the corner and had, nearly, a head to head meeting with a young male. He was rooting around in a whole and when we saw each other; he turned tail and ran. I mean fast, at a full sprint. Do not think that you will ever out run one; not up a tree or anything. I also marvelled how black the bear was. It was nearly purple in color. I was hiking down The lakeshore around the same date in the middle of the day; when I heard a large growl. I went from fighting the bugs to a sudden turn in the direction of the growl and there was a sow with two cubs that were running off. She was just letting me know to stay away. Along this trail in the summer; before the berries come out, you can see 10 bears a day. Black Bears in Appalachia will normally turn and run when they see a human. Some bears have not read the book and actually do not respond to just the sight of a human. Sometimes they do not respond to yelling or barking or hand clapping. I then throw rocks at them until they leave(August 2005, No Business Knob Shelter, TN). I have not ever had one not leave from the rock throwing. I have had a few people, GSMNP Rangers and old mountain folk, say that they actually had to make yokes to keep the most aggressive/curious black bears "at bay". Near Etowah, Tn(about 30 miles from Fontana Village, NC) a mother and her two toddler age children were attacked by a black bear. It killed a 6 year old girl. This is extrememly unusual and so was an attack in 2000 in GSMNP when a women took pictures of a sow and her cubs. She took the pictures right up to the point that the bear attacked her. If a bear takes interest in you; you've got a little problem. He is associating you with food; either, your backpack contents; or you. Fight for your like! Some carry "BearSpray"; but, I dont know.