Date: 2012-10-01
From: Bromley Shelter 

To: Stratton Pond Shelter 
Miles today: 12.7
Weather: light rain

(In which my gear gets molested by a chipmunk and I resupply in Manchester) -Currently sitting at the picnic table in the shelter-This morning was cold and rainy and since I was planning a short day anyway, I decided to lie in my sleeping bag until an incredibly late 7:30 am. When I finally worked up the motivation to get out of my sleeping bag I found my food bag in shambles. There were about a half dozen holes chewed into the bag with some the size of my fist. It's the mark of a chipmunk - mice chew one hole, get into the bag and rummage around. The rest of my gear faired a little better, but there were holes in everything. Everything! I really think this little punk was in it just to perforate everything I own. My bandanna has a fist size hole in it, the bottom of my pack has a hole in it, my fuel alcohol bag has a hole in it, one of my dry bags has a hole in it, and the mouth piece of my Camelbak is chewed just shy of failure. It's a grizzly sight. Mind you, all of these things were hanging from the inverted-tuna-can-on-a-string contraption.Here's where things got interesting. As I was surveying the carnage, this little rodent basta... I'll keep it civil, this little bugger, walks right up to my feet with absolutely no fear. Next to him is a flat rock that's about 5 lbs. I picked up the rock and he didn't move. I suspended the rock above his head about 5 feet off the deck... my eyes got wide with excitement, a smile slowing grew on my face, and just as I was about to let the rock slip out of my hands... I couldn't do it. I wanted to - and I almost regret the restraint, but this is his world and I suppose I'm just not smart enough to figure out a way to keep my food and gear away from him (sorry for the non gender neutral terms - substitute her for him if you like). I hate the little buggers, but that's life on the AT I suppose. I should have taken a picture of what's left of the food bag, but I already sent it home from Manchester with the note: "Bears are NOT the concern out here!"I gathered my holely things and trudged with squishy feet down to Manchester. I sucessfully hitched for the first time - with impressive success. It only took 4 cars and a pickup stopped. A friendly fella named Kevin dropped me off at the Price Chopper in town and after resupplying I dropped by the EMS to get a new food bag. I needed a bigger one anyway. After a food and post office stop I walked out of town and attemped another hitch. No luck. I started walking the 5 miles to the trail head, but after about 2 of them a small Subaru with various gear bumper stickers on the back pulled over and the driver asked if I wanted a ride to the trailhead. Wohoo! The driver's name was Silvia and she was planning on hiking north from another road crossing later in the day. It turns out that she hiked north to the same shelter that I hiked south to today. Two section hikers, Silvia and I have been chatting about different trails and cursing small rodents all afternoon. This trail can be a real suprise sometimes. You never know who you'll bump into again down the line.Today's post was brought to you by restraint, because capital punishment for chewing on things just isn't a good policy.