Date: 2008-09-03
From: Conway N.H.

To: Eliza Brook Shelter.
Miles today: 8.8
Weather: few clouds

This morning started with me being dropped off at Franciona Notch, today I was heading south. It was a long climb up Kinsman North and Kinsman South mountains. Both were each approximately 4300 ft.Along the way I ran into "Butterfly Moon", "Fire Socks", their dog "Luna" and "Knee Knocks". A little while later I came upon "Green Tea" & "Feral". I hadn't seen them since Buena Vista VA. nearly 1000 miles ago. Again heading south has it's benefits, I am seeing people I otherwise would have not.At the top of the mountain I came upon "Thor" and "Tower". For the past 30 minutes I have been hearing and getting glimpses of F-16 fighters doing Top Gun manuevers all across the sky. I finally reached an unobstructed view then they soon peeled off out of sight.These 3 small reunions thus far were little unexpected treats that only added to the day. I walked down to the next peak and found a secluded rocky outcrop several yards off the trail. I stepped out onto the ledge, dropped my pack and sat leaning against it with my feet hanging over the cliff's edge.I just sat for awhile before eating my lunch, just taking in the view enjoying the raw beauty of this remote place and the mountains which made every mile worth the walk to get here.Sometime afterward, I arrived at the Eliza Brook Shelter. There was a section hiker named "Anthony" and a thru-hiker "Stubbs" whom I had met in previous days.They stayed in the shelter and I chose as usual to tent. At the shelter there was a large steel bear box. On top was a secured bulletin informing that regular bear activity was present here and to secure your food.I hadn't seen anything like this since Tennessee? I have always hung my food and not had a problem. I did use the box for it's convenience.I normally don't eat or keep food in my tent. I do on occassion have a Snickers bar in the night and throw the wrapper outside my tent until policing it up in the morning.Tonight was one of those nights. I later was awakened to the sound of the wrapper crinkling in the slobber of what I guessed to be a young bear. I began to reach for my headlamp that always lays to my left. At less than an arms length away, I wanted to see the bear through the mesh of my tent, as my rainfly was already peeled back for ventilation.Just at that moment, I heard additional snorting and breathing practically in my ear only a couple of inches from hy head. Mama was nosing my Nalgene which I keep just outside. The instant my light switched on while I was trying to get a look, the end of my tent momentarily came down nearly touching my head then raising back up.Afterward there was silence. Under normal conditions this experience would have at least had my adrenaline pumping all night and probably preventing any possibility of further sleep? But having been out here so long, I knew there would be nothing to worry about and was able to go right back to sleep.This was exciting and my only regret was that I was not able to get a picture of them.The next morning my suspicion was confirmed. There in the dirt by my tent were 2 sets of bear tracks. One noticibly larger than the other. I think once my light came on, Mama had turned, and as she did, she pressed against and flattened my tent. There also was no sign of my Snickers wrapper anywhere.Another memorable night on the AT. This is just too much fun.