Date: 2008-04-24
From: Roaring Fork

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: few clouds

Last night: The BearAfter hanging my food bag at about 12¢ in a tree, about 20¢ from my tent, I retired to my tent about 9:00 and went to sleep. About 3:00 am I heard heavy footsteps outside and, soon after, the sound of heavy sniffing at my tent. I suspected a bear, but assumed it would smell nothing and move on. The snapping and cracking of brush continued until I heard the clang of a metal object. I knew that was my cook pot and that the bear had gotten to my food bag. I turned on my head lamp and unzipped my tent door. I saw a rather large bear standing under the tree where I hung my food bag. I yelled at the bear, who stopped, looked at me, and stood his ground. I yelled again and again and the bear backed away. I had to keep yelling until the bear reluctantly left. I waited with my light on, and in about five minutes, the bear returned. I yelled again, the bear backed off. I knew the bear was going to keep coming back until he had eaten everything he wanted. So I gathered the food spread out on the ground and took the pile across the creek and stacked against a tree. I went back to my tent, confident that the bear was not after me, but my food. After awhile, I heard noises again, and, sure enough, there was the bear examining the food pile across the creek. I attempted to take photos of the bear, but I¢m not sure they turned out well. I went back to my tent and, after awhile, fell asleep. In the morning, I surveyed the damage. The bear took my power bar, M&Ms, Skittles, and left me the oatmeal and trail meals. But I was missing the bag that had my cooking equipment (stove, pot, etc.). I saw the paw prints of the bear climbing a steep embankment. I followed his trail, and eventually found the bag. That was a relief, because the cooking equipment is expensive. I was left with breakfast but no lunch for the long trip to Hot Springs.After getting little sleep last night, I set off for Hot Springs this morning faced with a climb up Walnut Mountain and Bluff Mountain. I walked the first part with Duncan, whose food bag was stolen also. He camped just a little up the trail from me. Unfortunately, the bear took his entire bag, leaving him no food or cook pot for the walk into Hot Springs. I offered the trail meals I had left, but he declined. When we got to Walnut Mountain shelter, the register there told more stories of bear harassment. So the bear¢s range is at least five miles. He is getting fat on stolen food, maybe the reason he left me something. Having no lunch, I proceeded up the trail, getting tired and hot as I walked. Then, to my enormous surprise, at Garenflo Gap, there was trail magic ¢ a big plastic container with Gator Aid, Power Bars, and candy. This was a life saver for me, but especially for Duncan, who had had nothing all day. The walk into Hot Springs was a roller coaster with a final plunge of over 1,000¢ in about a mile. The trail goes down the main street of Hot Springs, so there are not a few hiker friendly stores along the way. I got a room at a very old motel and went to dinner. While eating, in comes Aloa Man, whom I¢d met at the hostel. We had a pleasant meal together. I walked back to my room and was asleep in no time.