Date: 2004-06-11
From: Pinefield Hut

To: Bearfence Mountain Hut
Miles today: 20.6
Weather: overcast clouds

Day #89 Several of the other hikers and I got up early to do a 20-plus mile day. I wanted to enjoy the coolness of the morning, escape the heat of the mid-day ,and arrive at the shelter before the afternoon rains. Left Pinefield Shelter at 7:00 and was immediately greeted by a deer walking down the trail. The deer did not flinch at seeing me and continued to stroll in my direction. This animal had no fear of a human. The deer walked right passed me almost within touching distance. It was a great experience to see the deer's movements up close without the hyper sensitive flight syndrome usually associate with the presence of a predator nearby. We both continued in our direction of travel. Several good climbs were made today over Weaver, Hightop, Saddleback, and Baldface Mountains. The whole day was cloudy which made the ascents almost enjoyable. The humidity was terrible from all the rain the last three days. It drizzled off and on thoughout the morning into early afternoon. Then, around 2:30 the skies opened up into a down pour. Going over Baldface Mountain during a lull in the rain, I discovered a huge pile of fresh bear scat right on the trail. The size and amount of the scat indicated to me that this was a sizable animal. Not far from the scat were bear tracks in the trail mud and the distinct odor of an animal. I knew the bear was near. I began talking out loud "Hey Mr. Bear, I know you¢re out there. Here bear-bear," just to let the bear know I was in the area. My senses were on high alert for the tiniest movement or sound. Nothing else happened so I cautiously continued down the path. I Made the Lewis Campground in a heavy rain. Stopped at the camp store for hot refreshments then continued on to Bearfence Mountain Hut for the night. Here tonight are Quest, Epiphanias, Pegasus, Wolly, Mountain Dew and one of the strangest people I have met so far...Coming in from the rain, a middle aged woman walks in and begins to take over a large section of the hut. Her K-Mart plastic bags are scattered on the sleeping deck. Trying to make conversation, I asked her name. In a low, nervous monotone voice I hear ¢Bev¢. I asked if she was northbound or southbound and was told it was none of my business. Meanwhile this woman is constantly going in and out of her K-Mart bags, over and over again. Clothes are thrown into a corner of the shelter. Quest hikes into the hut and notices the ¢new addition¢ and asked the woman her name. He was told it was none of his business, she doesn't give out her name to people she doesn't know. Then, goes back to fidgeting with the plastic bags. A short time passes and Mountain Dew, an 18 year kid, stops writing in his journal and asks the woman what shelter she came from. Her reply, "None of your business, are you putting that in your book?" The woman does not eat and prepares her bed by laying on top of the clothes and putting more clothes on top of her as a blanket. Everyone is nervous going to sleep not knowing what may trigger this person. I think we would all put up our tents, if it weren't for the rain. An eerie night indeed.