Date: 2015-11-11
From: Hightop Hut

To: Pinefield Hut
Miles today: 8.2
Weather: broken clouds

I got up early and quickly packed. It was still foggy, cold, damp, and windy, but the rain stopped. The sun came up over the privy and began to burn through the fog just before I left the shelter. Other than the wind, the forest was absolutely quiet.My wet pack, with all the wet clothes packed inside, was incredibly heavy. I should have been hiking 15 miles or more today, but with the heavy wet pack I was glad I was only hiking 8.2 miles to the next shelter. The goal was to reach the next shelter as early as possible and hang my clothes to dry. I just needed the weather to cooperate.Thankfully the trail was fairly easy. The climbs were minimal and the trail tread was pretty smooth. Best of all, the sun continued to burn off the fog. Instead of being still and spooky, the forest began to come alive again. I heard birds and saw squirrels. I also saw a small flock of hen turkeys. Before long I reached the Pinefield Hut. The Hut is located down a dirt road just .2 miles from Skyline Drive. I was very glad it was Wednesday rather than the weekend. Otherwise, with such easy road access, the Hut would probably be full.The Hut was well maintained, with the water source running right beside the Hut.I reached the Hut before 12:30 and immediately used my bear line to string a clothesline, then I hung all my wet clothes to dry. I emptied my pack and hung it to dry too. Every hour I turned my clothes.For entertainment I read the entire shelter journal. Maybe I shouldn't have. The journal mentioned recent bear activity around the shelter. It also mentioned a nest of copperhead snakes living under the shelter and bats living in the rafters. There were several references to mice - eatting underwear, eating food, and chewing hair for nesting material while women slept. I decided to put my tent up in the shelter to give me a little buffer between me and the shelter wildlife. If the shelter started to fill up (with hikers, not critters) I would take it down. I wanted to dry it out anyways.The day turned out to be beautiful, and my clothes dried nicely in the sun and wind. Everything was working out as planned. Mentally I also felt much better. It was nice to know that my clothes, gear, and pack were all dry, and my pack would be so much lighter.Mid afternoon I made dinner. At about 4:30, as I was 2/3 done eatting my dehydrated MountainHouse meal, I noticed a dark animal on the dirt road leading to the Hut. At first I thought it was a dog and I looked for the hiker who owned the dog. Then I realized it was a bear - just 30 yards from the shelter. The bear slowly crossed the dirt road and headed up the bank on the other side. Then I saw the first cub come down the right bank, cross the dirt road, and follow momma up the left bank. A second cub did the same. Straggling behind was a third cub.That made me sit up and take notice. A single bear is one thing, but a mother bear with cubs can be a whole different situation. I had an unexpected situation with a momma bear and 2 cubs a few years ago. Fortunately it turn out well. But the experience taught me to be extra cautious in such situations. I was also concerned that I had open hot smelly food in my hands. Did the bear smell the food? Was the bear used to finding food at the shelter? Had previous hikers foolishly fed the bear - intentionally or unintentionally? How aggressive was the momma bear willing to be to feed her cubs?On her way up the left bank the momma bear stopped and appeared to be smelling the air while looking towards the shelter. Usually I love to quietly observe wildlife and I go out of my way to not intentionally disturb them. But this particular situation could turn dangerous very quickly. I decided it was time to chase her off. I calmly got my whistle and loudly blew it towards the bears.Momma bear moved on up the hill towards the ridge and the 3 cubs followed, but then she stopped again. I blew the whistle again. She and the cubs moved on up to the ridge and temporarily disappeared over the ridge line.When I looked again, momma bear and her cubs were lingering at the ridgeline. I blew the whistle again and waived my arms. She dipped over the ridgeline again. But a few minutes later, when I checked on her, she was again lingering at the ridgeline.I moved to a spot where I could more easily see the momma bear and she could better see me. I blew the whistle and again waived my arms. Momma bear reluctantly disappeared over the ridgeline. I stood in that spot and watched for 20 minutes. I never saw her or the cubs again.I quickly finished my meal and hung my food on the bear pole. Then I finished putting my pack together and got ready for bed. I will admit I had a hard time getting to sleep. I kept waiting for the bears to come back, and for the copperhead snakes, bats, and hair eatting mice to show up.The AT is calling. My pack, clothes, gear, and I are all dry and ready to go. I just need some peaceful sleep - free of critters.