Re: Psycho
Posted: Tue Jan 18, 2011 4:48 pm
Ive had a few starnge encounters in the backcountry as well, and likey have been the source of stories for tohers as well
One wasnt really that strange, just a bit startling. Me, my borther Jim, and a friend Tom were doing a hike from South Lake to Sawmill Pass in something like 80 or 81. Great trip!! On our 1st day out going up the Bishop Pass trail I see this guy running down the trail towards me. Nowadays I wouldnt be surprised, but in 1980 or 81 I had never even heard of cross country runner. My first thought was "what was chasing this guy and I began to turn to flee down trail as well. I quickly realized however that with my full pack (at the begginning of a 9 day hike with no food resupplies) I would quickly be overtaken so I started scambling up the side of the hill. My brother sees this and mutters something about what the f&$% am I doing just as this guy comes around the corner. My brothers puzzled as well and this guy must have read our expressions cuz he instantly stated nothing was wrong, that he was out for a run.
Later on the same trip we saw something none of us could explain. We crossed Pinchot Pass during a storm and were moving towards Twin Lakes where we intended to camp. From above we could see a point that the Park Service had rerouted the JMT around a meadow. The old trail in the meadow as still clearly visible and in the meadow area was a group of 4 or 5 folks. They were all sittiing on their knees and were appeared to be rhytmically beating the ground in front of them with what appeared to be their insulite pads. My brother saw it first and asked for my opinion. At first I thought they must be swatting ants or something, but it all continued for a few minutes with no change. As we watched, we beagn to make out sounds that sounded like chanting. While curious, we decided the best thing to do was leave well enough alone and we took the main trail.
Now on one trip, I was likley the psycho. I did a 5 day solo trip in 1989. It was the only solo trip Ive done, cuz it turns out I like company too much . I decided to hike out a day early and to do so, I set up a quick camp my last night. I just through out my pancho and slept on it. The camp I chose was an old packers camp that was pretty dusty. When I picked up in the morning, I didnt realize I got a pretty good "smudge" of dirt across my face when packing up. I kept running into people who would ask how long I had been out and more surprisingly too me was how many asked if I was OK. Not one person said anything like I had dirt on my face or even a , "um hey buddy, not sure if you know it but 1/2 your face is covered with dirt. I even went across the Florecne Lake ferry and no one said a word. I went to my truck to get my wallet to buy a soda and saw myself in the mirror!!! UUUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!! Thats why folks were looking at me so wierd.
One wasnt really that strange, just a bit startling. Me, my borther Jim, and a friend Tom were doing a hike from South Lake to Sawmill Pass in something like 80 or 81. Great trip!! On our 1st day out going up the Bishop Pass trail I see this guy running down the trail towards me. Nowadays I wouldnt be surprised, but in 1980 or 81 I had never even heard of cross country runner. My first thought was "what was chasing this guy and I began to turn to flee down trail as well. I quickly realized however that with my full pack (at the begginning of a 9 day hike with no food resupplies) I would quickly be overtaken so I started scambling up the side of the hill. My brother sees this and mutters something about what the f&$% am I doing just as this guy comes around the corner. My brothers puzzled as well and this guy must have read our expressions cuz he instantly stated nothing was wrong, that he was out for a run.
Later on the same trip we saw something none of us could explain. We crossed Pinchot Pass during a storm and were moving towards Twin Lakes where we intended to camp. From above we could see a point that the Park Service had rerouted the JMT around a meadow. The old trail in the meadow as still clearly visible and in the meadow area was a group of 4 or 5 folks. They were all sittiing on their knees and were appeared to be rhytmically beating the ground in front of them with what appeared to be their insulite pads. My brother saw it first and asked for my opinion. At first I thought they must be swatting ants or something, but it all continued for a few minutes with no change. As we watched, we beagn to make out sounds that sounded like chanting. While curious, we decided the best thing to do was leave well enough alone and we took the main trail.
Now on one trip, I was likley the psycho. I did a 5 day solo trip in 1989. It was the only solo trip Ive done, cuz it turns out I like company too much . I decided to hike out a day early and to do so, I set up a quick camp my last night. I just through out my pancho and slept on it. The camp I chose was an old packers camp that was pretty dusty. When I picked up in the morning, I didnt realize I got a pretty good "smudge" of dirt across my face when packing up. I kept running into people who would ask how long I had been out and more surprisingly too me was how many asked if I was OK. Not one person said anything like I had dirt on my face or even a , "um hey buddy, not sure if you know it but 1/2 your face is covered with dirt. I even went across the Florecne Lake ferry and no one said a word. I went to my truck to get my wallet to buy a soda and saw myself in the mirror!!! UUUUUGGGGHHHHH!!!!! Thats why folks were looking at me so wierd.