[pct-l] cougar sightings north of santiam pass

[Rachel Dysart]

I've been following a few journals and I've read of encounters with a "huge 
mountain lion"

From Freebird's journal:

"Half Brew mentioned that they had run into a huge mountain lion in northern 
Oregon. It just sat there on the PCT and didn't budge when they both waved 
sticks over their heads & yelled. SO Rosie & Half Brew decided to backtrack and 
bushwhack around the big cat. After about 10 minutes of bushwhacking, to his 
horror Half Brew heard Rosie (who was tailing him) yell out "BAD KITTY!!! BAD 
KITTY!!!" and turned to see that the cougar had persued them into the woods. 
They both retreated once again - back to the PCT and then hiked back to back 
(Rosie in the back) for FIVE MILES into the night to get away from the cat. WOW. 
Easily the best wildlife encounter on the trail this year as far as I know."

I read another account of the cougar stalking someone a few miles to a 
trailhead.

- RD





________________________________
From: CHUCK CHELIN <steeleye at wildblue.net>
To: 5418610024 at vzw.blackberry.net
Cc: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net; MAXINE WEYANT <weyantm at msn.com>; Pct-l 
<pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Fri, August 27, 2010 6:40:15 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] cougar sightings north of santiam pass

Good morning,

It may seem counterintuitive but a large, healthy cougar is not much of a
threat to people; it’s just too easy for them to stay well-fed on deer.



300 lbs. is probably about twice what an adult cougar will weigh, but this
animal’s relatively large size and its location a prime wilderness area
bodes well for hikers.  The largest, most dominate individuals – those who
are the most successful hunters – occupy the most desirable deer hunting
areas.  The young, weak, and less capable animals are pushed into the
marginal hunting areas, often areas that are closer to human development.  Near
humans they are more likely to be hard pressed for food and could get into
mischief by taking pets or very rarely pursuing people.



Anyone who sights a cougar along the PCT should feel truly fortunate rather
than be frightened.



Steel-Eye

Hiking the Pct since before it was the PCT – 1965

http://www.trailjournals.com/steel-eye

http://www.trailjournals.com/SteelEye09


On Thu, Aug 26, 2010 at 1:30 PM, <5418610024 at vzw.blackberry.net> wrote:

> We heard the same thing three weeks ago (before fire). Someone said it
> weighed 300 pounds, but a friend who helped his Ph.D. son tag cougars said
> 190-200 is considered to be a big one
> ------Original Message------
> From: MAXINE WEYANT
> Sender: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net
> To: Pct-l
> Subject: [pct-l] cougar sightings north of santiam pass
> Sent: Aug 26, 2010 12:08
>
>
> Just came off a section hike from Hwy 138 NOBO in OR.  Was supposed to go
> to Olallie Lake but stopped at McKenzie Pass because of new fire there and
> the cont'd fire North of Santiam Pass.  Lloyd Gust, trail angel superhero,
> told me that a lot of hikers have seen a cougar on the trail north of
> Santiam, presumably displaced by the fire.  He made it sound like nearly
> every hiker had seen it for several days now.  Any input from hikers?
>
> Damn that Sisters Wildeness section is beautiful!!
>
> Dys-feng-shui-nal
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