[pct-l] scariest sounds

[susanstar3 at msn.com (susanstar3@msn.com)]

Hi folks of the PCT=L  Ive been reading along with you for a number of months.  Planned to do some section hiking and KO last yr, but plan changed due to illness. Learned lots from this group. Thanks.   
Scariest Sounds- the softest snuffle next to my head on the other side of the tent wall with occasional "nose indentations", from the following:
- deer licking salt off the t-shirt a partner draped on the side of the tent to dry over night (instant salt lick) eventually found trees are better to for this function - far far from tent ( now his shirts were well vented rags- better than the tent),  
-a  very large porcupine looking for love?, food?, salt?- making sweet humming noises.
-snuffling and sniffing of a large moist nose of a black bear lurking thru camp in Glacier Bay sniffing way to close to my head (in REI half dome tent 2 person tent).  Attempted to silently reach and grab the silly bear spray however, instead accidentally stuck my fingers right into the eyes of my hiking partner twice - luckily did not awaken her screaming (as she is partial to not being assualted in her sleep) - also never got the can of spray in time for any potential antibear use. The bear did visit the next camp site and obtained a margine bowl the these folks use for something and tore up some stuff as well as attempt to enter the laundry room the next day. Never assume your only vulnerable in the wilderness = while doing laundry at the lodge suddenly the bear came down the side walk and attempted to enter to laundry room.  I bravely announced that we should both hold the door closed then choose a place to escape (hmm bright ideas??? ok very humble now- after watching griz having popped open car trunks like tuna cans)- I spied an empty dryer and  actually thought about making a quick entry = however the forceful pounding changed and seconds later pounding repeatedly at the door was not the bear but a fellow who needed his clean socks awaiting the next empty dryer - clearly deniying that a min ago there was a bear attempting to enter.  Laughed so hard.  Poor fella. Wonder what he thought about two gals attempting to keep him from his clean socks... bear was eventually relocated due to freq human contact.  Humbling experiences/or lessons learned - no tent styled salt licks, bear spray may not help you, and dont leave your clean socks unattended  in the laundry rooms.
-Susan in Seattle

----- Original Message -----
From: Jim Keener
Sent: Sunday, August 21, 2005 9:30 PM
To: pct-l
Subject: [pct-l] Scariest Sound

Greetings:

Slow night on the PCT-L and I'm watching a re-run of "My Cousin Vinnie" as
I'm working on a project. And there was this Screech Owl in the movie that
Vinnie tried to shoot - and missed. Anyway, it reminded me of a night I
spent at Hawk Camp in the Marin Headlands. At about eleven, an hour or so
after I got to sleep, an owl let go with the most horrible sound I've ever
heard. LOUD. About 15 feet away. It was on the ground and was making a
strange sound with its wings, as well. It took all the nerve I had to look
out the tent to see what was going on. That was the scariest sound I've
heard while sleeping on the ground. What's yours?

J J


_______________________________________________
pct-l mailing list
pct-l@mailman.backcountry.net
unsubscribe or change options:
http://mailman.hack.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l