Day 31 – mile 408 to Pond Flats

We were rudely awakened around 2am by our first up close and personal wild life experience on the trail last night. I heard a scratching noise and turned to see a gallon ziploc bag that we had garbage in disappearing from the head end of the tarp, just about 2 feet from my head. I also saw a grey appendage or something or other in the misty moonlight grabbing said garbage bag. I began to bellow very loudly at the intruder and it dropped the bag and scurried away. Katie went out quickly and saw the culprit. It was a big fat old racoon. It didn’t scurry too far. We began to hurl insults and sticks at it. I channeled my father from Locust Lake circa early 90s. The racoon watched us and was unimpressed until some of the impromptu javelin tosses almost took it out. Then it scampered up a tree until I kept hurling stuff when it finally ran away for good. That was fun. The rest of the night was uneventful.

Today we hiked in cool weather along the Laurel Fork for a good bit of the day. The waterfall was impressive.

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A little cold for swimming today

We made an early camp again due to operation slow-down-to-avoid-Trail-Days-in-Damascus (need a better name for that) after a bit over 14 miles. It actually worked well because it started to rain again. Then it started to sleet or maybe hale. It was some icey nonsense.

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Nonsense. Come on weather, it's freaking May

Tonight seems like it’s going to be stinking cold. Hopefully that keeps away our pal. Tomorrow and Sunday we plan to push back to 20 mile days to arrive in Damascus early Monday.

Vital stats :
Mood – chilling
Physical state – still good with the easier days
Smell – like leftover General Tso’s chicken that you forgot in the beer frig for 3 months
Song stuck in my head – Ode to the Sun by Dredg

5 thoughts on “Day 31 – mile 408 to Pond Flats

  1. Mom - Tapey

    I hope you used the famous scare-the-racoon chant of “Shoo, shoo…that’s our food”. It served your father well at Locust Lake and it’s a family secret now revealed! Works every time! Stay warm and dry. Warmer weather is just around the corner…or so we hope! Thinking of you and sending prayers and lots of love.

    Reply
  2. Joann Adams

    Hope the raccoon will be the most threatening wildlife you encounter! The waterfall was indeed impressive — as was the sleet — but in totally different ways. BTW — how much do
    your backpacks weigh (approximately)? (Elias & I are arguing about it.) Stay safe!

    Reply
    1. Joel Post author

      Hi Joann/Elias, thanks for the comments. Our packs weigh around 14 lbs. without food and water. With full food and water they go up around 20-25lbs.

      Reply
  3. Elias

    I love your pictures and commentary. They trigger so many questions that I hope to ask when I see you. Until then, is it possible to make General Tso’s raccoon?

    Elias

    Reply

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