I have what I guess you’d call a public service announcement: I would like to tell any CDT hikers who might be in the Benchmark Wilderness Ranch region to be on the lookout for a stocky guy with a scar running down the length of his face. I’ll try to explain as briefly as I can:
My friend Bruce Nelson, aka “Colter”, is hiking the CDT Northbound this summer. I am the “support crew”, mailing packages, handling logistics, etc.
I received a phone call this morning from Beverly, the woman who runs the Benchmark Ranch. She was worried about a man who was staying at her ranch. Apparently, my friend Colter made the ranch on about the 10th, picked up his re-supply package, and kept hiking. Later that day, another man arrived at the Ranch, claimed he was a SOBO CDT hiker named Bruce Nelson, (but couldn’t remember his trail name), and asked for his re-supply box.
On the phone, Beverly asked me what “Colter” looks like, and it didn’t take long to figure out that this second arrival, claiming to be Bruce, was lying. Beverly said he had an “old scar, all the way down his face”, and she had a bad feeling about him. Her dog wouldn’t stop barking at him, either. He apparently took a bunch of food from the hiker box, and wanted to stay at the ranch a couple nights because he said he’d sprained his ankle. This, too, turned out to be a lie, which Beverly confirmed when she saw the ankle and there was no swelling at all. He also apparently had no real pack, and was not dressed for hiking. I ended our conversation this morning by urging Beverly to get the sherriff to escort this guy off the premises, but I don’t know what happened.
Anyway, I’m not sure what’s going on, or if this guy is dangerous or not, but just be a little careful if you happen to see him.
MelanieH