Stolen re-supply

imported
#1

Just wanted to pass along some information about a stolen resupply. My friend and I were 5 days into the 100 Mile Wilderness a couple of weeks ago and our 5 day re-supply of food, meds, clean socks, fuel, etc was stolen along AT near B-Pond Road. Couldn’t believe a hiker would do that to another hiker in an isolated area with no cell phone service. And…when we finally returned to our car at Abol Bridge the window was smashed and more of our stuff stolen. Awful way to end an otherwise great hike.

Seattle

#2

That sucks indeed. But are you sure the first instance was necessarily a hiker? Was it even necessarily a human? Food stored unsecurely can be irresistible to a bear, which could possibly have hauled the whole kit and kaboodle off the trail and out of sight.

cappy

#3

really sorry to hear that! concerned for some new friensa coming up to do same hike. but thanks so much for reporting it. cappy - not that many bears up here that would do that and a bear didn’t smash their window!

frogcaller

#4

There is always more to the story. How was the food secured? How well was it hidden?

There are bears in the woods and they are getting hungry this time of year. If the re-supply was stashed out of sight from the road or trail, there is very little chance a person would see it. If it was visable from trail or road, it could have been thought of as trash and removed as such.

A bear on the other hand would be very capable of finding it. It would have to be very well hung in a tree for a bear not to get it down. If you’ve never seen a bear climb a tree and take a food bag down, you have no idea what they are capable of.

As for the car break in, you should know better than to leave a car parked at a trail head with stuff someone might what to steal in plain sight. Lock it into the trunk of the car or other secure, out of sight location.

Slo-go’en

#5

does anyone else wonder that this is strange - the same folks getting hit by vandals/bears within just a few miles of the 100 m. wilderness? i’m really concerned for other hikers out there now and would appreciate any confirmation of this report. thanks

frogcaller

#6

Strange as in coincidental? Perhaps, but again it really all depends on the actions of the hiker, as Slo mentions. The world is a needy place and will take whatever you be giving it. Doubtful the two events are linked to the same instigator, though, unless Seattle has someone vengeful out for him in the greater north Maine woods area.

cappy

#7

I usually am pretty trusting out on the trail. Even so, when leaving a cache, I make an effort to conceal it pretty well and hide it off the beaten path. I don’t worry about backpackers becasue most backpackers I know arent going to want to take on extra weight. My big concern is off-roaders, day hikers and citters.

The only time I’ve done this, I’ve used bear cans. Anything less is asking for trouble.

jalan

#8

Sorry folks, but bears have been known to break car windows, especially if they can smell food in them. If the window was open just a fraction, they could have easily grabbed & broken it. However, if no food was involved, maybe they were lured by the other smells,ie: long-worn socks, clothes, etc. They get pretty hungry before hibernating.

Dianne