Poplar Ridge Lean-to, Getting Lost

Post date: Aug 31, 2016 9:54:35 AM

I'm laying in my sleeping bag on Wednesday 8/31 listening to a light rain smattering the tent. When the wind blows, larger drops fall from the trees. My tent is set up right next to the Poplar Ridge Lean-to which is where the hiker Geraldine Largay stayed in July 2013 before tragically getting lost in the woods when she got off the trail to relieve herself about 2-3 miles north of here. Despite an extensive search, she was not found until October 2015 by a forester. Here is a recent story about her ordeal:

https://www.bostonglobe.com/magazine/2016/08/24/when-you-find-body-the-last-days-hiker-gerry-largay/DcaZf6RcojOTN2LNsOXm0K/story.html

I'll be hiking by the spot she went off trail today as I hike north.

Last night as it was getting dark, I had to use the camp privy. It is located further from the shelter than most privies, about 100 yards south an off the main AT trail. I walked there, did my business, then on the way back, I kid you not, got off the main trail 6-8 paces into what I think was a stealth campsite before realizing it. Now it was quite dark. I had just read the above story. I had brief thoughts racing through my mind of getting lost. Luckily all it took was walking back a few paces and up to the shelter and my tent. But a scary moment indeed