May 30 - The Mouse that Roared

Post date: May 31, 2012 7:46:28 PM

As "Five Pair" headed out of the Big Meadows Lodge, "Pedestrian" hiked up and advised "Five Pair" that he got caught in the downpour and the trail was completely inundated with water with parts looking more like little rivers than a trail. He advised that he got soaked to the bone but very much enjoyed the opportunity to stomp his way through the very long puddle that was the AT late yesterday.

Counter to "Pedestrian’s" attitude, "Five Pair" was quite happy to have been dry last night was refreshed and ready for the hike. In looking at the shelters, huts and camping areas near the AT and without the need for extended off trail hiking; the Pass Mountain Hut being 18 miles away was the only option without hiking 30 miles or doing a greater than ½ hike off the trail to a campground. Item to note… camping is restricted in Shenandoah to specific areas or to locations outside of view of Skyline Drive. Also, given the prevalent bear activity setting up camp within proximity of others is the safer, better option. So down the trail she headed.

A quick stop at Byrd’s Nest #3 Hut revealed it to be a hut with its surrounding area that "Five Pair" found unsuitable even if she had planned to stop there. The hut was surrounded (read: overgrown) by high grass and given the number of snakes recently seen, it appeared likely to be a nice place for such inhabitants. In addition, present were numerous birds (apparently the name of this hut has a basis in fact) that were extremely loud and having dealt with squawking birds at prior shelters, "Five Pair" was happy to pass by this location.

"Five Pair" arrived at Pass Mountain Hut quite late after 18.4 miles and surprisingly only two other hikers were there, were not familiar to "Five Pair", and were both already set up in the hut. Given the bear activity, tenting without others in proximity wasn’t a comfortable thought so she begrudgingly moved toward setting up in the hut. As she began to set out her ground cover, a single mouse appeared and, according to "Five Pair", looked at her completely unfazed by the three hikers and seemed completely unconcerned about the human occupants. Such was the attitude of this little rodent that "Five Pair" had the time to get her camera and take a couple photos of this Braveheart version of mus musculus. While mice seem cute from a distance, these little varmints can wreak havoc on gear and clothing in their search for the smallest of food morsels. "Five Pair" considering the options related to this William Wallace of mice heard hikers coming up the trail and turned to see "Flash" and "Dirty Girl" (Click here to see Dirty Girl's journal) appear followed shortly thereafter by "Pedestrian". After seeing "Five Pair’s" photo of the mouse, the hikers determined that tenting was the better option and "Five Pair" quickly agreed. Note: mice frequently are found more readily in shelters as the open areas where hikers camp do not provide the safety of cover.

As the day wound down, a nearby squeal was heard and a hiker at camp advised that a bear cub was signaling its mother. Almost immediately nearby brush came alive with movement as an animal of some size moved rapidly through and with that, the day came to an end.

936.9 miles complete/1,247.5 miles to go