Theft on the AT - 10/26 at Campsite 113 just north of Fontana in the GSMNP

[madgoat]

Heads up to all in the area.

We were finishing up a 5 day loop in the GSMNP. Our last night of the trip was Monday 10/26 and we were staying at Backcountry Campsite 113 (Birch Springs Gap) on the AT. This is about 5 miles northbound from Fontana Dam. When we broke camp at 5am (to get to Shuckstack for sunrise, which was flipping awesome) we noticed all 4 of our food bags were gone from the bear cables. We always use a carabiner to clip our food to the cables instead of using the hooks because some bears have learned to shake the cables until the treats drop. As we were leaving the campsite around 6am, we noticed 2 of our food bags placed neatly by a log on the trail. However, the thief made off with a blue DCF roll top zpacks food bag, a soto windmaster stove, 50' of yellow bear bag line, an orange sea to summit spoon (which I love dearly), a white lexan spoon, a stainless steel mug, a green gsi infinity mug, some trail mix, 9 breakfast bars, and sundry toothbrushes, toothpaste, loose tea, instant coffee packets, fire starters, and drink mixes. We didn't notice any noises or lights through the night, but due to the nature of the campsite, we were camped a good ways uphill from the bear bag lines and the entry to the campsite. We were in our tents from ~10pm-5am.

There were 2 other people staying in the campsite, and their packs were undisturbed.

If you are hiking in the same general area, keep on the lookout. Most likely this person was just after food, and they got very little from us since all we had left was a small bag of target sweet cajun trail mix and 9 breakfast bars, because the two bags he left behind had some really nice titanium pots and mugs in them. Probably a homeless person, or somebody pilfering their way along the trail. Doubtful that it was somebody who parked down at Fontana just to climb uphill for 5 miles to steal a couple food bags.

I reported this to the GSMNP backcountry office this morning. GSMNP said they had no similar reports in the area yet, but that they usually see a pattern that helps them track down the person.

Perhaps somebody who was hiking norhtbound from 113 may have found some of our gear left along the trail. If so, please send me a message. Not a big deal, because its just stuff. But it would be good to get it back. More important that others be on the lookout.

Takeaway #1 - We have been backpacking in the GSMNP for 23+ years and have never had anything like this happen.
Takeaway #2 - Super happy that we were on our last night of our trip, so we could finish out what we had planned. Would have been a bummer to have to cut a trip short due to someone stealing our food.
Takeaway #3 - Great views from High Rocks and Rocky Top. Truly blessed to see such a clear magnificent display of stars and sunrise on Tuesday morning at Shuckstack. "The heavens declare the glory of God, the skies proclaim the work of his hands." Psalms 19:1

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(Venus)


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