Whether it’s a deer mouse in the shelter, a result of disorganization or a questionable can of meat left by another hiker, there are plenty of opportunities for trail mishaps. Here is what we’ve experienced:
- My hydration bladder had a hole in it before we even hit the trail.
- I lost my scarf at the visitor’s center. (It was later found and mailed to me!)
- Springer Mountain Shelter mouse ate one of Shotgun’s earpieces on his headphones.
- Springer Mountain Shelter mouse then pooped in Shotgun’s pack.
- We couldn’t make the water filter function properly and had to boil our water.
- Shotgun’s stomach became a casualty of vienna sausages.
- We lost our knife in a Taco Bell trash can.
- I lost my towel in Fontana Dam.
- Shotgun lost his towel at Ice Water Spring Shelter.
- We began drying off with our dirty clothes.
- My leg looked like a drumstick to Douglas, the unleashed Dobermann/Rottweiler beast.
- We met Sparky in Fontana Dam and never wanted to hike again.
- I became ceraunophobic on Kelly Knob.
- Shotgun rolled out of a hammock and got wrapped up in the mosquito net on his way down to the ground.
- Our neighbor is a felon.
Don’t worry, Mom & Dad. We’ll be just fine! Happy hiking, y’all!
