17 year old son robbed at Roan Mt Shelter

[Mchales navy]

Son robbed of all camping gear in shelter while he was getting water. Man was about 35, grey hoddie, black beanie. Heading to Hughs Gap

[Red Hat]

You would think that a 17 yr old could catch him, especially carrying gear... What a bummer...

[Carl in FL]

Perhaps he meant to say something like "last seen heading towards Hughs Gap",
because you are correct, a 17 year old ought to be able to catch up to him, if he knows where to look.

[inspectorgene]

IMHO, a seventeen year old does not need to tangle with a 35 yo man that is bold enough to be a thief. Best to alert authorities.

[ChinMusic]

Perhaps he meant to say something like "last seen heading towards Hughs Gap",

There is a parking lot up there not too far away. Easy place for a theif to operate up there. No need to go to Hughs Gap.

[Jeff]

Very sorry to hear of your sons experience. Be assured this is a very rare occurance. Most hikers look out for one another.

[Slo-go'en]

Sure would like to know the rest of the story.

[Trailbender]

IMHO, a seventeen year old does not need to tangle with a 35 yo man that is bold enough to be a thief. Best to alert authorities.

Either that, or be far enough away to nail him in the back of the head with a big rock. I don't take kindly to thieves, especially taking something in the woods that could threaten your life, if the weather turns bad.

[Carl in FL]

Sure would like to know the rest of the story.

Or at least more of the story.

[Lone Wolf]

Son robbed of all camping gear in shelter while he was getting water. Man was about 35, grey hoddie, black beanie. Heading to Hughs Gap

what's a 17 year old doin' without an adult parent or guardian with him? there's certain hostels i wouldn't let a young man like that visit

[ChinMusic]

what's a 17 year old doin' without an adult parent or guardian with him? there's certain hostels i wouldn't let a young man like that visit

Did you have that opinion of Kirby?

[Driver8]

IMHO, a seventeen year old does not need to tangle with a 35 yo man that is bold enough to be a thief. Best to alert authorities.

Hello?!? Common sense, anyone?

McHale, that's terrible your son was robbed. I hope he's ok and hope he got some good out of his trip on the trail.

[Cookerhiker]

what's a 17 year old doin' without an adult parent or guardian with him? there's certain hostels i wouldn't let a young man like that visit

In case you missed it Wolf, the OP posed the question on the wisdom of a 17 year old hiking on this thread and the responses strongly favored the young man doing the hike.

[Tuckahoe]

I never understand why folks want to believe that crimes such as theft would be rare on the trail. What makes the trail and the people on the trail any different than the rest of society?

[Sly]

I was hitch hiking cross country and camping in Canada when I was 17.

[Panzer1]

In case you missed it Wolf, the OP posed the question on the wisdom of a 17 year old hiking on this thread and the responses strongly favored the young man doing the hike.

yea, everybody told the man his son would not have any problems.

Panzer

[Pedaling Fool]

Yeah everybody did say he'd be alright. However, people need to remember that 90% does not equal 100%. So when something goes wrong you can't say, "well every one said it'd be ok...".

[Papa D]

If this kid is a savvy and capable hiker and he wants to, he should replace his gear and get back on the trail. I hate it that he was robbed but it could have happened to anybody - the fact that he was 17 probably has very little relevance. I know of a 50 - something year old thru-hiker that was robbed at Uncle Johnny's (duh). I'm sure that in the future, he'll be exceedingly careful. I'm very sorry that this happened though. Nevertheless, I do maintain that the vast majority of hikers and trail people are trust-worthy.

[FatMan]

I am so sorry to hear this. I hate to see a good hike ruined by this kind of incident.

But this has nothing to do with the victim being a 17 year old. His age had nothing to do with the crime. The 17 year old did what many hikers of all ages do. It's not smart to leave your gear behind when getting water but it is done all the time. I see unattended gear all the time at Gooch Gap. And geez, that it right at a road.

[Papa D]

FatMan is right - we should all be more careful. I really hope he gets back on the trail. If he gets off or is pulled off by his parents then he will have a sense that he couldn't accomplish a goal and they will all have a poor opinion of the trail and its people - this was a random act by a random, rare thief.