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Fiddler
11-18-2005, 03:15
What's the funniest or wierdest thing you ever found in a shelter or at a campground that was left behind by another hiker? Or maybe put in a hiker box? Did you leave it or take it?

SnakebiteSurvivor
11-18-2005, 06:24
I found a pair of pants in the Boy Scout Shelter north of Rt 311 in VA. Left 'em there.

The Old Fhart
11-18-2005, 07:32
I think the regulation-size bowling ball left at the Fontana Hilton in 1998 takes the cake. Turns out a year later I happened to mention this to someone I was hiking with and he told me he left it. Seems one of his friends sent him a mail drop at Fontana and, as a joke, sent him the bowling ball. As far as I know, no one took the ball with them. ;)

Whistler
11-18-2005, 08:04
I saw the latest issue of Tattoo magazine at Jenny Knob shelter [I think that's where]. Not much reading material, but some cool pictures. One lady had a belt, holster, and gun inked on her hips...
-Mark

Mouse
11-18-2005, 08:13
A bottle of lavender nail polish at Miss Janet's. Who thruhikes in nail polish?

Gray Blazer
11-18-2005, 08:43
Whistler, you can have my magazine. Mouse, please return my nail polish.

Nean
11-18-2005, 08:45
Thanks Mouse, I wondered where I'd left that!:p

Mouse
11-18-2005, 08:46
But I only BORROWED it, I swear. I did my nails then put the bottle right back.

Having lavender nails got a lot of laughs on the trail and it took until Harpers Ferry to completely wear off.

Nean
11-18-2005, 08:47
You're right BearBaitII. Come to think about it, mine was burgandy.;)

Tractor
11-18-2005, 08:55
I found a six pack of Bud, in the bottle, intact, except all the bottles were empty. dry. I suspect aliens....:)

TJ aka Teej
11-18-2005, 08:57
A tent.
In June of 2003 a southbounder at Katahdin left their tent set up to dry out after a rainy night. They went up and down the Hunt Trail, picked up their pack from the Ranger's porch, and headed out to Abol Bridge. Must've had a lot on his mind!

SGT Rock
11-18-2005, 09:13
Yes, I have found a tent, with groundcloth, some food, and underwear left still set up with the door wide open and a good collection of leaves blown in. My guess was someone got out there to try backpacking, hated it, and just abandoned their stuff they didn't still want, like that heavy old tent :D

Mouse
11-18-2005, 09:29
Let me guess, it was a huge wall-tent thingy of heavy canvass emblazened with either "U.S" or "C.S.A.", it had a few round holes just over a half inch in it, the food was some fort of petrified meat and round crackers, the underwear dirty long woolens.....

Almost There
11-18-2005, 09:36
An economy sized plastic jar of Hellmans Mayonnaise at Hawk Mountain shelter. Needless to say I left it...way too big for me to pack out so early in a hike!

Doctari
11-18-2005, 10:23
@ Tray Mt Shelter, a tent & ground cloth. In good condition, set up properly. My guess (like Rock's) is they tried hiking, didn't like it, packed up & left. I took the tent down & left it in the shelter. Someone took the ground cover as his was missing of inadequate. As far as I know the tent stayed. There may have been stuff in it, was a long time ago so I don't remember. Looked like a K-mart style 2 man "backpacking" tent, I bet it leaked like crazy :datz

Also found a good head lamp at Cable Gap shelter, I took that and did find the owner about 2 days later, he was happy. :dance

Doctari.

The Solemates
11-18-2005, 10:24
i have hiked southbound on the AT in GA several times in april after the huge rush of hikers has already passed thru. several pieces of my gear has been collected on these hikes. i have certainly found weird things like huge bowie knives, entire "family" tents, etc. but usually its just unwanted nalgenes, extra food, heavy books, extra socks, and carved walking sticks.

Hikes in Rain
11-18-2005, 10:49
Muskrat Creek shelter, a brand spanking new, with tags intact, L.L. Bean windbreaker, in my size. Never caught up with the owner, so it replaced the old heavier one I used to use.

Alligator
11-18-2005, 11:19
I found a polarguard sleeping about a 1/2 mile from the trailhead crossing. I picked it up and carried it for several days, thinking I might find the owner. Never did.

A pair of panties (purple or pink) hanging from a shelter food hook. I left them.

SGT Rock
11-18-2005, 11:22
At a campsite in the Ozarks I found a 3 D cell maglight, a 2 D cell maglight, a pair of bluejeans, three pairs of cotton socks, and an Army canteen all stacked neatly. I figured either someone decided they were not worth carrying, or they were packing and forgot to get those items.

Chip
11-18-2005, 11:27
A pair of Bunny (Playboy) ears on a small log in the middle of the trail. Later found one of those windmill or twirl straws in the middle of the trail standing straight up. We had read the log book at Clyde Smith Shelter where Stinky Pinky wrote that she had misplaced her ears and twirl stick. :eek:

SGT Rock
11-18-2005, 11:35
Not on the trail, but I once found a tree full of different women's lingerie in the woods in an area where a National Guard unit had just had a summer AT. Pretty darn interesting stuff ;)

DebW
11-18-2005, 11:38
A pair of boots without the laces at Wilcox North last year. 3 fleece blankets, a bicycle helmet, and some heavy cast iron at Mark Noepel this fall.

gravityman
11-18-2005, 11:40
a ditty back filled with stuff - a pound of coffee, a dozen eggs in a plastic holder, 50 ft of 5 mm rope and a ton of other stuff. I have a picture that I will someday upload. It was on the way from Hawk mountain to Gooch Gap somewhere this past March.

Gravity

gravityman
11-18-2005, 11:41
ack, can't edit... ditty back = ditty bag

Skeemer
11-18-2005, 12:26
Sgt Rock wrote:
I once found a tree full of different women's lingerie
and
Alligator:
A pair of panties (purple or pink)

Whaaaat....you guys didn't try them on?...you know cotton kills and nylon thrills!:D

Kembo
11-18-2005, 12:41
I found half of a 2" diameter salami hanging from the rafters of Thunder Hill shelter in mid July. Just a touch of mold growing on it. I didn't take it with me though. I ate it right there.

Alligator
11-18-2005, 12:49
Whaaaat....you guys didn't try them on?...you know cotton kills and nylon thrills!:D
If they ain't crotchless, I'm not wearing 'em. Gotta have a hatch.

Seeker
11-18-2005, 13:54
have run into lots of discarded clothing: mostly the odd sock, sometimes underwear, lots of shower shoes, and once a nice windbreaker (i left it.)the most useful thing i ever found was a photon light, just laying on the ground inside a shelter. found out later just how much it cost... the person who dropped it must have been pretty mad. i still use it.

Red Hat
11-18-2005, 14:17
Last year after the blizzard blew in April 2nd, I hiked out of Fontana on April 4th. At the first shelter was a tent left up, still partially covered in snow. A hiker named something?Joe picked it up and used it well into VA when he sent it home. The hiker who left it must have just wanted to get out of the blizzard and couldn't move the tent covered with snow. Sorry I can't remember Joe's name, but I can see his face as plain as day. Senility of old age I guess...

gsingjane
11-18-2005, 14:49
Since this seems like it would be a good place to ask, I won't talk about what I've found (not too exciting) but what I lost... we're still looking for my son's black-wire-rimmed glasses, left behind at Pine Swamp shelter in CT in August. Any finders? I would be happy to pay for postage for return, PM me...

Jane in CT

Rain Man
11-18-2005, 17:04
... Sorry I can't remember Joe's name, but I can see his face as plain as day. Senility of old age I guess...

That would be Turbo Joe (from Long Island, NY, I believe). At Ice Water Springs Shelter, on a stormy night with TWENTY FOUR hikers, he was the only one to set up his tent (the one you mentioned) and sleep outside.

Rain:sunMan

.

fiddlehead
11-18-2005, 18:10
I once found a brand new, in the bag, climbing rope on a JMT hike. I had to carry it 4 days but still use it.

stupe
11-18-2005, 18:49
Over the years on many different trails I have found.....
Two tents, one sleeping bag that I still have, a pair of Columbia zip off pants, spandex tights, a sewing kit, a roll of duct tape, various cooking utensils, several hats, a jar of shoe waterproofing, too much canned food to list, an onion, a bottle of peach schnapps, a bottle of Absolut citron, often find beer, a wheeled gadget that you roll along a map and it gives you the milelage, loads of empty cartridges, some live ammo, and several pair of sunglasses,and loads of change. Found a 30.06 rifle in the bottom of a gorge once, all rusty.
Last year at Eagle's Nest Shelter in Pa, somebody left a half a quart of rum, some coca cola, a pint of Southern Comfort, a pint of Canadian Club, and some Richard's Wild Irish Rose. I had a good time with the rum and coke, took the Canadian Club with me, and left the Sudden Discomfort and Richard's there.
Off the trail, I admit that I am always looking for free stuff, and often find it. In the last year, I found a Nikon digital camera in the street ( I did make an effort to find the owner ) , and just assembled a mountain bike ( with a sweet Giant aluminum frame ) from parts I found abandoned or in dumpsters. By the time I found two wheels that fit, I had five good tires. But that's NYC for you, you could build a bike a month with the parts you find.
I rarely find porno mags in the woods. What's wrong with the kids these days?

Uncle Silly
11-18-2005, 18:52
i found a pair of men's boxers, the black ex-officio synthetic kind, on a stump beside the privy ... at one of the Shenandoah NP shelters, i believe. it was left there.

i also found a blaze-orange baseball cap on a vertical stick beside the trail up a rocky hillside in PA. i stopped briefly to see if the hat was something i wanted to pick up, but apparently it was there to mark a very active nest of ants ... they were swarming all over the place! naturally i didn't stay long.

TwoForty
11-18-2005, 18:56
I rarely find porno mags in the woods. What's wrong with the kids these days?

They have the internet now :banana

You can find all sorts of abandoned bike on the virginia creeper trail. If you carry a spare tube and tools, you can ride back to town!

Roland
11-18-2005, 19:01
In September 04, I saw a crutch on the trail to Bemis. It looked brand new.

ARambler
11-18-2005, 22:10
Lots of garbage is lift in GA. I've have two Maine stories. In 2004, I was hoping that I could make it through the 100 mile wilderness before my filter completely failed. I met Rambunny who had just found a brand new one on the trail and was tired fo carrying it.

This year, I found this plastic container tied to a tree.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9349&c=528

It appears to be cigars, but is labeled S.W.I.F.T. Do any of this years hikers know him and what S.W.I.F.T. stands for? ;)

Moxie00
11-18-2005, 23:13
The Truth; At Hawk Mountain Shelter, one day into my thru is 2000 I found two amo belts, like you would use in a machine gun. I hung them over my shoulder. Poncho Vila style and "Four Bears" took my picture. He later sent it to my wife but she lost it and I never saw it. I imagine some Army Ranger student got tired iof carrying that many bullets and just abandoned them. Not wanting to carry all that weight to Maine I left them at the shelter. "Dances With Mice" was southbound that day and may have carried them back to Springer. I never heard of them again.

Dances with Mice
11-18-2005, 23:27
"Dances With Mice" was southbound that day and may have carried them back to Springer. I never heard of them again.I didn't get them that day, but did carry them out later. Or, more accurately, I was part of a maintenance crew that removed them and other trash after the spring rush was over.

Dances with Mice
11-18-2005, 23:45
This probably doesn't rate as unusual, but I've noticed that Woods Hole Shelter in GA, the one between Woody Gap & Blood Mtn, gets more than its share of cooking utensils. I believe when NOBOs get there they've cooked a couple of suppers and realize they don't really need large stainless steel serving spoons, spatulas, large slotted spoons, ladels, 4 quart pots, little plastic cutting boards, stuff like that, and they don't want to carry them up Blood Mtn. I once outfitted a Scout patrol with utensils I carried out of Woods.

I also found a big, 8X8 foot, dome tent near there at Jarrard Gap. Clearly abandoned, it had blown into trees just off the ridge and was covered with ice. Poles and everything. I hauled it home but eventually trashed it when I cleaned out my garage. Cheap "American Camper" or some such brand.

Sleepy the Arab
11-19-2005, 01:58
An economy sized plastic jar of Hellmans Mayonnaise at Hawk Mountain shelter. Needless to say I left it...way too big for me to pack out so early in a hike!

That wasn't for eatin' either. A similar object inspired author James Dickey.

And for things I found...
Odd: At Gooch Gap Shelter I found the first six Appalachian Trail Guides. I suspect someone intended to carry them to Harpers Ferry and then switch out to the last seven. And yet to this day I think to myself, why didn't I take them and mail them home at Walasi-Yi?

Weird: I've found porn: a Penthouse at the Newhall Lean-to privy (about 40 miles into the 100 mile wilderness), a Penthouse at Jenkins Shelter, and a Club International jammed into the rocks at an overlook coming down to Delaware Water Gap.

Really Weird: A plastic doll, bereft of all clothing, jammed upside-down between two trees just before Hughs Gap. I'll post the picture if I can find it.

Nightwalker
11-19-2005, 15:58
A bottle of lavender nail polish at Miss Janet's. Who thruhikes in nail polish?
That would be Texas Dreamer!

Nightwalker
11-19-2005, 16:22
Deep Gap shelter. An almost new set of Lowa Renegade II GTX Mid boots. I only had to have the toe box stretched a little and they fit wonderfully. I wore them yesterday. I'll wear them all winter. When they wear out, I'll replace them with Lowas. Maybe a Lowa rep left them to increase future sales?

At the same shelter there was bags and bags of dehydrated veggies, trail mix, a new MSR canister, some clothes and other stuff, all neatly laid out for whoever followed on to get if they wanted. I took what I needed, then spent a good deal of time strewing the leftover food through the nearby woods for the squirrels. The mice get plenty without leaving more, and it was after the Spring rush, so there wouldn't have been a group of folks to get it the next evening. I left a note for Glen telling him the deal, and letting him know what I'd done. I couldn't carry out everything, but you do what you can. Side note: Always carry a garbage bag in GA. Carry out *OPT. Good karma, and God likes it too.

Besides, hiker trash ain't that common out there. Most folks think left-behinds might have germs or somethin' if it ain't store sealed. That dehydrated stuff was good eatin' though. I get lots-o-goodies from hiker boxes. I eat better than I can afford that way!


*(Other People's Trash)

Skidsteer
11-20-2005, 20:00
Rats,
I just spent the night at deep gap two weeks ago. Luck of the draw, I guess. Maybe next time, I'll get the boots!

Nightwalker
11-20-2005, 20:43
Rats,
I just spent the night at deep gap two weeks ago. Luck of the draw, I guess. Maybe next time, I'll get the boots!
Hiker trash unite!

Sly can be our leader...

Wolf - 23000
11-21-2005, 11:50
The Funniest and Wierdest Thing left behind I recall finding ... I found several tents, sleeping bags, a lot of camping gear over the years but I finding a blow up sex doll I think tops the list. I ran into it back a couple years in VA, March of 96. I did not see anyone that day and did stick around the shelter long but I can guess someone was having fun.

Tabasco
11-21-2005, 13:17
Lots of garbage is lift in GA. I've have two Maine stories. In 2004, I was hoping that I could make it through the 100 mile wilderness before my filter completely failed. I met Rambunny who had just found a brand new one on the trail and was tired fo carrying it.

This year, I found this plastic container tied to a tree.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9349&c=528

It appears to be cigars, but is labeled S.W.I.F.T. Do any of this years hikers know him and what S.W.I.F.T. stands for? ;)

I stayed at Gooch with SWIFT on Sat April 2nd. It stands for *****, What'd I Forget Today

Turbo Joe
04-18-2006, 22:47
Last year after the blizzard blew in April 2nd, I hiked out of Fontana on April 4th. At the first shelter was a tent left up, still partially covered in snow. A hiker named something?Joe picked it up and used it well into VA when he sent it home. The hiker who left it must have just wanted to get out of the blizzard and couldn't move the tent covered with snow. Sorry I can't remember Joe's name, but I can see his face as plain as day. Senility of old age I guess...

Talk about an urban legend i only carried that thing to standing bear farm the i gave it to my bro in law back home

tsali
04-19-2006, 10:42
At William Brein shelter in NY, someone had left a down comforter, a nice one like you would have on your bed at home. They also had left a huge bag a trash. I guess they did not read the sign that said "if you pack it in, Pack it out."

astrogirl
04-19-2006, 22:51
Is this your SWIFT? http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=2748

I met him in TN last year, we stayed overnight at a couple of the same places.

hikerjohnd
04-20-2006, 22:48
At Stover Creek last year - a pencil bag, plastic with zip-loc type sliding closure, full of what I believe was powdered milk. Wierd...

nyushka42
04-24-2006, 02:35
Not too weird, and not on the AT either, but my brother & I found a set of golf clubs while hiking in the Adirondacks. We picked up 2 & used them to get branches outta the way on the way back to the car & then trashed them at home.

swift
04-24-2006, 16:36
Lots of garbage is lift in GA. I've have two Maine stories. In 2004, I was hoping that I could make it through the 100 mile wilderness before my filter completely failed. I met Rambunny who had just found a brand new one on the trail and was tired fo carrying it.

This year, I found this plastic container tied to a tree.
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=9349&c=528

It appears to be cigars, but is labeled S.W.I.F.T. Do any of this years hikers know him and what S.W.I.F.T. stands for? ;)

Those WERE my cigars! I dropped them in Maine last year! I saw you had posted the picture of them on here and later got this message on my journal:

<TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top>Name: </TD><TD>Matt McKinney Email Recorded</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>From: </TD><TD>State College, PA</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Message: </TD><TD>Hi SWIFT, Wanted you to know that you "forgot something on the trail." Imagine that! I found a circular plastic container with your initials on it...and to my surprise it was the best find on the trail yet. You left your Swisher Sweets Wood Tipped Cigars right off the trail in Central Maine. I must apoligize, they all went up in a series of small arson flames, but rest assured that they were much enjoyed. I hope you finished well and thanks for the "best trail magic" ever, even if it was by accident! I am now in Millinocket awaiting my parents to arrive, so I can finish the last 5 miles of the trail with them! Take Care & we'll have to meet up for a hike someday! Your friend, Matt "Spicy" Mckinney </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Website: </TD><TD>www.trailjournals.com/spicy (http://www.trailjournals.com/www.trailjournals.com/spicy) </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Got Here: </TD><TD>A Friend </TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top>Date: </TD><TD>Sep 25 2005 10:13AM </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>



Just living up to the trail name I guess.

swift
04-24-2006, 16:38
Is this your SWIFT? http://www.trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?trailname=2748

I met him in TN last year, we stayed overnight at a couple of the same places.

Specifically, Overmountain shelter. <waving!>