Theft on the AT in the GSMNP – 10/26 – Campsite 113

[two pints]

Heads up to all hiking 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

 

Venus from Shuckstack Firetower

[Bill in Roswell]

So sorry that happened too you! 113 is a popular spot. A vagabond pseudo homeless could raid it easily via Lost Cove Trail which goes down into some low use areas north of Lakeshore Tr. Backcountry rangers would be notified to scout the area. Those guys are rarely seen but they see a lot. GSMNP doesn’t tell the public of their presence. A bud of mine got the crap scared out by a ranger while he was camping via a rare backcountry permit. The ranger of course thought my bud was illegaly camping, but was friendly after seeing the permit.

[two pints]

Oi, Lost Cove is dang steep.  And so is the trail up from Fontana.  It takes a bit of gumption just to get to 113.  But even hiking in from Twentymile or Parsons Branch are long and circuitous.  It just seems so odd.  I guess I would expect this kind of thing to happen more often closer to a road.

Stealing from the bear lines at a very remote campsite quietly in the middle of the night at one of the few backcountry campsites where the lines aren’t right next to the tenting areas….  it seems to indicate somebody who is familiar with the GSMNP as opposed to someone who was meandering along the trail and stumbled into some food.  A trail savvy homeless/vagabond seems to be the culprit to me.

Ah well, hopefully this information helps the park find the culprit and keep others from having their food bag stolen on day 1 of their trips.

[Ben C]

Great morning view from Shuckstack. Thanks for sharing. I’ve watched the sun go down on Rocky Top too; it is a wonderful view.

[HkNewman]

It happens for food (bags, even bear canisters) …  but also a heads up that small towns along major highways may have thieving meth-heads.   A forestry worker told me, while discussing a PCT attempt, to watch gear in these smaller towns like they’ve got to watch tools.  Seen it happen while a couple hikers were recharging from a public bathroom or heard about it, to the point where a nogoodnik slit a tent open to steal a camera while the hikers were enjoying a public swimming hole w/vehicle access (Deep Creek in CA fwiw).

[Brad Rogers]

Nice sunrise shots.    I’m sorry that you experianced theft – I certainly hate a theif, but am surprised you had problems in that area (that wasn’t a bear – CS#113 is famous for them).  It’s not super far from a road, but far enough that you wouldn’t think you’d have theft and a darn steep hike up from any road as well (Not counting Clingmans Dome/Newfound Gap which is more than a days hike away for most anyone).

[jscott]

Corn don’t grow to well on Rocky Top;

soils too rocky by far!

That’s why all the folks on Rocky Top

get their corn from a jar.

Good Ol’ rocky top!

Rocky Top Tennessee!

[obx hiker]

Rocky Top Where?

 

[Russ W]

You go OBX!

[two pints]

The song’s writers never exactly identified what they were referring to.  But the lyrics seem to refer to a region, not a specific peak.

There is a town called Rocky Top in Tennessee, but it was named after the song.

And I’m an expert because I read a wikipedia article on it last year….  ;-)

[Brad Rogers]

[Brad Rogers]

View from Rocky Top (looking SE I believe)

[two pints]

We had some nice views of NC to the South on Rocky Top last week, but the Tennessee side of the Stateline Ridge was impenetrable mist and clouds.  This was our view looking South.

 

[two pints]

Brad, you can really see the difference in the season between your picture and mine.  Mine has a bit browner tone to the flora, and a bit clearer of a day.

[Brad Rogers]

Mine was taken in June.  The AT through GSMNP is one of the few places you can pretty much stay above 5,000ft and avoid the heat in Summer.

In all my time in the park, I’ve never stayed at #113 though.   It seems like it’s closed about half the time.

[obx hiker]

You go OBX!

Russell don’t feed the trolls! ;)

Heck we gave ’em the whole state. Now they want Rocky Top too?   ;)

Tennessee and the folks in Tennessee are the best! Great people who can take a little ribbing in good stride and pretty uniformly helpful and friendly. But it’s fun to tease them about wearing orange! It’s like teasing your little brother who has somehow or other gotten close to being your BIG brother.

Mike it’s hard to believe anyone would climb up to your campsite from the Fontana area or south to make that theft. I’m guessing a scavenger working the AT; A reverse Granny Gatewood. Instead of relying to a degree on the kindness of strangers they are lifting what they need as they go? Eventually you would get a pretty well fine-tuned kit as long as you didn’t get caught. I’ve had stuff pinched that appeared to be that sort of activity. Look out Stecoah and Cheoah or depending on when this occurred they might be further along nearer Wayah? US 64? but I’d guess headed south. Well at least there was no violence involved  :(

Stealing from the bear lines at a very remote campsite quietly in the middle of the night at one of the few backcountry campsites where the lines aren’t right next to the tenting areas….  it seems to indicate somebody who is familiar with the GSMNP as opposed to someone who was meandering along the trail and stumbled into some food.

I’m guessing more just seeing and taking advantage of an opportunity; though they might have recognised it and lain in wait and along came your group. Or maybe it was Eric Rudolph

[Brett A]

What an amazing stretch of trail.  I too had reservations for 113 on a section hike in 2015 but it got closed two days prior after a bear tore into two girls’ tent.  They ended hiking back out to Fontana in the middle of the night.  I’ve never had an issue like you describe anywhere in the park though it seems there are reports every year of such thievery.  Squaters are an issue along much of the AT but I can’t imagine that being a problem in the park.  A wayward opportunist no doubt.  Hope you get your stuff back.

Shuckstack

View from Shuckstack

Up near Rocky Top

Wish I could take pictures like ya all!

[two pints]

An update.  A ranger contacted me today to ask further details of the incident described in the original post.  Apparently they have had further reports of problems in the area.  If you are in/around the Smokies, please keep your eyes peeled and a close watch on your stuff.

[Jeffs Eleven]

To be fair the girls were touching their hair whist smiling at the bear. He thought it was the signal

[two pints]

A post over at whiteblaze.net from “No Match” indicates that he saw somebody that was obviously a “homeless/vagrant” at the entrance to campsite 113 with a dog.  Said person was handing out mushrooms from a bag, and had no gear with them.

[obx hiker]

strange times. If the last couple nights didn’t run him out he’s got a good shelter and a warm bag.

[two pints]

I’d guess he has a stealth camp somewhere in the area.

[obx hiker]

Somewhere in here I’d guess and near water. Got to have water, some sort of not too distant trail access, and not too distant access to the outer world; as well as not too far from or too much of a climb to 113. A ranger with a dog could cover this in a couple of days. Could also set some ‘game’ cameras. Won’t take long.

I understand that you didn’t enjoy your encounter with this individual and the whole thing is creepy but otoh I almost feel sorry for the person. Pretty much ALL these people have drug/addiction issues; often alcohol, and usually on top of other psychological disorders (which they are self-medicating). Obviously they do not also have the supporting family structure. There used to be institutions for these people but now they are pretty much on their own. BTW I guess I should clarify that an AT troll is one thing; sort of a version of a con artist/parasite/scavenger and a type I don’t have a lot of sympathy for; but someone who is actually hanging out in that area would seem to me to be pretty desperate on some level.

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