Bushwhacking Tradegy - Trip Report - Part 12

1. Bushwhacking Tradegy - Trip Report - Part 12 Time 2008-05-29 18:42
Next: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8GLD8...I awoke a few times during the night and heard something small rustling nearby as well as some grunting and cackling in the not-so-far distance. A grouse produced its distinct mating call; a sound like an old Briggs & Stratton engine starting up but then running out of gas. Several other noises, that I could not identify, presented themselves to my groggy state and made me wonder what could be producing them. I was dead to the work with weariness and was not afraid even when I thought I could hear chewing and what I thought was breathing nearby somewhere. The owls of this area, at least I presumed they were owls, had an uncanny human-like quality to their early morning hootings.The light of the morning was my curtain-call; the part that I was to play in today's unfolding all-to-real drama was to begin again. I opened my eyes wishing to see the familiar painted ceiling of my room back in civilization, realizing that the last two day's events had been but a dream, but instead was greeted by something very different indeed. As my eyes adjusted to the dim morning light filtering through the thick canopy above, the light and my haziness dissipated, and I became aware of something very close to my face that I could not focus on without my reading glasses. I soon realized that a very large and wicked-looking spider had chosen the space immediately above my face, perhaps to take advantage of the heat emanating upwards, to build her web and was now hovering a mere inch or so above the skin of my face. Not being one that is intensely afraid of spiders, I still did not like to touch them nor be in such close proximity to them; spiders did make me feel uncomfortable and brought out the some sort of mild primeval fear that is common among us squeamish people. This one, with its very large abdomen and short but gangly legs, was particularly offensive in nature; not at all like those little cute guys that run around quickly in the corners of windows catching irritating flies for us. This spider was so close to my face that I could not even turn away for fear of contacting the web and alerting the builder to my presence and provoking an attack. Finally I was able to wriggle my hands from within my down-filled cocoon and carefully sweep away the vicious looking miniscule predator. How could something so small instil such a large amount of fear in us?The instant I removed the spider from its too close proximity I frantically shed my warm sleeping bag, jumped up and proceeded to squirm and shake like I was enduring an epileptic fit. The hair on the back of my neck tingled and goose bumps were everywhere. Beads of sweat ran down my forehead and into my eyes, stinging them. The spider was able to invoke a rude awakening in me that morning so very long ago and I mention it not for sensationalism but to merely convey the state of my mind at the start of what was sure to be a very, very long day.It was a careful balancing act; spending time and effort searching for Sally downstream but save enough of myself for helping those who were known to be still alive upstream. I was still unsure how, or why, much of this responsibility had fallen onto my shoulders. It was also interesting to note whom I was more concerned about, more worried about. Most of the people involved were virtual strangers to me but hardship can make comrades quickly. I knew Jill before this adventure started and knew she could take care of herself. She was an athletic and attractive woman, but somehow presented herself as utilitarian to me. The rest of the group I had just met on the outset of this bushwhack, only a couple of days ago but now seemed much, much longer. Strangely enough, it was Becky who I was concerned about the most.It was about noon as I lucked onto a fairly lengthy sandy gravel bar where the creek splayed out into a wide but still swift-moving expanse; it was a distinct relief from the slow-going salal-infested shoreline and I was able to make some good time here. Near to the end of the gravel bar was where I discovered something that confused and bewildered me; human footprints in the sand. Animal footprints were plentiful in the mud, sand or gravel that I came across from time to time, but boot prints! Here? I couldn't believe it. It appeared that there were two people moving downstream and one set up prints heading upstream some time later, judging from the overlap. I couldn't tell if there were three people involved as the heavy rains had distorted this very important information.Next: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a8GLD8...Part One: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIqB7p...Read Complete Story: http://www.clubtread.com/sforum/topic...
Tag: »bag »cackling »call »civilization »drama »dream »epileptic »fit »grunting »mating »owl »poisonous »predator »sleeping »spider »woman
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