[at-l] Tell me your troubles...

[ept@bellsouth.net (Merlin)]

goinggoinggone@webtv.net wrote (in part):

>
> While we're on the subject, what is the most interesting, memorable or
> riveting sight that anyone has seen while engaged in post hole-digging
> activities. I'm guessing that I've had the most attention-focusing
> encounter, but maybe someone else has an interesting story too.
>
> Alejandro
>

In this case I was the sight rather than the digger.  I was northbound in
North Carolina off of Albert Mountain, past Big Spring, and toward Rock Gap
where my 3-day loop would end.  I was light and bouncing and well-oiled, and
more importantly going Downhill.  (Downhill should always be reverently
Capitalized, don't you think?)  I was approaching a switchback in such a way
that I could clearly see the top of what was the bank above the Trail just
past the switchback.  There on the top of the bank, no doubt hidden from the
lower Trail but clearly visible to me, was the bare butt of a guy just
finishing up with his post hole-digging activities.  I immediately surmised
that he was southbound and just had not noticed that the Trail a few feet
beyond his perch rose above the seclusion of his nearby latrine.  It
probably would have been kinder just to pass by in silence, but I was
walking - Downhill, recall - and thus did not have a care in the world, or
many inhibitions either.  As I approached the sharp bend, he dropped his
roll of toilet paper and it skittered away a few inches beyond his reach.
Constrained by trousers around the ankles he shuffled toward it awkwardly,
kind of like a duck.  Now I could not contain myself.  As I rounded the
corner in the switchback, at my closest approach to the hiker with, so to
speak, business, I called out loudly, "Howdy!"

And she screamed!  Whupps.  It was a woman.  Now around the corner of the
switchback, I resisted the temptation to look back to see why I had failed
to know it was a woman.  More importantly, why did I not THINK that it might
be a woman?  I was on the lower part of the switchback now and invisible,
and desiring to remain so, I lengthened my stride and continued down the
mountain.

In my own defense I have to say that this was many years ago, and at that
time it was very unusual to find solo women hikers, thus the assumption that
it was a man.  Also, from the angle of view that I had, ummmm, well you get
the idea.  But really I think it was just because I was going Downhill.

Next time I'll pay more attention - no, that's wrong - make more noise - no,
just keep my mouth shut and keep going Downhill.

---

By the way, since Felix did not do his duty and respond to the "post
hole-digging" phrase, I will step in and say that I think post-hole diggers
would be fine additions to the packs of those really environmentally
concerned.  One should fit right where the ice ax is supposed to go.  And we
have another addition to the un-tucked pack.

Merlin