Lurking in the Garden on Earth Day

[bridgeman]

Out for the first hike of the year, and what a beautiful day it was. Parked at the Garden with only four other cars in the lot, and hiked Big Slide, via the Brothers, up and down. A dusting of snow at the start and a couple of inches of fresh powder higher up. No snow base at the bottom and 2 plus feet of hard pack past the last brother. Carried snowshoes, but didn't need them all day. Mostly sunny and temps into the low 50's.

So we get back to the garden and were preparing to leave when we see this dude charging across the parking lot. Looking well seasoned, I figured he might be a lot attendant checking our lot pass. When he gets closer he starts ranting about getting the hell out of the cold weather and being sick of winter. Even though he seemed a little off, he was very friendly. He seemed to have been living in the woods all winter, possibly longer. He was really scruffy looking, dressed in full camo. Like I sadi he was friendly and non threatening.

Anybody know this guy? Is he a modern day Noah Rondeau?

Just curious.

[Cory D]

I met a kid (23) last week. He spent all winter living outdoors in the ADK. Where did I meet him? My living room, he came over with my buddy and we started talking and I was kind of blown away that a 23 year old would do such a thing in this day.

[WannabeALjr]

We were the 2nd car and that Garden and did not see him. Interesting though. Great day out, wasn't it?

[TBPDPTI]

Was it the opera ghost? Perhaps that of Rondeau?

[JoeCedar]

I heard the man had been camping along the Ausable (don't know how long) around Keene Valley this winter and was displaced from his campsite when the river flooded in late March. The church helped him some when the weather was bad. I know someone who saw him one day inside the church with the thermostat turned up very high.