| Bear Break-ins |
Basin Cabin Log Entries
Spring 2005
Just came out of hibernation. Boy, was I famished. It’s awful nice of you folks to leave this cabin stocked for me.
I took my time scavenging. Most of the food was great, but the Clorox gave me the grizzles. That passed through
my system pretty fast; sorry about the walls. Things cleared up fast and soon there was no need to wipe my
butt…it came prewrapped due to those fine Balance Gold bars you left. The fire shelter was a hair more difficult to
pass, but with a little straining, I returned it for you. I tried to cache a little extra out back, but then I had to share
the loot, so I tried to keep the majority inside. I have to admit that I have a slight sweet tooth, so I savored the
honey and maple syrup under the spruce tree behind the cabin. I tried out the bed, but the springs weren’t quite to
my liking. I conditioned my winter-weakened muscles by benching the stove. Worked quite well If I do say so
myself. I found plenty of interesting toys to toss around, stomp on, and nibble on. I spent quite some time here as I
found a great view overlooking the creek just upstream. Hope you re-supply soon; heavy on the maple syrup,
honey, Balance bars and Kool-aid. Oh by the way, you’re out of coffee. Sorry about the pot.
Yours gratefully,
Bloody Paws
P.S. Next time, lose the nail pads.
May 25, 2005
Does a bear shit in the woods? Obviously not. Fortunately, he has moved on to cleaner digs, most likely waiting
for re-supply and maid service. I thought Jessie was messy but she doesn’t hold a candle to this guy. At least she
doesn’t crap in her room. However, they both subscribe to the “everything in the middle of the floor” philosophy.
Similarly, they both have a sweet tooth, but thankfully she unwraps her candy bars first. The wager on the way up
was whether we would be sleeping outside…an even race, but upon arrival the slave driver cracked his whip to
ensure that he had a bed to sleep on. The place was a mess. The stove tipped over, the cabinets opened and
cleaned out, the plates tossed as Frisbees, and a general sticky mess everywhere. Most of the varnish remaining on
the floor was removed with the bear crap, but the paint on the walls proved to hold better. Maybe the runs just run
off better; who knows? Not only was scat enough to mark his territory, but he also added urine to the entire scene.
Garbage was scattered about an eighth mile radius from the cabin. [Candy bar wrapper crap was also reported
clear up at Camp Creek Pass.] He wasn’t too picky; however dried beans and Clorox bleach were not to his
liking. Hopefully, the strong smell of bleach will keep him out of here for the next couple days. The horses are
much less suspicious now that the garbage is cleaned up. It’s a bummer that he didn’t destroy the leaning tower of
poopsa, then, we could have gotten a new outhouse. Eric was crushed when the bloody paw prints were removed
from the backside of the door, but Deena felt that the added “touch” might prove to be a bit much on the rookie
crew members. While some cans were missing labels they were still intact. John attempted to wipe off the bear
crap and restock the shelves, but Deena pulled rank and they were packed out. But really, who would have
known the difference if I hadn’t just told you? One can did survive though. A single, smashed but closed can of
coffee. None of us were brave enough to face John without his morning coffee. Hoping for an uneventful night with
the eyes of our 20 pound guard dog and some really “Grizzly” coffee in the morning…
John, Deena, and Amanda Shotzberger
And Eric Kroeger
Escorted by Flash, Dreamer, Sonny, Skippy, Mandy, Polly, and Zippy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message From Me
If you ever have the opportunity to use a back country cabin (especially if it is stocked with food) make sure you
close it up correctly before you leave. Basin cabin was unlocked when we got there. Most likely, it was illegally
used in the late fall or early spring by a visitor to the area. When the party left, the nail mats were not secured and
the cabin was left vulnerable. This first break in was most likely the fault of man. However, I recently heard that
Basin Cabin was broke into again, through the barb-wire clad windows. This is suspected to be the same bear that
broke in the first time and broke into Danaher cabin last fall. Shaw cabin and Pentagon Cabin on the Middle Fork
were also broke into this year. Bear break-ins happen every once in while typically. We had 5 this year. New "anti-
bear" doors are being installed on the cabins and barns.
Home > Bob Marshall > Bear Break-ins
Spring 2005
Just came out of hibernation. Boy, was I famished. It’s awful nice of you folks to leave this cabin stocked for me.
I took my time scavenging. Most of the food was great, but the Clorox gave me the grizzles. That passed through
my system pretty fast; sorry about the walls. Things cleared up fast and soon there was no need to wipe my
butt…it came prewrapped due to those fine Balance Gold bars you left. The fire shelter was a hair more difficult to
pass, but with a little straining, I returned it for you. I tried to cache a little extra out back, but then I had to share
the loot, so I tried to keep the majority inside. I have to admit that I have a slight sweet tooth, so I savored the
honey and maple syrup under the spruce tree behind the cabin. I tried out the bed, but the springs weren’t quite to
my liking. I conditioned my winter-weakened muscles by benching the stove. Worked quite well If I do say so
myself. I found plenty of interesting toys to toss around, stomp on, and nibble on. I spent quite some time here as I
found a great view overlooking the creek just upstream. Hope you re-supply soon; heavy on the maple syrup,
honey, Balance bars and Kool-aid. Oh by the way, you’re out of coffee. Sorry about the pot.
Yours gratefully,
Bloody Paws
P.S. Next time, lose the nail pads.
May 25, 2005
Does a bear shit in the woods? Obviously not. Fortunately, he has moved on to cleaner digs, most likely waiting
for re-supply and maid service. I thought Jessie was messy but she doesn’t hold a candle to this guy. At least she
doesn’t crap in her room. However, they both subscribe to the “everything in the middle of the floor” philosophy.
Similarly, they both have a sweet tooth, but thankfully she unwraps her candy bars first. The wager on the way up
was whether we would be sleeping outside…an even race, but upon arrival the slave driver cracked his whip to
ensure that he had a bed to sleep on. The place was a mess. The stove tipped over, the cabinets opened and
cleaned out, the plates tossed as Frisbees, and a general sticky mess everywhere. Most of the varnish remaining on
the floor was removed with the bear crap, but the paint on the walls proved to hold better. Maybe the runs just run
off better; who knows? Not only was scat enough to mark his territory, but he also added urine to the entire scene.
Garbage was scattered about an eighth mile radius from the cabin. [Candy bar wrapper crap was also reported
clear up at Camp Creek Pass.] He wasn’t too picky; however dried beans and Clorox bleach were not to his
liking. Hopefully, the strong smell of bleach will keep him out of here for the next couple days. The horses are
much less suspicious now that the garbage is cleaned up. It’s a bummer that he didn’t destroy the leaning tower of
poopsa, then, we could have gotten a new outhouse. Eric was crushed when the bloody paw prints were removed
from the backside of the door, but Deena felt that the added “touch” might prove to be a bit much on the rookie
crew members. While some cans were missing labels they were still intact. John attempted to wipe off the bear
crap and restock the shelves, but Deena pulled rank and they were packed out. But really, who would have
known the difference if I hadn’t just told you? One can did survive though. A single, smashed but closed can of
coffee. None of us were brave enough to face John without his morning coffee. Hoping for an uneventful night with
the eyes of our 20 pound guard dog and some really “Grizzly” coffee in the morning…
John, Deena, and Amanda Shotzberger
And Eric Kroeger
Escorted by Flash, Dreamer, Sonny, Skippy, Mandy, Polly, and Zippy
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Message From Me
If you ever have the opportunity to use a back country cabin (especially if it is stocked with food) make sure you
close it up correctly before you leave. Basin cabin was unlocked when we got there. Most likely, it was illegally
used in the late fall or early spring by a visitor to the area. When the party left, the nail mats were not secured and
the cabin was left vulnerable. This first break in was most likely the fault of man. However, I recently heard that
Basin Cabin was broke into again, through the barb-wire clad windows. This is suspected to be the same bear that
broke in the first time and broke into Danaher cabin last fall. Shaw cabin and Pentagon Cabin on the Middle Fork
were also broke into this year. Bear break-ins happen every once in while typically. We had 5 this year. New "anti-
bear" doors are being installed on the cabins and barns.
Home > Bob Marshall > Bear Break-ins
