Day Three

Crackling embers awaken the morning senses with warmth to cold feet, and the dry smells of smoke. Bill grabbed a blackened branch and prodded the grey soot, stoking the embers to flame. A crisp morning breeze billowed smoke skywards in a tempest of ash.

“Good morning,” Jim called out lazily as he exited the tent. Bill replied in kind, not taking his eyes off the glowing embers. Jim sat across the fire pit from Bill and sat in silence.
After three days in the wilderness, the silence of companionship comes with a new kind of familiarity. One of shared purpose. The pair prepared breakfast together with few words between them, and sat silently by the newly stoked fire as they ate.

“I’m thinking we should head on over to Twin Springs today,” Bill said, “I hear a lot of good things about that spot.”

“Yeah, that sounds like a plan,” Jim replied. “My friend Don brought home a seven-point bull from up there.”

The two companions were in the midst putting together their gear for the day. It was important to pack light, as they had to hike in a good seven or eight miles. They each brought along a bladder of water, and packs of snack food. When in the wilderness, you can’t run out of fuel or you’re dead. They each brought along a rifle, bear deterrent pepper spray, and a package of ammo.

After securing their campsite, killing the fire, and fastening their food in a tree, the pair set off eastward through the valley following the bank of the river as it snaked through the hills. The morning sun colored the crests with the colors of autumn mixed with the deep shades of the evergreens.

“You eat like a girl.” Jim was teasing Bill while they sat together eating their mid-day meal. “I’m not sure if you’re biting your food or tickling it with your teeth!”

“Excuse me for not unhinging my jaw and swallowing it whole, jackass!” Bill shot back.

“Shut up! I’ve been done eating half an hour ago, and you’re not half way through.”

Bill rolled his eyes and took another bite.

“Don’t worry, Bill,” Jim laughed, “it’s just a sandwich, it doesn’t have feelings.”

Twin Springs was tucked away in a gorge on the northern hillside overlooking the valley. As the name would imply, there were two springs feeding into a the river downstream. The hills surrounding the springs were thick with evergreen trees. Elk, deer and moose would often be found around the springs searching for water. This natural attraction is what made the area a destination for hunters.

Bill and Jim decided to move up the hillside as they grew closer to where the springs fed into the river below. They would use the cover provided by the trees on the hillside to move into the area discretely. Jim would take the higher ground about twenty yards beyond Bill as they quietly moved through the forest.

Step by step, Bill made his way through the undergrowth slowly, not wanting to draw attention to himself. He thought he had seen something up the hill ahead. The dry pine needles on the ground crunched with each step. He looked around to see if he could spot Jim’s orange vest through the trees. Nothing. Not even a sound could be heard except the occasional branch bending in the breeze. He crept forward still, carefully.

“Run! Run! Run!” Jim came barreling down the hillside towards Bill yelling, “Get out of here!”

Bill was stunned.

“What happened?!”

“Just go!” Jim yell, turning briefly before continuing his descent.

Bill couldn’t make sense of the situation. Why was Jim so terrified? But before he could gather his whits, he saw it. A massive figure came into view. It had deep brown coat like a young elk, yet it stood upright with thick legs.

“Bill! Run!” Jim yelled from down the hill.

A sapling snapped like a starting pistol feet from where Bill stood frozen in fear. With a quick turn, he began running.

He knew not to run from bears, but something about what he saw made him think this was no ordinary bear. He could hear the heavy steps behind him. While his legs pumped, he reached for his pepper spray.

Up ahead, a felled pine crossed Bill’s downhill trajectory. He leaped over it and turned to spray his pursuer. He was not prepared for what he saw. A giant face with jet black eyes, a barrel chest covered in thick hair, and massive arms with strong hands. This was no bear.

A shot rang out from behind him, echoing through the valley. The giant ape fell to the ground.

“Let’s go!” Jim grabbed Bill by the arm. “Get up!”

Bill ran and ran alongside Jim through the valley away from that place. They ran like they’ve never run before. This was one trip they would never forget.