The Encounter on Mount Rogers
Posted on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009
(Nearing the highest point in Virginia.)
I doubt that I am the only one who does it, but I never really asked to be sure. So, I am going out on a limb here, and risking being known as a big wimp by individuals across the country. When I am hiking, I have the tendency to think that most every sound I hear is one of two animals: 1) a bear, or 2) a mountain lion.
I say most every sound, because let’s face it: It’s hard to mistake the chirp of the chickadee as a bear. I haven’t had a run-in with either predator yet, so I am not really sure why I do this. It could be movies; it could be too many Backpacker magazine articles; who knows? There, I said it, it’s out there. If you are going to laugh at me, please do it behind my back.
My love for the outdoors still is strong, though, so I often man up and go hiking anyway. On my most recent hiking trip, I found myself wandering up Mount Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. It was to be my eighth high point completed, and involved the most walking of any high point climbed so far. The walk up is about 4.5 miles, so it’s not hard, unless you compare it the other peaks I have scaled. As I followed the AT near the summit, I was careful to watch for the small fork that kicks off to the actual high point. I found the trail, started the hike up, and as I was nearing the summit, I heard a sound that had to be a mountain lion. I knew it was all over, and seven high points would be all I ever completed.
Now, if I stopped right here and made you all guess what animal I saw as I came out of the thicket, I am guessing most of you probably wouldn’t come close. It was certainly the weirdest animal I have ever seen in the wild. It was a herd of miniature ponies. That’s right, it was straight out of a Disney movie where I next expected some prince would ride in, say something cool, and the ponies would prance off into the sunset.
(The mighty steeds graze with the Blue Ridge Mountains in the background.)
Of course the next thing I wanted to do was jump on one and ride it, because that would only make perfect sense, am I wrong? At the same time, I didn’t earn my pony merit badge, and who’s to say these things are not aggressive. I admit, all logic argues against ponies attacking hikers, but maybe they are like pandas?
I decided to keep my distance and let them do whatever it is ponies do when they are not prancing toward sunsets. I later learned there is an association that cares for them (where do you sign up, I know!), and they are believed to have been left by the miners back in the day. So, if you are ever climbing Mount Rogers, beware of the ponies. I can’t believe I just said that.
Mark Zimmer is climbing to the highest point in all 50 states to raise awareness and money for Alzheimer’s research. Follow his progress here.
I’ve met those ponies and they are not aggressive … unless you feed them, then they will NOT leave you alone ;-P
It’s a beautiful area and the ponies are cool, just don’t let them eat your pack!
When I am in the woods, and I hear an animal, I am just like you. I think it’s the worst animal it could be. Usually it’s just a turkey or whatever. But still…