Hiking and Camping Experience Summary

Introduction

• The speaker and their brother Jason moved to Colorado for mountain access.
• They share rent for a townhome near Denver, close to hiking and camping trails.

Crowded Trails

• Nearby trails are very popular among locals and tourists, making solitude hard to find.
• Decided to plan a 3-day backpacking trip to escape crowds.

Day 1: Backpacking Trip

• Hike of 8 miles, mostly flat until the last couple of miles which were uphill.
• Reached a campsite with a stunning view 3/4 the way up the mountain during sunset.
• Built a fire and engaged in conversation for about two hours.

Encounter with Suspicious Man

• A man approached the campsite, claiming to be a park ranger.
• He said the section was closed and ordered them to leave immediately.
• Doubts about his identity arose as he wore no headlamp, and they had permits.
• Despite their hesitation, Jason insisted on staying, and the man left with an eerie grin.
• They spent a sleepless night, worried about the man’s intentions.

Aftermath of Encounter

• When they returned to the trailhead, the dusty SUV was still parked, raising concerns about another hiker's fate.
• Reported the incident to the police, but no action was taken.
• Concluded the man must have been up to something nefarious.

Personal Camping Experience

• The speaker camped alone after college due to scheduling issues with friends.
• Chose a remote campground known to be less crowded.

Encounter with Mysterious Man

• A man appeared without camping gear, raising suspicion but initially dismissed.
• Later, at night, the speaker noticed the man standing silently nearby their tent.
• The man seemed to be staring for an unsettling 15 minutes before walking away.
• Speaker felt relieved but troubled by the eerie encounter, leading to avoidance of camping in the future.

Final Incident in the Backcountry

• Spent a weekend camping near a lake, planning to stay a few nights.
• Upon returning from fishing, noticed another tent without seeing anyone around.

Encounter with Multiple Men

• Four men approached the campsite, silent and straight-faced.
• They began searching through the speaker's belongings while pushing him away from the campfire.
• The speaker felt an overwhelming sense of danger.
• Took off running when one man reached for something, successfully escaping to the car.
• Reported the incident to the police, but most belongings were stolen, and no leads on the attackers.

Conclusion

• The speaker's camping experiences turned frightening, leading to a decision to cease solo camping due to safety concerns.