YEAR: 2002

SEASON: Winter

MONTH: December

DATE: 12/07/2002

STATE: North Carolina

COUNTY: Macon County

LOCATION DETAILS: [Details removed at request of witness]

NEAREST TOWN: Franklin

NEAREST ROAD: Old Hwy 64

OBSERVED: It was the first week of December 2002. I was camping with my friend [edited], in Macon County, North Carolina.

We had been there 2 days. We decided to take one of our usual late night walks. Because of the weather we were one of only three sites occupied. There was an icestorm on the way and we were planning to leave early the next morning. We had crossed the river and walked about 200 yards to the gates when we were startled by a scream that made the hair on my neck stand up.

I have spent my entire life in the outdoors, much of it in wilderness areas and I have never heard anything like this in my life. I was carrying my sidearm and immediately drew it and aimed my maglite in the direction of the scream. The next thing we knew,several rocks were thrown in our direction. TO say we were frightened would be an understatement. We went back to camp and left early the next morning. Since then we have returned several times, but there have been no further incidents, although we sometimes feel uneasy in one particular area.

ALSO NOTICED: rocks thrown

OTHER WITNESSES: Myself and my friend, walking quietly

TIME AND CONDITIONS: near midnight, moonless icy

ENVIRONMENT: Mountainous numerous streams and rivers very rugged area near the Appalachian Trail. Limited acess, few roads

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator :Leevon Patrick:

He and his friend were camping in a remote area at 3160 feet.

Both the Nantahala River and Kismet Creek run nearby which yield several varieties of trout. Hemlocks and rhododendrons cover the area as well. There were a few others there during their two nights but they had been trickling out due to inclement weather.

During their midnight walk, the witness and his friend had noticed a horrible smell thinking it was a dead animal. Moments later, they heard the scream. The scream came from about 100 yards from where they were walking and only lasted a few seconds. He said it was similar to the Ohio howl but was more shrill. Three to five seconds later, six "fist sized" rocks were thrown at them and landed around them. The rocks came from the direction of the scream. The witness and his friend were armed and had a flashlight. They noticed no other movement or strange sounds the remainder of the evening. The next morning they left the area.

The following May they returned and hiked around and noticed a particular area that made them feel uneasy. They noticed matted down brush as though a large animal had bedded down there previously.

The witness currently resides in Florida and is a carpenter by profession. He is an avid hiker and backpacker.

About BFRO Investigator :Leevon Patrick:

Patty Lee (photo) lives in Lake County, Florida.

• B.A. in Fine Arts from the University of Colorado
  
• Certified Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (WEMT)
• Traveled and camped extensively in Canada, Alaska, and Lower 48
• Former manager of a high end climbing and wilderness outfitting retailer in Virginia
• Organized the BFRO's November 2007 expedition in South Carolina

Patty attended the following BFRO expeditions:

• 2006 Central Florida (Lake County)
• 2006 Ohio (Columbiana County)
• 2006 Wisconsin (Price County)
• 2006 New York (Washington County)
• 2006 North Carolina (Madison County)
• 2006 West Virginia (Pocahontas County)
• 2007 Florida Expedition