Five gunshots. This morning, Karen, Gro and I were hiking up Tibbetts Mountain above Cashmere. We panicked at gunshots above us. Were they shooting at us? Shooting over our heads?
"HEY!" we yelled. "STOP SHOOTING!" I loudly blew my whistle. We halted, anxiously listening and scanning for the shooters. On the hillside above, Karen spotted two men with a white dog. Another gunshot rang out, this time on the far side of the hill.
Gro called 911. A Chelan County Deputy called back. He said it was legal to shoot guns in Hay Canyon, but not if they were shooting at us, or over our heads. "Hay Canyon is known for shooting," the deputy said.
I wanted to turn around. Gro and Karen felt it was okay to keep going. "They are heading away from us," Karen said. I felt terrified. We continued hiking, constantly scanning the hillside for men with guns. Turning, we headed away from the shooters and up a different ridge.
We ran into the shooters at the trailhead. They were two young guys, who looked like extras from the "Deliverance" movie. "We were shooting at branches, aiming at the tips for practice," one man explained. "We didn't know that," I replied. "It was terrifying. Did you hear us yelling?" They did.
I told Karen and Gro I don't want to hike in Hay Canyon or Tibbetts Mountain anymore. Each time, we have been frightened by gunshots and men jumping out of trucks waving guns.
Comments
solohiker on Tibbetts Mountain
I saw your picture and I thought this hike looks perfect for me for tomorrow, then I read the trip report and decided against it. Thanks!
Posted by:
solohiker on Mar 01, 2018 06:35 PM
LiterateHiker on Tibbetts Mountain
You're welcome. Please spread the word. There needs to be a sign that says "Active shooters- UNSAFE."
Posted by:
LiterateHiker on Mar 08, 2018 09:12 PM