Ride Day #10 - Airdrie to Drumheller

What was it that attacked the tent? We had a solid ride from Airdrie to Drumheller, and were in need of some good rest. The campsite was serene, and promised a peaceful sleep, and it was - until about 12:45am...I awoke with a start to a twang of the tent string near my head. I immediately knew it was intentional, and personal - not the wind. My first thought was that it was a person - so I was wide awake instantly. But then there was a snap at my feet, a quick tug of my sleeping bag at my feet - in the tent! I sat up with a start and saw the shadow of some kind of animal pacing back and forth outside the tent, and I realised the tent had already been ripped open. The animal had another go at getting in the corner of our tent. I couldn't see it, but grabbed the top bag to Judah's bike, and started hammering at the gap yelling 'Get lost!' At this point, Judah awoke and - to my great pride - started to arm himself with a knife and bear spray! The animal had yet another go, and I hammered away again with his bike bag, swinging in the dark. Whatever it was, it didn't make a sound. After it was clear it was gone, Judah and I emerged from the tent ready for war, to find bags we had in the tent six feet away. There was no food, but we thing our water bottles - which have carb powder in them - may have attracted. I think it was a fox. Judah thinks a cayote. One old wise local at a diner suspected a small mountain cat. Whatever it was, it was very fast, sharp, and persistent! Given the dinosaur legacy of Drumheller, I think we best assume it was a Velociraptor we successfully repelled...Read more