I expected it to be a while before any hikers appeared near the TundraCam on Niwot Ridge. After all, mountain trails in June tend to be pretty wet and squishy with the spring runoff in full roar. But I glanced at the webcam a few minutes ago and was surprised to see two hikers and their dog making their way up the hill toward the research station. Someone else was operating the camera, but luckily for me, they too were interested in watching the hikers.
Now, for the mystery writers in the audience, here’s something to chew on: A man and a woman came up the trail. They were seen standing together at the far end of the hut. When the camera was panned around to the other side of the hut, only the man was visible, walking away with the dog. I’m guessing the woman entered the hut, but who knows?
My theory is that she’s a student or scientist doing research at the station and the man was escorting her to the lab. He’ll return for her later in the day, or perhaps in a few days. The unknown person watching them with such interest may well have been a colleague watching to see that she made it safely … but it could have been anyone …
Hmm …
Oh, of course, the first thing I think of is aliens (meaning, the man is an alien-slave and he delivered the woman to our secret alien overlords that will soon take over the planet).
Or maybe she went in to use the bathroom.
LOL! I hadn’t thought of either of those.
Could she be a techo of some kind ?
I’m not familiar with the term “techo.” Couldn’t find anything definitive. If you mean “techie,” I’d say more likely than not, especially this close to Boulder and a research station. If you mean something else, I’m at a loss.
… what couldn’t be captured in the camera frame was the ‘mother ship’ making a stop at Niwat, having just left Devil’s Tower with new recruits. So we wonder if the high plains/front range area is onn a commuter line for that alien transporter…. hmmmmmmmm 🙂
Logical. High elevations, relatively remote locations. Better to avoid detection. I like it!
MY first thought was a pitt stop (restroom)… 🙄
Probably the most realistic guess. There’s a shortage of those up there, and undoubtedly one in the hut (assuming she had a key). But wouldn’t her companion wait for her?
Maybe he’s going back to get toilet paper… 😕
LOL. He didn’t go back the way they’d come. But maybe he knew a shortcut. It was an emergency, after all.
Does that dog have on booties? – ground’s still cold there – animal abuse!
Seriously how odd….remember that movie “Rear Window”? Probably just research trip…dogs are supposed to be a good judge of people….
These folks were wearing serious hiking boots, heavy socks, etc.. They are knowledgeable and comfortable in the mountains. No doubt the dog is too, with toughened paws, etc. And I do think it most likely that she stopped at the lab to do a little work. Still, one could start all sorts of novels with this scenario …
And there you go….(if only I had the focus to do that…)