I have been spotted by far more more cougars that I have ever noticed. A new born colt we met on an early trip to Babo became the first one raised to maturity by the rancher living just below the east face. I have noticed tracks of large felines covering mine on descents, but I have never seen a mountain lion in the wild, not even once - bears and bobcats, yes, but not a single pussy cat....

Twice, once on top of the white mountians of ca, watching several deer when 2 split off and bolted to the open low sage. I then saw the tail and was so focused on it before I realized it was a lion about to get the fawn. The second one was backpacking Nevada beboping along when I saw something bolt in my peripheral. A second later I heard a noise I can't describe. I looked up and 75 yards ahead was a lion. I about crapped myself. Never been so scared. I grabbed 2 rocks near by and slammed them together and tossed one half heartedly towards the cat, but it was already on the move. I stayed still and yelled for my mother-in-law who was behind me. Once she caught up we went to the tracks and looked over the edge a few yards off and there was 6 or so deer feeding. So I figure I messed up the cats hunt and it hissed at me ran off and I was one lucky sob that day!!!

I heard about this video yesterday and I suspect this kid knows exactly how you felt....

I have seen one mountain lion (couger, catamount), turned a sharp corner on the AT in Shenandoah and he/she was about twenty yards away. Was so surprised I didn't remember not to look it in the eye, but it was gone in seconds. Beautiful critter! They are very rare these days in the east, even in areas they once frequented. Like others, I've seen quite a few bobcats and some bear, but almost always as a bit of fur, going very fast the other way. They've never worried me (though I am very careful with food).

As for noises outside, I don't use a tent, but still have the rustling problem. Typically I do not sleep all that well the first couple of nights out. But I've noticed that the longer I'm out the smaller the likely source of those noises seems to be. The first night, they are moose or bear, by the third or fourth night, field mice seem more likely. Never felt the need to actually do anything about it. Once in a while when it really bugs me I'll pound the ground and yell, but any effect is momentary.

best, jcp