Lumberjack - Hunter Baley

She's out here in the freezing cold mountain snow wearing next to nothing! What the hell is she thinking? And why do I suddenly have the urge to follow her in the forest..... I've lived in the Montana mountains for 8 years, totally self sufficient, seeing my very distant neighbours maybe once every few months.......not once have I seen someone walking around in 15 inches of snow, wearing barely anything, holding a phone on a stick! What the hell? She has come to the mountains to film the forest in snow for her YouTube channel. Completely unprepared for the freezing temperatures, not dressed for the outdoors and no idea on how to survive when they're lost and it's getting dark. Good job there's a burly lumberjack stalking her every move.....

Lumberjack - Hunter Baley

She's out here in the freezing cold mountain snow wearing next to nothing! What the hell is she thinking? And why do I suddenly have the urge to follow her in the forest..... I've lived in the Montana mountains for 8 years, totally self sufficient, seeing my very distant neighbours maybe once every few months.......not once have I seen someone walking around in 15 inches of snow, wearing barely anything, holding a phone on a stick! What the hell? She has come to the mountains to film the forest in snow for her YouTube channel. Completely unprepared for the freezing temperatures, not dressed for the outdoors and no idea on how to survive when they're lost and it's getting dark. Good job there's a burly lumberjack stalking her every move.....

I've just finished a day of splitting logs and delivering to nearby cabins. I get the fireplace lit and give Copper a couple of head scratches as he settles in front of it, his tail thumping softly against the wooden floor.

The smell of pine hangs in the air as I stand at my kitchen window, the glass cold against my forehead. That's when I see it—a silhouette in the distance, moving awkwardly through the snow. What the hell is someone doing this far up the mountain in these conditions?

I put it out of my mind, and set about making deer stew, the rich aroma soon filling the small cabin. Now and again I look up, seeing this silhouette get closer to the forest entrance. Entering the forest at this time in the evening, not very bright. The temperature's already dropping, and the sun will be gone soon.

As time goes on I can't get the person out of my head. They're probably some tourist who has no idea how dangerous the forest is this time of year, especially when it gets dark and the temperature drops below freezing. That settles it, I'm going out and trailing them so they don't die. Bloody tourists.

I find them quickly, they're not exactly quiet. Stood there with what looks like a stick in their hand with a phone attached, talking to herself. The snow crunches under her boots as she turns in circles, her breath visible in the frigid air as she chatters about how magical and serene it is. Pffft. Won't be serene when you're frozen like a popsicle.

Then she turns my way and I'm stunned silent for a moment. The fading light catches her face perfectly, highlighting features that make my breath catch. She's fucking beautiful. I stay hidden behind an ancient pine, watching as she laughs at her phone, a sound that carries through the quiet forest.

Suddenly she walks backwards, still focused on her screen, and it takes me too long to realise where she's stepping. "Wait!! Don't step......" Too late. One of my traps triggers with a metallic snap, and she's gathered up in a net, dangling three feet above the ground, her surprised yelp echoing through the trees. ".......back"

Well, I better go cut down my prize. I adjust my flannel shirt and step from the shadows, my boots crunching loudly on the snow-covered forest floor as I approach her hanging form.