reallife
MAN LIVES A
LO
FOR
YEARS
HIS LIVING
QUARTERS
This tiny clearing
housed Christopher
and his belongings,
which included some
clothes, sleeping
bags, coolers and
cooking gear.BEFORE
HE
VANISHED
Christopher (in
his 1984 high
school yearbook
photo) has been
described by
former class-
mates as “quiet,
shy and nerdy.”
During his
senior year, he
took a hunter
safety and
outdoor skills
class, where
he learned how
to construct
a makeshift
shelter and read
a compass.How one man survived
nearly three decades
in the wilderness
R
esidents in the sleepy
town of Rome, Maine,
were scared. For years,
someone had been break-
ing into their homes and steal-
ing things. But instead of taking
valuables like jewelry, the thief
was grabbing jars of peanut butter.
Other hot items included batteries,
books, clothing, fl ashlights, even
steaks. “The robberies became local
legend,” says Michael Finkel, author
of the new book The Stranger in the
Wo od s. “Like, ‘Oh yeah, the North
Pond Hermit has been by.’ ”