Definitely sounds like an accidental pick-up. That's one reason (though not the primary one) that whenever I go out I place all my stuff in once compact pile, away from the general "base area" of a route, in and/or under my b/p(which usually has a dog attached, making it pretty easy for the person to realize does not belong to their group....hahahah).
It IS the primary reason I roll up my partner's rope tarp and don't leave their or my walking shoes at the base when I am seconding!
Seriously, people often have a group and one is asked "can you clean up our crap while I get the rope(or sort the rack or whatever) and that person may not be familiar with what gear belongs to their partner. And if they are a newbie out for their first time, it just doesn't occur to them that "other" people may also have their crap in the same area.
Even with that, last spring some kid packed my fleece, which was at least 5 yards away and under my backpack, along with their family gear. Luckily the mom noticed it and sent the kid back with it, or else I would have lost my beloved blue jacket!
Edited by TerrieM (07/19/10 06:04 PM)
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