Ursus Horriblus and Friends
posted by Greg @ 3:34 PM
It is potentially inaccurate to extropolate the behavior of any one bear from the behavior of most, since they are both intelligent and independent and will do what they choose to do according to mood, experience, whim. -John McPhee, "Coming into the Country"
The grizzly can be brave and sometimes downright brash. He can be secretive and very retiring. He can be extremely cunning and also powerfully aggressive. Whatever he does, his actions match his surroundings and the circumstance of the moment. No wonder that meeting him on the mountain is a momentous event, imprinted on one's mind for life. -Andy Russell, "Grizzly Country" (CITC)
Nothing like a grizzly, he said, to remind you that you were only a visitor here. And despite the nervousness, even fear, there was a certain value to that. The grizzly was as much a part of a true wilderness experience as was the sight of magnificent mountains.
-Ray Bane, quoted by Joe McGinniss in "Going to Extremes"
He spoke about those who wanted to make Alaska comfortable and predictable. If they succeeded, it wouldn't be Alaska anymore. "It's like knowing there are grizzlies around. You're not as comfortable as you would be in the Alps, where they don't have any bears, and grizzlies sure as hell are unpredictable, but withouth them, an essential ingredient of the wilderness experience would be gone."
"Agreed," I said, "but next time let's bring the shotgun."
-Joe McGinniss, responding to Ray Bane in "Going to Extremes"
Summer is well upon us, and as I wander through the mountains I think of clear streams, butterflies.... and bears.
In my trekking life I have been charged by a variety of creatures; a moose, a rhinocerous, several third world dogs, and a particularly aggressive cockroach in Fiji. Even by the Australian government once (that's another story). But I have never been charged by a bear.
Still, I have had a variety of encounters with this impressive animal. I've lost food to them on several occasions, and I've chased them from my camp by threat of both rock and bullet. At noteworthy times, bears and I have watched each other with mutual apprehension and mistrust.
Never charged by a bear, but no other animal so completely captures my mind as I wander through the woods. Well, I guess that in other parts of the world tigers have ranked right up there on the freak-me-out scale.
There are things you can do to improve your chances of a successful bear encounter:
Never hike alone. I do, when inclined.
Make noise. I do, especially in an area with minimal visibility.
Don't camp in an area with bear sign (scat, footprints, etc.). Sometimes, especially out in the wilderness, that advice just isn't feasible.
Bear bag your food. I've found that counter-balancing is most effective.
Carry pepper spray. I do, but I prefer a 12 guage when allowed.
Don't run. I don't.
Have no food or aromatic product in your tent. I usually follow this suggestion, but there have been times when I've slept with my food simply because I was too far from civilization to risk losing it.
Anyway, I am in no way offering advice here. Really, I'm not. If your 'cool job' this summer has you living in bear territory, the National Park Service will gladly offer guidelines.
Personally, I've found that when faced with an actual bear my faith in guidelines becomes a little thin. I may know what is recommended, but I'm not always convinced that this particular bear is reading from the same page.
Not wanting to make this blog tediously long, I've described three previous bear encounters on another site: www.coolworks.com/blog/greg
On a different topic, or at least one with a different spelling: They've found a new use for viagra. I know that sounds like the lead-in to a joke, but it's actually true. Some studies have shown that viagra can enhance physical ability in higher altitudes; useful for biking, climbing, etc..
If I ever give this a whirl during a mountain hike, I'll be sure that I don't find my companions the least bit attractive. Otherwise it could be a long trek. Pun intended.
What a funny world.
The grizzly can be brave and sometimes downright brash. He can be secretive and very retiring. He can be extremely cunning and also powerfully aggressive. Whatever he does, his actions match his surroundings and the circumstance of the moment. No wonder that meeting him on the mountain is a momentous event, imprinted on one's mind for life. -Andy Russell, "Grizzly Country" (CITC)
Nothing like a grizzly, he said, to remind you that you were only a visitor here. And despite the nervousness, even fear, there was a certain value to that. The grizzly was as much a part of a true wilderness experience as was the sight of magnificent mountains.
-Ray Bane, quoted by Joe McGinniss in "Going to Extremes"
He spoke about those who wanted to make Alaska comfortable and predictable. If they succeeded, it wouldn't be Alaska anymore. "It's like knowing there are grizzlies around. You're not as comfortable as you would be in the Alps, where they don't have any bears, and grizzlies sure as hell are unpredictable, but withouth them, an essential ingredient of the wilderness experience would be gone."
"Agreed," I said, "but next time let's bring the shotgun."
-Joe McGinniss, responding to Ray Bane in "Going to Extremes"
Summer is well upon us, and as I wander through the mountains I think of clear streams, butterflies.... and bears.
In my trekking life I have been charged by a variety of creatures; a moose, a rhinocerous, several third world dogs, and a particularly aggressive cockroach in Fiji. Even by the Australian government once (that's another story). But I have never been charged by a bear.
Still, I have had a variety of encounters with this impressive animal. I've lost food to them on several occasions, and I've chased them from my camp by threat of both rock and bullet. At noteworthy times, bears and I have watched each other with mutual apprehension and mistrust.
Never charged by a bear, but no other animal so completely captures my mind as I wander through the woods. Well, I guess that in other parts of the world tigers have ranked right up there on the freak-me-out scale.
There are things you can do to improve your chances of a successful bear encounter:
Never hike alone. I do, when inclined.
Make noise. I do, especially in an area with minimal visibility.
Don't camp in an area with bear sign (scat, footprints, etc.). Sometimes, especially out in the wilderness, that advice just isn't feasible.
Bear bag your food. I've found that counter-balancing is most effective.
Carry pepper spray. I do, but I prefer a 12 guage when allowed.
Don't run. I don't.
Have no food or aromatic product in your tent. I usually follow this suggestion, but there have been times when I've slept with my food simply because I was too far from civilization to risk losing it.
Anyway, I am in no way offering advice here. Really, I'm not. If your 'cool job' this summer has you living in bear territory, the National Park Service will gladly offer guidelines.
Personally, I've found that when faced with an actual bear my faith in guidelines becomes a little thin. I may know what is recommended, but I'm not always convinced that this particular bear is reading from the same page.
Not wanting to make this blog tediously long, I've described three previous bear encounters on another site: www.coolworks.com/blog/greg
On a different topic, or at least one with a different spelling: They've found a new use for viagra. I know that sounds like the lead-in to a joke, but it's actually true. Some studies have shown that viagra can enhance physical ability in higher altitudes; useful for biking, climbing, etc..
If I ever give this a whirl during a mountain hike, I'll be sure that I don't find my companions the least bit attractive. Otherwise it could be a long trek. Pun intended.
What a funny world.
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