Which gun to carry on my hike?

[JReedEsq]

So I finished my hike this morning. I carried my 9mm open on my pack which was definitely the right choice. Surprisingly enough, I did see a bear early this morning. He was about 1.5 miles north of campsite 30 on the little river trail. I must have woke him because as I was walking I heard a loud crash in the brush on my right about 20 yards and then saw him running across the trail behind me about the same distance. He looked to be about 200lbs but that could have been the adrenaline making things look bigger. However large, he was moving so fast that I knew it wasn't an animal I wanted to deal with 6 miles from any civilization. I don't remember drawing it but when I looked down my gun was in my hand in the low ready position. Needless to say I was on edge the rest of the hike. It was the first time I've seen a bear outside of Cade's Cove.

I've seen bears in that same area. Sounds like it's time for you to get some good bear spray. We carry the "Guard Alaska" brand.

[peejman]

So I finished my hike this morning. I carried my 9mm open on my pack which was definitely the right choice. Surprisingly enough, I did see a bear early this morning. He was about 1.5 miles north of campsite 30 on the little river trail. I must have woke him because as I was walking I heard a loud crash in the brush on my right about 20 yards and then saw him running across the trail behind me about the same distance. He looked to be about 200lbs but that could have been the adrenaline making things look bigger. However large, he was moving so fast that I knew it wasn't an animal I wanted to deal with 6 miles from any civilization. I don't remember drawing it but when I looked down my gun was in my hand in the low ready position. Needless to say I was on edge the rest of the hike. It was the first time I've seen a bear outside of Cade's Cove.

Glad you enjoyed the hike.

The big question is... Who do you think was more scared... you or the bear?

[timcar86]

By the way he was moving, it was him. However, I wasn't as collected as I was before I came across his bed.

[Guest Lester Weevils]

My luck, I'd walk another mile down the trail and meet a bigger bear asking, "Why did you scare my little baby brother? Why don't you pick on somebody your own size?"

Dunno nothin about it. BTW thanks for the explanations and linked video on bear spray.

Some years back read this thick "encyclopedic" book on backpacking written by some dude who had solo backpacked about every mountain range of note, end-to-end and side-to-side, at least once. If I could find the book would report the fella's name. Anyway, you would think the fella, having survived thousands of miles solo-- You would think the fella would know a thing or two. His advice was adamant, don't carry a gun. He said almost always the people who get messed up by a bear are armed. He claimed bears can sense an attitude and react accordingly.

That advice seemed of the most dubious in the entire book, but I don't know enough to discount it. It would be like arguing piloting technique against a career astronaut. I recall stories of unarmed people killed by bear (though they may not have been as smart as this dude). There was also that "friend of the grizzlies" feller who for years hung out with his buddies the alaska grizzlies until one of his pals ate him. So maybe this backpacking author dude is just the luckiest man alive. It was just an interesting perspective.

Edited April 19, 2012 by Lester Weevils