when i first moved here i thought the "Beware of Bears" sign posted at many trail heads was just a simple precaution...
turns out {after listening -trembling- to my friend's meet & greet encounter with one of the beauties on the Brainard Lake Trail} they are very much a part of our lives here in CO. since this is all new to me, here's some super-quick research on surviving your bear experience.
a handy resource: Colorado's resource for Bear Awareness 101.
if i came across a bear i'm sure i wouldn't remember a single survival tip, but it's good to keep these ideas from mountainnature.com in the vault. No matter how hard i try to focus i can always get a good laugh outta #4 & #7. See the entire list here.
turns out {after listening -trembling- to my friend's meet & greet encounter with one of the beauties on the Brainard Lake Trail} they are very much a part of our lives here in CO. since this is all new to me, here's some super-quick research on surviving your bear experience.
a handy resource: Colorado's resource for Bear Awareness 101.
if i came across a bear i'm sure i wouldn't remember a single survival tip, but it's good to keep these ideas from mountainnature.com in the vault. No matter how hard i try to focus i can always get a good laugh outta #4 & #7. See the entire list here.
1. Assess the situation. Are you dealing with a black bear or a grizzly? Why does it matter?
2. Do Not Run. You can't outrun a bear so don't even try.
3. Try to retreat slowly. Back up slowly and try to put more space between you and the bear. Talk calmly so that it can identify you as human, and slowly back up.
4. Climb a tree if available. If you have enough time, and the bear continues to move closer, take advantage of a tall tree to climb. Remember, black bears are strong climbers as well.
5. If the bear charges you, play poker. Bears will often bluff charge before attacking.
6. Use your pepper spray. This is a last resort.
7. If a black bear makes contact fight back. If the attack escalates and a black bear (or any bear that appears to have been stalking you) physically contacts you, fight back with anything that is available to you. Black bears tend to be more timid than grizzlies and fighting back may scare the bear off.
good luck out there! love, jayda & court