Glacier Nationwide Park encompasses 1,600 sq. miles of deep forests, pristine mountains, and crystal clear lakes. Nicknamed the “Crown of the Continent” Glacier has over 700 miles of trails of variable issue for hikers to select and select.
Apart the awe inspiring landscapes, hikers in Glacier can also be privileged with the chance to view a few of the park’s resident wildlife. Whereas guests might look ahead to seeing the number of mega-fauna that reside in Glacier, some species are greatest seen by way of telephoto lenses and binoculars. That would come with grizzly bears.
Glacier is dwelling to a inhabitants of roughly 300 grizzly bears. Grizzly bears will usually keep away from people when attainable however encounters contained in the park can occur like this one involving a bunch of 40 college students mountain climbing alongside the Avalanche Lake Path.
“We have been in Glacier Nationwide Park with roughly 40 Gifted and Proficient college students from my son’s faculty ranging in age from 7-14. We had been made conscious of the bears once we have been midway to Avalanche Lake. The Ranger had been in searching for them, noticed them method off the path, and wasn’t too involved. Inside mere moments of seeing the ranger, the bears turned and got here up the hill in the direction of the kids. My husband known as the ranger again, and you’re solely seeing a small portion of what we skilled.”
Fortunately a park ranger was in space and his voice proved a enough deterrent for the grizzly bear to assume twice concerning the approaching the scholars. The ranger did have his bear spray on the prepared if the state of affairs had escalated however verbal instructions gained the day. Study extra about Glacier Nationwide Park grizzly bear security under.
Glacier Nationwide Park Bear Encounter Security Pointers:
In case you encounter a bear contained in the minimal really helpful protected distance (100 yards; 91 m), you’ll be able to lower your danger by following these pointers:
- If a bear or different animal is shifting in your path on a path, get out of its method and let it move.
- In case you can transfer away, achieve this. If shifting away seems to agitate the bear, cease. On the whole, bears present agitation by swaying their heads, huffing, and clacking their tooth. Lowered head and laid-back ears additionally point out aggression. Bears might stand on their hind legs or method to get a greater view, however these actions aren’t essentially indicators of aggression. The bear might not have recognized you as an individual and could also be unable to scent or hear you from a distance. Assist the bear acknowledge you as a pleasant human.
- Speak quietly.
- Don’t run! Again away slowly. Cease if it appears to agitate the bear.
- Use your peripheral imaginative and prescient. Bears might interpret direct eye contact as threatening.
- Proceed to maneuver away because the state of affairs permits.
- If a bear seems intent on approaching you, your group, or your campsite in a non-defensive method (not exhibiting indicators of agitation), collect your group collectively, make noise, and attempt to discourage the bear from additional approaching. Put together to deploy your bear spray. In case you are making ready or consuming meals, safe it. DO NOT LET THE BEAR GET YOUR FOOD!
- If a bear approaches in a defensive method (seems agitated and/or prices), cease. Don’t run. Speak quietly to the bear. Put together to deploy your bear spray. If contact seems imminent and also you should not have bear spray, defend your chest and stomach by falling to the bottom in your abdomen, clasp your fingers across the again of your neck, and depart your pack on for cover. If the bear makes an attempt to roll you over, attempt to keep in your abdomen. If the assault is defensive, the bear will depart as soon as it acknowledges you aren’t a risk. If the assault is extended, FIGHT BACK!
