Backcountry Forum
Backpacking & Hiking Gear

Backcountry Forum
Our long-time Sponsor - the leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear
 
 
 

Amazon.com
Backpacking Forums
---- Our Gear Store ----
The Lightweight Gear Store
 
 WINTER CAMPING 

Shelters
Bivy Bags
Sleeping Bags
Sleeping Pads
Snow Sports
Winter Kitchen

 SNOWSPORTS 

Snowshoes
Avalanche Gear
Skins
Hats, Gloves, & Gaiters
Accessories

 ULTRA-LIGHT 

Ultralight Backpacks
Ultralight Bivy Sacks
Ultralight Shelters
Ultralight Tarps
Ultralight Tents
Ultralight Raingear
Ultralight Stoves & Cookware
Ultralight Down Sleeping Bags
Ultralight Synthetic Sleep Bags
Ultralight Apparel


the Titanium Page
WM Extremelite Sleeping Bags

 CAMPING & HIKING 

Backpacks
Tents
Sleeping Bags
Hydration
Kitchen
Accessories

 CLIMBING 

Ropes & Cordage
Protection & Hardware
Carabiners & Quickdraws
Climbing Packs & Bags
Big Wall
Rescue & Industrial

 MEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 WOMEN'S APPAREL 

Jackets
Shirts
Baselayer
Headwear
Gloves
Accessories

 FOOTWEAR 

Men's Footwear
Women's Footwear

 CLEARANCE 

Backpacks
Mens Apparel
Womens Apparel
Climbing
Footwear
Accessories

 BRANDS 

Black Diamond
Granite Gear
La Sportiva
Osprey
Smartwool

 WAYS TO SHOP 

Sale
Clearance
Top Brands
All Brands

 Backpacking Equipment 

Shelters
BackPacks
Sleeping Bags
Water Treatment
Kitchen
Hydration
Climbing


 Backcountry Gear Clearance

Topic Options
Rate This Topic
#153190 - 07/28/11 09:42 PM Article link for NOLS Bear Attack
midnightsun03 Offline
member

Registered: 08/06/03
Posts: 2936
Loc: Alaska
Alaska Dispatch Article

Very interesting, doesn't say anything about the first two backpackers running. I had read the same thing (about the running) as well. From the description of the terrain there wasn't anywhere they could run to, not to mention how difficult it would be to run with a full expedition pack on. It sounds like they are thinking this was the equivalent of two adversaries meeting in a blind alley, with the bear initially thinking it was only encountering a single individual.

MNS
_________________________
YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.

Top
#153193 - 07/28/11 10:28 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: midnightsun03]
skcreidc Offline
member

Registered: 08/16/10
Posts: 1590
Loc: San Diego CA
Interestingly, the article says that more people are killed yearly in accidents with firearms in Alaska than by brown bears. I found out about this accident on another forum...nothing was ever mentioned about anybody running, only that a mother griz suddenly appeared with cub and apparently as surprised as the NOLS group. Sounds like at the wrong place at the wrong time to me. Both parties surprised each other.

Thanks for finding this mns.


Edited by skcreidc (07/28/11 10:30 PM)

Top
#153199 - 07/28/11 11:12 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: skcreidc]
DTape Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/07
Posts: 666
Loc: Upstate NY
One of the boys was from my local area. In an interview he mentioned they ran even though they knew they shouldn't. He was not one of the boys who was seriously injured.
_________________________
http://ducttapeadk.blogspot.com

Top
#153216 - 07/29/11 10:56 AM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: DTape]
midnightsun03 Offline
member

Registered: 08/06/03
Posts: 2936
Loc: Alaska
Interesting, DTape. I wonder why they are playing it down?

MNS
_________________________
YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.

Top
#153224 - 07/29/11 12:15 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: midnightsun03]
DTape Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/07
Posts: 666
Loc: Upstate NY
It was a very minor mention even here (the running error that is). The focus of the story seemed to be more about post-attack. what they boys did as far as first aid, activating PLB, etc...
_________________________
http://ducttapeadk.blogspot.com

Top
#153225 - 07/29/11 12:18 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: DTape]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
I'm surely at the back of the line of any folks wishing to criticize them for either where they were or how they responded. From the above article they regrouped well enough to possibly have saved lives. Good for them.

I don't know how you'd "drill" for surprise bear attack and until it happens and "fight or flight" kicks in, how could you really know how you'd react? I guess if I had my spray in hand I might be able to pull it together and use it, otherwise running would seem like a great idea!

For some reason, I thought of this fine military training film, which shows how reluctance can be overcome in the right circumstances.

Snakebite! (Bananas)

A company I once worked for was doing remote fieldwork in Alaska. They hired a fulltime armed guard who patrolled the area for bear and scouted new worksites in advance of team moves. He was doing just that in a brushy area and surprised a bear, which mauled him before he could get off a shot (he was carrying a rifle at the ready with safety off). He was heloed out and survived, but we had to rewrite the protocols afterwards.

If it can happen to a "professional" it can happen to anybody.

Cheers,

Originally Posted By DTape
One of the boys was from my local area. In an interview he mentioned they ran even though they knew they shouldn't. He was not one of the boys who was seriously injured.
_________________________
--Rick

Top
#153226 - 07/29/11 12:23 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: Rick_D]
DTape Offline
member

Registered: 11/23/07
Posts: 666
Loc: Upstate NY
I did not intend my post to pass judgement. I actually agree with you completely. The fact the boys knew what they should have done and yet reacted differently underscores your point.

_________________________
http://ducttapeadk.blogspot.com

Top
#153233 - 07/29/11 01:53 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: DTape]
Rick_D Offline
member

Registered: 01/06/02
Posts: 2939
Loc: NorCal
No worries, I didn't take it that way. I've become overly sensitized by first, blame, then attack the victim comments that propagate newspaper comments every time somebody gets in trouble in the boonies. Either "they got what they deserved" or "I ain't payin' for their rescue, maaaaan."

And with that, I've wandered off topic completely.

Cheers,

Originally Posted By DTape
I did not intend my post to pass judgement. I actually agree with you completely. The fact the boys knew what they should have done and yet reacted differently underscores your point.

_________________________
--Rick

Top
#153240 - 07/29/11 06:23 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: midnightsun03]
Heather-ak Offline
member

Registered: 07/11/10
Posts: 597
Loc: Fairbanks, AK
Here's the AP article that was in the Fairbanks Newsminer:
http://www.newsminer.com/view/full_story...-ran-down-hill?


Top
#153281 - 07/31/11 06:55 PM Re: Article link for NOLS Bear Attack [Re: Rick_D]
midnightsun03 Offline
member

Registered: 08/06/03
Posts: 2936
Loc: Alaska
I know second-hand that even very experienced outdoors-people can get caught off-guard and follow their instinct to run, even though they know it is the wrong thing to do. It is human nature, especially if you're not really thinking "bear encounter" while you are walking through brush. Quite frankly, IMHO that should be the ONLY thing you are thinking about when you can't see over the terrain in bear country... it is harder to be caught off-guard when you are actively scanning for bear.

I have never encountered a brown bear in the wild, but I have run into black bears on several occasions. All of the encounters have been with bears just minding their own business. I went on my way and they went on theirs. I have been lucky in that I have never met a bear who is feeling defensive, curious or playful, but each time I have stopped dead in my tracks and my pulse has definitely gone up! I am not sure how I would react if I saw a brown bear... I'd like to think that I'd still stop in my tracks and not run.

It's funny, even though I am not in bear country anymore, I still watch out for bear and moose whenever I'm walking through the woods! I have to remind myself to look DOWN for snakes instead.

MNS a/k/a Dixie Moon
_________________________
YMMV. Viewer discretion is advised.

Top

Shout Box

Highest Quality Lightweight Down Sleeping Bags
 
Western Mountaineering Sleeping Bags
 
Lite Gear Talk - Featured Topics
Backcountry Discussion - Featured Topics
Make Your Own Gear - Featured Topics
Featured Photos
Spiderco Chaparral Pocketknife
David & Goliath
Also Testing
Trip Report with Photos
Seven Devils, Idaho
Oat Hill Mine Trail 2012
Dark Canyon - Utah
Who's Online
0 registered (), 160 Guests and 0 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Newest Members
Noodles, McCrary, DanyBacky, Rashy Willia, WanderBison
13240 Registered Users
Forum Links
Disclaimer
Policies
Site Links
Backpacking.net
Lightweight Gear Store
Backpacking Book Store
Lightweight Zone
Hiking Essentials

Our long-time Sponsor, BackcountryGear.com - The leading source for ultralite/lightweight outdoor gear:

Backcountry Forum
 

Affiliate Disclaimer: This forum is an affiliate of BackcountryGear.com, Amazon.com, R.E.I. and others. The product links herein are linked to their sites. If you follow these links to make a purchase, we may get a small commission. This is our only source of support for these forums. Thanks.!
 
 

Since 1996 - the Original Backcountry Forum
Copyright © The Lightweight Backpacker & BackcountryForum