Question: What would you do if a massive Grizzly Bear was running towards you at 55km an hour?
Answer: Run!?
Response: Don’t be stupid…
It might seem daft, but what you actually think you should do in a situation like this is in fact the complete opposite. Seriously. I was shocked too.
Instead of telling you what you SHOULD do, I am going to tell you what you SHOULDN’T do.
Let’s begin.
Stage 1) Do not pack smelly stuff (or be smelly)
You may not know that a Bear’s greatest sense is smell. Their eyesight is mediocre as well as their hearing so in laymen’s terms they will smell you before they see you. So remember not to scoosh that expensive perfume or aftershave before you set off.
This includes food too!
Stage 2) Don’t be quiet
Make as much noise as you possibly can! Start your own one man band with a harmonica, drums, guitar and cymbals! Or just clap, talk to others and snap twigs as you walk may be the easier option. Do this to make the Bear’s know you are there, they will be less inclined to stick around if they know that a big group of people are approaching.
Ok, so we have actually encountered a Grizzly. But they don’t see us yet. What do I do? What do I do?
Stage 3) Don’t listen to stage 2.
Move away quietly before they spot you. Sorted. You’re safe. Go to the hotel, motorhome, lodge and grab a LARGE beer!
But he has seen me and he’s staring right at me. What do I do? What do I do?
Stage 4) Don’t listen to stage 3
Do not show him that you are afraid (even know you are afraid). Show this 300kg Grizzly that you are the boss! Talk to him and let him know that you are not an animal that he can eat. Also appear as big as you can so do not drop anything that you happen to be carrying and if there is a child on the trip, pick them up and huddle together in one group.
Then back away slowly and go back to the hotel, motorhome or lodge and grab an even LARGER beer!