[pct-l] Animal attacks

[Austin Williams]

Truly... thank you.  I will certainly be much better equipped to more fully
enjoy my hiking now.  I'll leave the bear mace and wrist-rocket at home.  In
addition... I'll keep my guard up when near roads/towns, as I'm sure I'll be
considered more "lowly" than I would if I were dressed nicely and didn't
smell like stinky adventure, and hence be a little more targeted for
harassment.

I will also practice self-arrests and not just assume I could figure it out
on the fly because I saw the diagram once.

Thanks again,
-Austin





On Fri, Jun 6, 2008 at 2:11 PM, Bill Batchelor <billbatch at cox.net> wrote:

> This comes up all the time.  You are not alone in your concern.  Though the
> concerns are over warranted.  Here is my two cents:
>
> If you look at he history of things that injure or worse PCT hikers, animal
> attacks are FAR at the bottom of the list.  Yet, because of the spooky
> nature of the thought, they take up an undue preoccupation in the mind.
>
> From my experience of reading and tracking this subject, here is my non
> scientific observation of the dangers.
>
> 1.  The trail overall is as safe as "society" living.   The ride to the
> trail is likely to be near the top of the most dangerous parts.
>
> 2.  The things that seriously or kill hikers are MUCH more likely in this
> order:  falling off cliffs/embankments, unarrested snow slides,
> hyperthermia, crossing rivers.
>
> 3.  The category of  human assault is really road related not trail.  If an
> attack by human happens on the trail, it has always been the trail in close
> proximity to a road. After the first mile away from the road, the problem
> with humans dimishes to almost nil.  Unless you count rambling
> conversations
> with by passers or stink-B.O. assaults.   We have also had hitch hiking
> problems from/to the trail.
>
> 4.  I know of no attacks by coyotes.  You will see them all the time.  They
> are harmless and beautiful.
>
> 5.  Cat attacks are very very rare, though statistics show diminished odds
> if you are an adult and are not solo.  The reality of long distance hiking
> though is that most of the time you are not in lock step with your partner
> anyway.  Most often you are separated by at least 100 yards and more likely
> a quarter mile plus.   Also, the odds of solo problems to group problems is
> similar to the odds of getting hit by lightning vs winning the lotto.  The
> odds are remote either way, just one is less so.
>
> 6. If you note the list of things that are far more likely to hurt you
> (cliffs, snow, rivers, cold), you will be MUCH better served spending
> attention on these items than you are on weapon considerations.
>
> 7. VERY few PCT hikers carry weapons.  I have never met one, but I guess
> they are out there.
>
> 8. You will hear many stories about cougar/mt lion sightings, near
> sightings, tracks.  I am convinced that most of them are fabrications,
> exaggerations, or imaginations.   Talk to anyone who has hunted these cats
> or experts who have tried to study them in the wild.  You can spend months
> TRYING to see a cat and fail.   These kitties can get into your heads for
> sure, but again - you should be more panicked when you get in your car to
> drive.
>
> 9.  Many many many hikers hike alone.  Even those with partners often spend
> most of their days alone.
>
> I hope you find that reassuring though it will take you some time at night
> not to get those spooky feelings.   I have finally come to wearing ear
> plugs
> at night because I don't like things that go snap.
>
> Best to you,
>
> Pink Gumby
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
> On Behalf Of Austin Williams
> Sent: Friday, June 06, 2008 1:36 PM
> To: pct-l at backcountry.net
> Subject: [pct-l] Animal attacks
>
> I am starting my southbound solo thru of the PCT around July 5th... I have
> a
> question about animal attacks...
>
> Am I significantly more likely to be stalked/attacked when hiking solo?  Am
> I really going to be actively hunted by coyotes in the desert night (I plan
> on walking mostly at night in the desert)?  Do animals out there really see
> me as a meal?  Or are my survivalist family members just being overly
> paranoid?
>
> Is bear mace a good idea for solo hiker?  A wrist-rocket?  or should I
> leave
> it at home and save a pound?
>
> I'm not worried about rattle snakes... I've read that no PCT hiker has ever
> been bit by one (Wilderness Press).  I'm just a *tiny* bit worried about
> being a skinny thru-hiker-meal to a mountain lion.. or (more likely?) a
> pack
> of coyotes.
>
> I'll be hiking alone from mid July to late October.  Any wisdom on this
> matter is kindly appreciated.
>
> -Austin
>
> P.s.  Ray Jardine speaks of coyotes "playing tag" and being friendly with
> hikers... my dad interprets this as Ray being stalked and hunted and him
> being to naive to realize it....  I don't know who to believe here.
> [sorry if this is a duplicate... ]
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