[pct-l] Bear Spray info

[Eric Lee (GAMES)]

Gary wrote:
>
Being an ultralight hiker I certainly wasn't eager to carry an additional
1/2 lb cannister, but I'll seriously consider it for the PCT now that I
understand the risk/benefit much better.
>

Others have said it already but it bears (ahem) repeating - bear spray is useful and recommended in grizzy/brown bear country.  Those kinds of bears can be truly unpredictable and mean and may attack you for no good reason at all.  However, black bears (at least in the continental U.S.) are much less aggressive and will almost never attack unprovoked.  The statistics show this to be true.

The PCT doesn't pass through any grizzly country, with the possible exception of the North Cascades.  It's rumored that a few may have moved down from Canada, but I don't know if it's been officially confirmed.  In any case, there aren't many of them there, if any.  I wouldn't worry about it.

If you do carry bear spray, remember that it doesn't do you any good if it's in your pack or even shoved deep into a side pocket.  It's got to be attached to your hipbelt or shoulder strap or somewhere where you can get it free and ready to use *instantly*.  In the very unlikely event that a bear does attack you, you're not likely to get much warning.  Keep it ready to hand or don't bother.

Eric