[pct-l] bear attack in the Smokies

[Jim & Jane Moody]

I live near the Smokies - stories like this are in our local news frequently. By coincidence, this week "All Things Considered" on NPR did a story about the conflict between bears and the 11 million tourists / year in the Smokies. The next day, this "attack" occurred. Personally, I don't think it was an attack on a hiker. I'd bet the bear smelled something and went for it. The guy's leg happened to be in the way. 

A friend of mine, who is a vet, was doing a section hike through the Smokies 2 weeks ago. At Russell Field Shelter, a momma bear and cubs hung around at dusk but left. At about 2 AM she (my friend) and her hiking partner were awakened by a bear chewing through and in a couple of packs hanging on the shelter walls. They scared it off but obviously the bear was not intimidated by being around people. The guy whose pack suffered the most damage had some scented soap in his pack. All those at the RF shelter had hung their food bags on the cables provided. Russell Field and Spence Field are not so far apart. This might have been the same bear. 

Lessons? 
1. This bear(s) will eventually have to be killed by Park Rangers. 
2. AT bears and PCT bears are both opportunistic feeders - becoming habituated to people and people food is a death sentence, no matter which trail you're on. 
3. Don't carry soap. 

----- Original Message -----

From: "Bob" <bobandshell97 at verizon.net> 
To: "Pct-L" <pct-l at backcountry.net> 
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2016 2:51:10 PM 
Subject: [pct-l] FYI 

http://wjhl.com/2016/05/11/hiker-attacked-by-bear-on-appalachian-trail/