FEAR

“Here is the deal...I drove up to the Upper Peninsula yesterday unintentionally. Was just going to go on a dayhike in the middle of Michigan but kept driving north to the bridge and ended up on the other side in the UP. I was with a friend who had to be back this morning so it was a quick trip. We drove up and over and then over and down, in 13.5 hours. BUT...just over the bridge, there is a portion of the NCT not too far from the bridge. We drove to the trailhead and we were going to do an hour and a half hike, then come back. However, I only got about 100 yards down the trail and my heart was just pounding. My fear of bears is making me crazy. Does anyone out there have a fear and if so, how do you get around it? I am planning on going to a "Bear Ranch" up that way soon, that I learned they have, to hopefully help me with this crazy rollercoaster I seem to be on. But, that trail was dense, and it was dreary out. It spooked the heck out of me. I do alot of my hiking/backpacking alone due to my work schedule so this fear has to be dealt with or else I will never enjoy what I want to enjoy. And I will die from a heart attack out there and get eaten by one anyways.”

“There are ways to get over fears like that. If it's interfering with something you otherwise enjoy, I'd seriously think about looking into some of those methods.

In the meantime, what about bear spray?


(and Good luck!)”

“The likelihood of my ability to use it under the influence of fear is slim to none, I would think. My luck, it would be a "small" bear I would spray only to have momma right behind me pissed off I sprayed her kid! I know there are ways to get over fear...like facing it, but do I really need to face this one? If so, then that is when I need luck.”

“Just cut down on the coffee & hike with a group. We have blacks here & 98% of my encounters have basically been a blur. Most bears that aren't fed by humans (or around their homes/camps) retain a fear and scatter at first sight/scent. Only fed bears become dangerous & have to be relocated or destroyed. I take wide cautious steps around bears & other living creatures but would stop them if it became necessary.”

“I think what your Friendly Neighborhood Headshrinker might do is gradually desensitize you to the thought of bears... one step at a time... if it's a genuine phobia.

Spray would still be safer than a gun, <GRIN>!”

“first, try reading this.....

http://gorp.com/gorp/publishers/wildernesspress/trailsafe/trailsafe.htm

then go and learn as much as you can about bears.

If that doesnt work I reccomend you hike with dirty old men for protection.

what was that litney from dune? fear is the mind killer, the little death that comes ....mumble,mumble mumble.”

“And I will die from a heart attack out there and get eaten by one anyways. - wolfeyes

At least you won't hear your bones being crushed, and your flesh being ripped off. :o) ...er, I guess that didn't help.

Hike with a group and wear those "bear bells" or make noise.”

“I've hiked in places that look spooky that didn't have bears. I've been in the forest where in places it just seemed evil or something. You know, where it's broad daylight and it's kind of foggy and nothing is making a sound.”

“Bear attacks are rare. Of course, that fact alone won't get you over your fears. They really are very cool animals. Good luck with it all, I think visiting the bear ranch is an excellent idea.”

“I totally understand,and appreciate your fear. Be it fear of bears, heights, or whatever they are real. All the suggestions you have been given seem like good ones....I have found myself paralized at times from fear. It is a good thing that you recognize it an deal with it whichever method you choose...just don't let it get the best of you! :)”

“i don't fear blacks(which we have here) but i do avoid grizzly country. if i did ever hike with the griz, i'd be packin heat for sure.

i think the bear camp thing will help alot, wolfeyes...”

“Well, I hiked a 10 mile loop yesterday, in northern Michigan. I was planning to camp on the trail but there were no available sights within close proximity of water so I hiked back to the campground where I parked. About 1.5 miles from the car,I saw bear prints on the trail. I know it was a small bear. It had five long nail marks in front and an oblong smooth back. So, I hiked the last 1.5 miles in record time, got back to my car, and came home. So, the fear is pissing me off. I hiked that whole loop with a 28 pound pack on my back, too. If I wasn't alone, I might have stayed but there were some "interesting" campers at the campground that had a couple of vacant sites...too interesting for me to stay there alone. I am going up to that Bear Ranch next week. Either that, or the free gear thread will be loaded!”

“the bear ranch will help alot, give it a shot....and find some hiking partners...”

“Wolfeyes,

I don't want to get out of line, but I speak from bitter experience.

When the fear is larger than the danger, the source can often be found elsewhere. I notice in your bio that you have a dog and the advice to hike in groups is also good.

Is there something happening in your life that makes you need to hike for therapeutic reasons, but these same reasons make you freeze? This often expresses itself in fear. I love to cook and eat, but I once became anorexic. I am a very social person (ask Ice Tea and Artex), but have suffered from agoraphobia for over ten years (it's in remission now).

Find a buddy you can trust and take your dog. A group organised through TT such as FYAOIII can be a godsend some times.

Happy trails.

Doug”

“You've probably all seen this before but it's still funny...

"Bear Warning"
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game recently issued this bulletin... "Warning: In light of the rising frequency of human/grizzly bear conflicts, the Alaska Department of Fish and Game is advising hikers, hunters and fishermen to take extra precautions and keep alert of bears while in the field.

We advise outdoorsmen to wear noisy little bells on their clothing, so as not to startle bears that aren't expecting them. We also advise outdoorsmen to carry pepper spray with them in case of an encounter with a bear. It is also a good idea to watch out for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear and grizzly bear manure: Black bear manure is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear manure has little bells in it and smells like pepper."”

“Sorry I didn't post something a bit more helpful, I think gremlin has hit it right on the head... It's certainly an individual thing, which needs a solution individual to you... Whether it be counselling, education or 'facing'. Good luck.”

“I attach bear bells to my pack.

So far the magic jingle bells have kept bad Ju Ju away from me.

And then there are rattlesnakes.
I haven't seen rattlesnakes in years and just last weekend I did miles of rock-hoppin' in West Virginia.
The times that I have seen them their first reaction is to run from me.
I have convinced myself that all those potentially nasty critter generally avoid people.”

“Correction, they avoid people wearing blue long johns. Those of us that have black long johns are not safe at all.

I think that wolfeyes has gotten used to listening to her instincts, and sometimes instincts can be a pain in the butt. Gremlin is right that working to find a hiking partner or two, and taking your dog can make a big difference in how you percieve your safety during a hike. I hike as often as my schedule allows with RichB and MSilver with his border collie, and I feel very comfortable that we can handle any problems we encounter. On my own, I can really creep myself out with my imagination.”

“There are no Brown (Grizzly) Bears in the East where I hike so I have no advice.

It was mentioned above that Black Bears are a problem when they are used to humans, they associate humans with food availablity.

Young male Black Bears are potentially a bigger problem when they meet humans for the first time. They do not know what you are. Any signs of curiosity from a young bear must be met with an aggressive posture, you need to frighten the bear or it will think you are a prey species. Yell, bang pots, throw stones, make yourself look as big as possible (hold pack over your head). Do not move away quietly as that is a signal to the bear that you are something to eat.

Most predators do not want to get into a fight with another predator, because if they are injured they will probably die. They will fight to defend territory as losing their spot also means they will die. So the trick is to behave like another predator, but one who will back off from a fight and go elsewhere.

Observe aggression displays between cats or dogs, wariness, exaggerated slow movements, never turn you back, lots of noise, and slowly back off. No direct eye contact.”

“A great man once said.
" The only thing we have to fear, is fear itself"

Like many of the "Unknowns" we humans have may have a fear for it. Not knowing what might happen, our imaginations run wild. We always seem to think of the worst scenerio. I have been guilty of that myself. Try to think positive :-)
Something like all bears are like "yogi" & "Sugar" and are friendly :-)
My suggestion is to conquer that fear by improvising, adapting and overcoming it. The courage is in you and you can do it :-)
Best of luck.
Tim”

“Where do you live, Manuka? I am moving there directly!!!

Thanks, everyone for the advice and everything. I jsut got my ne wpack today so I can't quite give up just yet. It came with a bear resistant aura that surrounds me while wearing it...ahhh, if only those damn medieval games could be played this life!”

“What about red longjohns?”

“Red longjohns...bells...can of bear spray in one hand...dirtyoldman behind me, hypnotist on one side, hanging pots around neck with stones attached, big orange whistle in my mouth, and eyes closed as not to make eye contact with the male bear who don't know me...for some reason, this visual is worth videotaping...if for no other reason than to see if it would really work. Theother hand of course, is empty. Just in case it's a deaf bear who I need to scream at in sign language.”

“Most bad encounters with black bears are over food. Proper food handling is the first issue to deal with. Eat away from where you pitch your tent and hang the food well off the ground and away from the tree. Do not wipe hands on clothing after eating. Store all food items in the food bag, including candy, cookies, and toothpaste.

Places where bears are protected are liable to be problem areas, because the bears have gotten over fear of man. Where bears are hunted, they associate man with death and fear us more than we fear them. National Parks and campgrounds are likely to have bears that do not fear humans. National Forests and public hunting areas have bears that are afraid of humans.

Seeing a bear in the wilds is a rare treat. They really are majestic creatures.

All of these bets are off if you're dealing with grizzlies.”

“There ya go, Wolfeyes, have a good one.”

“Another big source of encounters with black bears is when a human approaches a cub. Mama don't like that. If you see a cub, get the fock outta there.”

“Do tin foil hats prevent UFO abductions?”

“You don't have to worry, Gordon.

They only want intelligent life forms.”

“I think its a total rush to see a bear in the wild. I am afraid of heights so I'll give you no grief.

Did anyone else read that story in last month's Backpacker about the guy doing bear research in Siberia? He claims we can coexist.”

“Yes, Violin, I did read that article in the last Backpacker Mag. I also saw the pictures. Now, the one with the Grizzly kicking back with the guy is the kind of interaction I wouldn't mind. Kick back, talk to each other, or not...I wouldn't care...enjoy the views together, and break out a Coca Cola. But, seems we don't have that "kickin' back and chit-chat" kind of bear here. So, on to face the fear, I go!”

“Regarding your post of 9:58 on the 27th: YES, I think you've got it covered, LOL


(PS, it's the Polar Bears who drink Coca Cola)”

“Yes, this concept of polar bears drinking coke was dreamed up in sunny hot humid Atlanta. Probably in August.”