Bear Mace!!

[jarlaxle]

Sounds great. You're going to have a blast, if you didn't already know that.

I've stayed in Selida before while motorcycle touring. I really liked it - like a small college town, but no college.

She's done 17 or 18; there are actually over 50 of them. I know she's done some peaks in that area you're headed - Yale perhaps.

If you get down to New Mexico, the highest point here is Wheeler Peak, at 13-something.

-Bob

Wow i didnt know there were over 50 peaks in CO over 14 thousand. My mom lives in Sante Fe and i visit there about 4 times a year, I'll have to check out Wheeler. Thanks again guys

 

[1Tracker]

There are probably no Grizzly bears in Colorado, although it's possible in the far north I suspect.

Black bears are curious animals, rarely agressive towards people, but can be pests if allowed to eat human food even once. I'd be especially cautious if a bear returns to your campsite repeatedly after being chased off or isn't easily chased off - I'd move to a new campsite if that happens.

I've never carried mace, but it's not a terrible idea if you find a product with good evidence for effectiveness.

Also, if you follow standard bear country precautions, any unnatural encounters will be very rare. Cook and eat away from where you sleep. Hang food and any other scented items in a tree away from where you sleep. Keep a clean camp. And don't use soap or deodorant before going to bed.

It's really the bears that are in danger, not people. "A Fed Bear is a Dead Bear." Once bears are no longer afraid of people or associate food with people, they have to be destroyed. Unfortunately it's sloppy car campers, RVers, and local homeowners that create the problems, putting both backpackers and bears in danger.

As far as wearing bells while hiking, that's completely unnecessary in black bear country, and rather silly. If you're hiking along and come across a bear, they'll be busy doing natural bear things, and the encounter will be a rare treat. Do you blow air horns while hiking in Illinois to avoid seeing deer or turkeys? If you don't want to see wildlife while visiting the wilderness, perhaps a trip to the theatre or city park would be more to your liking.

-Bob

Spot on Bob, I totally agree with this and your post on 'Bear':jerkit: Grylis iding a bear in the dark.....Hell it was probably a friggin' coyote, elk, deer, or bobcat EVERYTHING sounds bigger in the dark to city folk

 

[Bob W]

Wow i didnt know there were over 50 peaks in CO over 14 thousand. My mom lives in Sante Fe and i visit there about 4 times a year, I'll have to check out Wheeler. Thanks again guys

Many of the Colorado 14ers are technical climbs suited for experienced mountaineers with full gear. Others are remote enough to require backbacking to gain access. And many of them are suitable for experienced and prepared dayhikers. There's lots of info on the internet.

Wheeler Peak in New Mexico is most easily accessed from the Toas Ski Valley via a well-traveled and maintained hiking trail. It's an easy dayhike up and down, but be preparing for sudden and extreme weather conditions. I hiked it from the northeast, via Red River and Middle Fork Lake. That route involves some off-trail navigating over rugged terrain, but you'll see places that not everyone else goes.

Spot on Bob, I totally agree with this and your post on 'Bear' Grylis iding a bear in the dark.....Hell it was probably a friggin' coyote, elk, deer, or bobcat EVERYTHING sounds bigger in the dark to city folk

There's been an unusual amount of "bearanoia" posts in the last couple of days. I try to be as polite as possible when replying, but it isn't always easy - I'm not a naturally polite person.

To me the noise of a bear in the forest is rather distinctive; it's the only animal that makes as much noise as a person. And if you're hiking on a trail and hear rocks being turned over up ahead, it's probably a bear.

If you want the rare pleasure of seeing a natural Black Bear in the wild, there are some tips I've learned. Hike alone, hike quietly, and hike quickly. A group of slow-moving Boy Scouts with clanking backpacks will rarely see a bear on the trail. In contrast, I see bears almost every time I go out.

Just to clarify, all of my experience is with Black Bears. From what I've read it would not be wise to suddenly come upon a Grizzly bear and cubs.

-Bob

 

[jarlaxle]

Wheeler Peak in New Mexico is most easily accessed from the Toas Ski Valley via a well-traveled and maintained hiking trail. It's an easy dayhike up and down, but be preparing for sudden and extreme weather conditions. I hiked it from the northeast, via Red River and Middle Fork Lake. That route involves some off-trail navigating over rugged terrain, but you'll see places that not everyone else goes.



-Bob

I've went skiing in Toas a couple of months ago. I also went to Ski Sante Fe.

 

[Normark]

Hey Jarl...

Anyone ever teach you the difference between black bear shit and Griz shit ???

You have to get down and examine the shit though..

Black bear shit usually has small berry seeds and big silver bells in it, and Griz shit, smells like pepper spray....

There are some people that say bears like the taste of pepper spray...

I spray 000 Buck for agressive bears out of an 870 riot gun w/9 round extended tube

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

 

[jarlaxle]

Hey Jarl...

Anyone ever teach you the difference between black bear shit and Griz shit ???

You have to get down and examine the shit though..

Black bear shit usually has small berry seeds and big silver bells in it, and Griz shit, smells like pepper spray....

There are some people that say bears like the taste of pepper spray...

I spray 000 Buck for agressive bears out of an 870 riot gun w/9 round extended tube

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

hahahhahahhahhahha:thumbup: