Scanning for Safety-a Bear Story

I have this method of scanning when I'm hiking or backpacking. It really doesn't matter whether its on a long hike, bushwhacking or even in town.

I first learned it in driver's ed. They teach you to scan continuously: left, right, rear view mirror, up, down, complete range of periphial vision. Movement is what catches your eye even more than color. Both help remarkably.

Hearing helps, one reason I only listen to music with one ear, and only on the tried and true four mile mountain trail used for morning exercise.

One day on the Pacific Crest Trail I was hiking alone when suddenly, 15 yards ahead, a creature began emerging from a big tree stump. A furry brown head, with a black mask of color around the eyes. He looked really sleepy, and my initial reaction was to stop in my tracks. That's one huge raccoon, I thought. But, the animal kept coming, and I realized it was a bear! I stood there, watching, not certain what would happen next.

Seemed the bear was trying to ignore me, and once free of his crib, jumped onto the trail and bounded away.

I paused. What to do next, my trail led in the direction he ran. I gave him 5 minutes head start, and continued hiking, singing softly.

That night some trail friends showed up and we all camped together. Alexa said she'd seen a bear "scared to Jesus".

Coulda been my bear.

I try not to make a lot of noise while hiking so that I see more wild life. If I know a bear, especially a mother and cub, are up ahead, I will sing, or purposely hit rocks with my hiking poles.

Rangers have told me most bad encounters come from surprising a bear.

If you want to make noise without talking and exerting too much energy, simply tie a metal lid from the cook set to the handle of your hiking pole.

If you've ever heard the bear bells they sell at National Park Stores, they sound like birds on the trail. You can't even hear them near water, a prime location for feeding wildlife.

When hiking a winding trail with bear, the automatic noise making of metal on metal will alert bear and prevent unwanted encounters.

Resting on Uphill Climbs and Poison Ivy

The climb from my favorite shelter is 700 vertical feet. Especially in snow, I usually take a breather. Find a good solid tree, without any vines growing on it, stand close to the trunk on the uphill side and lean against it. No energy required.

I always check for vines first. Without leaves, its hard to tell if the vine is poison ivy. Even in winter you can get the oil on your clothes. Once there, the oils can cause a reaction any time you use this garment unless the item is thoroughly washed.
Poison Ivy and Poison Oak are serious stuff. Either can cause systemic reactions, and even hinder breathing. If you've had a bad case , you are aware how maddening the itch, swelling and seeping of pus can be.

Sometimes you have to wade through a pathc of poison ivy. The Bartram Trail, near Wayah Bald is especially overgrown with it come June and July.

If you find yourself exposed to poison ivy or poison oak, wash in Cold water, never warm and absolutely never hot water, as soon as possible. Wash for several minutes, more is better. If you wash in a stream, do not use any soap; soap is not necessary. Hot water only spreads the oils.

If you are not certain of exposure, take the safe way out and wash everything. Change clothing if it has touched the plants, place items in a plastic bag and wash thoroughly in cold water.

Once all the oils have been removed, you can not transmit it to another person. Your body may react, but you are not contagious. Poison Ivy is an allergic reaction to plant material, not bacterias or viruses.

Some people recommend calamine lotion to relieve itching. I find the Polar Ice analgesic gel cools the area, and eliminates itching. You may find this works for you as well. Cold compresses help by reducing blood flow and keeping the inflammation localized. In my experience, warm compresses worsen the reaction by increasing blood flow. Scratching can break the skin and introduce infection. If you must, cover the area after applying cooling gel, to keep from scratching or further irritating the skin.

Never burn leaves in the fire ring or as toilet paper unless you are certain they are not of the poison ivy family.