Hiking MUST HAVES!!
Always tell someone where you are going and when you expect to be back. This is not always easy because you may be in an area where there is no cell phone reception but do the best you can. Tell a Ranger, tell the campground, just tell someone. You must know what to do in bear country. The worst thing you can do is come between a mom and her cubs. The best thing you can do is not surprise a bear. Singing and making noise helps. If you encounter a bear get out of its way. They are not normally aggressive. However you want to stop and slowly back away while watching Smokey and wait for him to leave. Don't run! Make sure Smokey can get away and while backing up start yelling and waving your arms. The point is to make yourself look bigger. If you are with someone stay close to look even bigger. This is a good time to use the whistle we are going to make sure you have. Hopefully the bear is still afraid of humans. We've been in many Parks where they aren't and it is our fault ...