Bear encounter

Occurrence Date: June 20, 2015

Location: North side of the Central Alaska Range near the McKinley River

Info From Licensor: "This encounter happened while on a 275 mile traverse on foot of the Central Alaska Range over the course of 8 days. Basically in the middle of nowhere. This is a situation every back country traveler never wants to experience. I was down wind of the bear and looking down hill at Dusty who was still hiking up. The bear was apparently approaching to investigate what I was and not catching any smell due to the wind. When Dusty saw him and began waiving his hands, I turned and slowly started walking backwards facing him but not being threatening, while talking to the bear. This technique has worked in every other bear encounter I have had. When I realized it was not deterring him in the slightest I knew I was in for trouble and realized I had one tactic left to call out his bluff. When he stood up to charge in the beginning of the video I had to try and counter it. Without my gun or spray I had one option and it was to appear a threat or at least a difficult meal. (I know many people will criticize my choice for no firearm or spray and go right ahead, I made an educated decision and for once faced the true consequences of that so spare me the BS.)" -Todd Tumolo



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I consider myself very lucky to have walked away from this one unharmed.

This is a situation every back country traveller never wants to experience. I was down wind of the bear and looking down hill at Dusty who was still hiking up. The bear was apparently approaching to investigate what I was and not catching any smell due to the wind. When Dusty saw him and began waiving his hands, I turned and slowly started walking backwards facing him but not being threatening, while talking to the bear. This technique has worked in every other bear encounter I have had. When I realized it was not deterring him in the slightest I knew I was in for trouble and realized I had one tactic left to call out his bluff. When he stood up to charge in the beginning of the video I had to try and counter it. Without my gun or spray I had one option and it was to appear a threat or at least a difficult meal. (I know many people will criticize my choice for no firearm or spray and go right ahead, I made an educated decision and for once faced the true consequences of that so spare me the BS)

Please excuse the language I used.