A hiker in Glacier National Park in Montana noticed fresh signs of a bear nearby and consciously kept a watchful eye as she progressed down the trail.
“I listen for the birds and smaller animals to warn me of a bigger threat based on their actions,” Amanda Wylie wrote on TikTok.
“That’s when I watch a prairie dog leap from my right side, to the left side of the trail. I thought to myself: how many bears have seen me while I haven’t seen them? I look to my right to find a grizzly [twice] my size on his hind legs, paws up. Terrified, I reminded myself not to run and said aloud, ‘Oh my god, it’s happening.’
“The safety video I watched before getting my backcountry permit immediately played in my mind. I took out my bear spray, got low and backed away slowly from the bear. I talked to him nice, and once I felt a safe enough distance away, I got my phone out to record, wondering if these would be my last moments.”
@twobraidsontrail July 4th I had my first Grizzly encounter… I noticed Bear tracks in the mud, fresh scat, and dug up roots. I kept my eyes peeled but saw no threat and kept hiking. I listen for the birds and smaller animals to warn me of a bigger threat based on their actions. That’s when I watch a prairie dog leap from my right side, to the left side of the trail I thought to myself: how many bears have seen me while I haven’t seen them?I look to my right to find a grizzly 2x my size on his hind legs, paws up. Terrified, I reminded myself not to run and said aloud “oh my god, it’s happening.” The safety video I watched before getting my backcountry permit immediately played in my mind. I took out my bear spray, got low and backed away slowly from the bear. I talked to him nice and once I felt a safe enough distance away, I got my phone out to record wondering if these would be my last moments. Any sudden or unexpected behaviors by me could have turned this curious grizzly into a defensive one. He followed me down the trail, off the trail and eventually shook his body, which let me know I could relax a little. Once he turned away I rejoiced, knowing I would live to see another day and have an amazing encounter story to share. After all is said and done, l’d still choose the bear. #manvsbear #glaciernationalpark #montana #bearcountry #grizzlybear ♬ original sound – TwoBraidsOnTrail
Shaking and with fear in her voice, Wylie spoke to the grizzly bear, saying “You’re OK, you’re OK,” and “Please go, please go.”
“Any sudden or unexpected behaviors by me could have turned this curious grizzly into a defensive one,” Wylie wrote. “He followed me down the trail, off the trail and eventually shook his body, which let me know I could relax a little.
“Once he turned away I rejoiced, knowing I would live to see another day and have an amazing encounter story to share.”