Note to Aussie travelers

[Toolin Around]

Just saw a show on SBS about a guy (translation - idiot) traveling in Alaska. Something to keep in mind... If you see a 1200 plus lb CARNIVORE that goes by the name of GRIZZLY BEAR that's chasing a Moose across the road you happen to be standing on DON'T RUN AFTER IT WITH YOUR CAMERA TO SEE WHAT IT'S UP TO. Not unless you want to be dinner. The moron says "It good that the Grizzly has poor eye sight..." Absolute Farkin idiot. There's an old saying by those that hunt grizzlies... You don't hunt them they hunt you... You just have to be patient enough to wait till they find you... I know you're a tough bunch but I think my money's on the Grizzly. Not that too many of you all will be traveling to Alaska, they have about 2 hours of summer and then it starts snowing again.

It brings back an encounter I had a few years ago when I was on a job in the far North of British Colmbia... I was in a place called Dawson Creek (not quite hell but you can see it from there). The spring thaw was fully underway. Me, being the avid fisherman (and not too bad at it I might add) had a day off so I went into a sporting good store and was loading up on gear hoping I would find a nice virgin stream when one of the staff comes up to me and said "You're not from around here are you?" "No" I said... "Didn't thing so" he says. "If you go out there alone without a gun you'll get yerself fu^&in killed by a grizzly" The conversation went on a bit further... Needless to say I put the gear back and walked out of the sporting goods store and decided my best course of action was to go back to the hotel and watch TV.

[RETIRED]

After having fish and chips?

[journeyman Mick]

Good point Matt, it's always wise to ask for local advice, where ever you are. We get some travellers hereabouts both from overseas and down south who are quite annoyed when you point out that it's very unwise to swim in the ocean (life threatening stinging jelly fish of several species) and that rivers both tidal and even right upstream can also be dangerous (saltwater crocodiles). Just remember, accidents are nature's way of ensuring survival of the fittest (and least stupid ).

Mick

[joe greiner]

I lived in Anchorage for most of 1985. In Winter, sunrise about 10 am; sunset about 2 pm; might as well have been working night shift. About once a month, there was a horrible news item about someone's meeting with Griz. Griz claws are each bigger than your finger, and at least twice as fast. They can take off half of your face before you know what happened. Griz chasing a moose? Once while driving along a dirt road, a moose jumped out of the woods and proceeded ahead of me. The moose wasn't running, just moseying along. I glanced at my speedometer: 25 mph (40 kph). You can't run that fast. Griz can.

The standard advice for hiking is to make noise; critters tend to avoid it. Many tie bells on their backpacks. I also used to sing, and also practice telling jokes. Same joke, over and over, experimenting with timing.

Alaska has some of the most spectacular scenery in creation. Well worth the visit. Just proceed with caution.

Joe

[Greg Q]

: 25 mph (40 kph). You can't run that fast. Griz can....

The standard advice for hiking is to make noise; critters tend to avoid it. Many tie bells on their backpacks. ..

Alaska has some of the most spectacular scenery in creation. Well worth the visit. Just proceed with caution.

Joe

I spent some time up there, and north in the 70's. It is indeed spectacular, as is the entire Arctic to southern eyes. The polar bears can run about as fast as Griz too when they want, and pack a set of claws like a chainsaw massacre.

Those bear bells are good...you see used ones advertised up there a lot, usually with the line "Only eaten once"

[Toolin Around]

I spent some time up there, and north in the 70's. It is indeed spectacular, as is the entire Arctic to southern eyes. The polar bears can run about as fast as Griz too when they want, and pack a set of claws like a chainsaw massacre.

Those bear bells are good...you see used ones advertised up there a lot, usually with the line "Only eaten once"

All the loggers have them... And a sawn off 12 gauge pump action shot gun loaded with slugs close at hand. A minor detail that's often left out

[Iain]

And the story about the randy Jack Russell with bears and a 38 calibre.........

[AlexS]

And the story about the randy Jack Russell with bears and a 38 calibre.........

Don't leave us in suspense Iain.