Reader reaction: Backcountry self defense
A little follow-up on last week’s post about self-defense in the backcountry…
First of all, thanks to everyone who participated in the poll. I asked the question, “What do you do for self-defense in the backcountry?” Four possible answers were listed.
Of the 85 votes cast, 41 (48 percent) said they carry a firearm. Twenty people (24 percent) said they don’t worry about self-defense in the backcountry. Sixteen said they would use a knife, axe or hiking poles to defend themselves (19 percent) and another eight (9 percent) bring pepper spray.
The topic is diverse, as you have to think about defense against animals as well as people.
Most people agree that people are the bigger threat, but when it comes to backcountry risks, attacks – human or animal – are extremely rare.
In addition to the comments I received here, I got more via Facebook and still more on the 14ers.com forum. A sampling:
Ian from Tecumseh writes that he would take a shotgun. After living in Alaska for some time, he opts for something with power, albeit something bulky. “If there was a bear it would be very light then. I carried one in Alaska, came across a bear. I did not shoot, it ran off. It (the gun) was very light from that point on.”
Point taken.
Steven from Shawnee had one word of advice: “Prevention!”
Augie from Denver goes for a handgun, something light enough not to be a bother. “I have a small .380 that I take. It’s just enough for me to be comfortable with.”
Jim from Colorado Springs gives this perspective: “In my mind, it’s a matter of probabilities and cost/benefit. You’re far more likely to be injured or killed in a fall than in an attack (human or animal) in the … backcountry. Also, in the unlikely event of an attack, it’s possible to defend yourself to some extent with materials on hand (sticks and rocks), so it’s not as helpful to carry a weapon around. An ice axe (or whippet) is a good compromise, since it’s a general safety tool as well as a sharp pointy thing, so you’re not just wasting pack weight on something that will be used once every 100 years.”
Leigh from Chicago says this: “I just hope for safety in numbers — I have yet to backpack solo, but I would likely prefer to be armed if I choose to do so. When dayhiking alone, I usually carry mace and a small knife.”
Lots of food for thought. In my experience, I’ve found that my grade school playground was more threatening than the backcountry. I even went to a church volleyball game where I faced a greater threat (from a person) than anything I’ve run up against on the trail.
Preparation, however, is not something to be undervalued. Whatever length you go to accomplish that, the end result should be constant: to be safe.
Bob Doucette
bdoucette@opubco.com
Backcountry self defense: How do you protect yourself on the trail?
So here’s a few stories, and then a topic most of us don’t like to talk about when it comes to backcountry issues. The topic: Self defense. Here goes…
Last week, musician and avid hiker Taylor Mitchell was killed by coyotes while on a solo hike in eastern Canada.
About two months ago, two women hiking in Colorado were attacked by a knife-wielding man. They fought him off with their hiking poles, and the man was later arrested.
Two facts of life in the backcountry. Sometimes wildlife encounters don’t go well for people, though coyote attacks are extremely rare. And more often than not, people are the most dangerous things someone might encounter.
I’m reminded of a couple of stories I heard from people I met in Montana, which is famous for its big game and big predators.
One involved a Texas preacher who moved up to Montana to pastor a church there. He liked to hike in Colorado and New Mexico, but wasn’t expecting the encounters he got in Big Sky country. First, he got treed by a moose. Don’t be fooled into thinking moose are just docile plant eaters. Moose are some of the most dangerous wild animals in North America. On another trip, he was hiking along a steep ridge when he saw a bear. The bear ran up the slope with ease, but had no interest in him. But the speed at which the bear moved gave him pause. Last, he ran into a mountain lion which stalked him all the way back to his car. At this point, the pastor realized that he was going to have to arm himself if he wanted to do any more hiking in Montana.
Then there’s the truly scary story of a woman whose family runs a guide service. It was her turn to watch the camp while her husband went out in the field to hunt with some clients. The woman heard her horses acting up, then saw the source of their anxiety: an old, nasty and ill-tempered grizzly bear. She’d brought a lever-action rifle with her, and it’s a good thing, too. The bear charged her. She got off five shots, hitting the bear twice. One slug broke the bear’s shoulder. She later tracked the animal down and finished it off. But she easily could have been that bear’s supper.
These tales bring up the often sticky topic of self defense in the backcountry.
I was reading a piece on woodsmonkey.com on this subject. The author had some interesting points. Let’s go over your options for self defense, with some help from our friends at woodsmonkey.com:
Pepper spray. Non-lethal, and to use it does not take pinpoint accuracy of a firearm. Many pepper sprays are particularly effective against predators that rely on scent, such as bears, canines and big cats. People are likewise deterred by pepper sprays. Downside is the effects of wind and the relatively close proximity to your target you have to be in order to be effective.
Knives, hiking poles and other hand-held weapons. Not as bulky or controversial as a firearm. Such weapons have multiple uses beyond self defense, will probably be in your pack anyway and won’t be susceptible to weather or the elements. The women in Colorado used hiking poles to fend off their attacker. Better than nothing, but to use these things as weapons means you’re in direct contact with your attacker. If this is a bear or a mountain lion, your chances are not good.
Firearms. A gun is the great equalizer. A defense can be made from a safer distance than with your other options, and with proper training a person with a gun can shoot accurately and effectively. A high enough caliber weapon will stop just about anything. The downside is the limited use of a gun for your other backpacking needs, the added weight and bulk, the risk of accidental discharge and the fact that they aren’t legal to carry in some places. You might also find that some people just aren’t comfortable around folks who are packing heat.
Common sense, however, is one way to bring down the risks of being attacked in the wild, regardless of who or what the attacker is. Hiking with people is safer than going alone. Making noise as you go will scare most animals, even predators, away. Being aware of your surroundings is key. And when camping, store your food in a manner which prevents animals from seeing and smelling your stash.
Bob Doucette
Take this poll, and feel free to comment here or e-mail me:
Quartz Mountain Fall Gathering coming; new ski season openings
News and notes from the great outdoors…
Quartz Mountain Fall Gathering
Baldy Point, otherwise known as Quartz Mountain.
I’ve been told that this weekend is the Fall Gathering for climbers at Baldy Point in Quartz Mountain State Park. The Fall Gathering is one of two annual events at Baldy Point, considered to be the prime rock climbing destination in Oklahoma and one of the finest in the Southwest. The Fall Gathering is usually on the first weekend of November.
Here’s a link about Baldy Point: http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/151409/Baldy-Point-Quartz-Mtn-.html
I’ve been trying to find information on this, but haven’t been able to. It’s not like I can be there anyway; work is going to get in the way. But I’m sure many climbers from Oklahoma and beyond will be there. If you’re planning on being there or have information on the Fall Gathering, reply here or e-mail me. I’d love to know more and would like to see pictures from any activities that may be going on there this weekend.
More ski season openings
Ski season opens at Copper Mountain this week.
About a month ago I mentioned some early openings in ski country, namely the Oct. 7 opening at Loveland and, two days later, Arapaho Basin.
More snow in the high country has meant more places are ready for skiers and boarders. Copper Mountain opens Friday; Winter Park on Nov. 18; and Steamboat Springs on Nov. 25.
All of these places are pretty close to Denver, so it’s a quick trip from there to the slopes. As soon as we start seeing regular ski reports, I’ll be posting them. Just one reason to love winter!
Bob Doucette
bdoucette@opubco.com
