I found a short hike at Lake Minnewanka (we love the local place names), but after a mile we came across a barrier and bear warning sign. This was the season of Buffalo Berries, when grizzly bears come down into valleys to consume several kilograms of berries daily in preparation for hibernation. Many trails are closed, but this route remained open, which is partly why I chose it. What the guide book failed to tell us, which the sign did, was that hikers in bear country must travel in groups of four or more, and carry bear spray. There were two of us, with no bear spray.
A group of American tourists joined us, and so now there were six of us, but still no bear spray. We debated, and all decided that we were not too worried about bears, but were frightened of Park Rangers. According to the sign adjacent to the barrier, being found on a trail in bear country while not carrying bear spray could incur a fine of $25000. We all turned away from the main trail, and followed a riverside track for a few minutes, no doubt still technically in bear country, before Chantal and I decided to return to the Lake, leaving the American’s to carry on and take their chances with the grizzlies. I am relieved to report that we saw them again, un-mauled, and presumably un-fined,shortly afterwards.
hahahaha that is some place name ha! - what a beautiful place it is - love the way governments like to make money - I think if people are brave or stupid enough to wander in grizzly country without said bear spray they do so at their own risk and the grizzlies get a bit of protein in their diet ha ha - is the bear spray like Batmans Shark Repellant LOL
Beautiful shot. I love the angles and the perspective in this, the way the wash from the boat ruffles the calm of the lake and the way the snow just dusts the top of that hill on the right. Great story, too. If only we had 'snake spray' to carry with us in our country! Fav. for me.
I would have steered away from the grizzlies as well!
FAV