So what were they being rescued from? According to our source, they were on the Mt. Wilson toll road about a mile from the top when they encountered a very large bear. They fled behind the fence of a communications tower for shelter and called the authorities.
Says our source:
The male bear has been sighted before and I conjecture that we’ve not heard of it as the publicity could result in lookie loos flocking to catch a glimpse outweighing the safety factor of alerting the hiking public.
Bottom line is that anyone entering the foothills should be logically aware that our bears, lions, bobcats and rattle snakes have the right of way. From now through October all these creatures are a bit short of food and water and have offspring to protect and provide for and could be a little testy about bipeds invading their space.
At this point I would cite the boiler plate list of cautions when hiking but the experienced hikers and folks with an ounce of common sense have it figured out and all the others wouldn’t pay heed.
These two hikers got it right. Ease away, seek a little protection, call to reserve a one way flight home while bypassing TSA lines. No word on whether they had to disrobe before getting on board Air 5.
Photo: thanks to Raina Wessen, who caught this in her yard last year!
Raina says she is happy “her” bear may still be around.
But understands to use normal caution when living in the foothills. (She is 15)
Alice Wessen aka Mom
Snow said…
Regardless, the note about keeping it quiet is spot on. Coupla years ago we had a young male bear (wonder if it’s the same guy) wandering around our neighborhood (Palm between Fair Oaks and Marengo) and somehow the media got wind of it. Shortly there were media trucks parked bumper-to-bumper the entire length of the street. I could not get home for lunch. The bear freaked out, went up on to a roof while bawling unhappily, and everything took much longer than it would have had people simply left him alone. He ended up getting transported back into the hills somewhere, but within a week was seen around Eaton Canyon.
Helen said…
I hope the hikers got a bill for their ride.
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Alice said…
Raina says she is happy “her” bear may still be around.
But understands to use normal caution when living in the foothills. (She is 15)
Alice Wessen aka Mom
Tuesday, July 07, 2009 at 09:13 PM
Snow said…
Regardless, the note about keeping it quiet is spot on. Coupla years ago we had a young male bear (wonder if it’s the same guy) wandering around our neighborhood (Palm between Fair Oaks and Marengo) and somehow the media got wind of it. Shortly there were media trucks parked bumper-to-bumper the entire length of the street. I could not get home for lunch. The bear freaked out, went up on to a roof while bawling unhappily, and everything took much longer than it would have had people simply left him alone. He ended up getting transported back into the hills somewhere, but within a week was seen around Eaton Canyon.
Wednesday, July 08, 2009 at 11:04 AM