Our first morning on the river, Dave, who looked more like a bear than a river guide, warned us, "When we get to our first camp, don't walk downriver, eh? The wind usually blows upriver and the bears fishing in the rapids can't hear you. If you walk up river, they won't smell you either, and you don't want to surprise a grizzly, eh?" (His tone was teasing and his eyes twinkled, but the pepper spray hanging from his belt looked pretty serious.) 

"If you see a grizzly, don't run. Look big. Throw your hat at 'em, or spit on a stick and throw it. Once a bear gets that human scent, he'll usually leave." Then he added, "And whatever ya do, stay away from the bush, eh?" I look at him, a bit perplexed. How were four women on a five-day river trip with ten men supposed to stay away from the bush?

"Don't worry, eh," he laughed, "we'll turn our heads the other way." 

I soon learned that on the rivers in British Columbia, when the guides leave their rafts, they not only carry pepper spray but they keep their rifles at the ready (unlike the Utah river guides on the Colorado, who carry water jugs and sunscreen with them).

I can't help but wonder what Laura learned when she was researching these GREAT COLORADO BEAR STORIES. Did you really climb into a bear den, Laura? How cool is that! I can't wait to hear "the story behind the stories." Laura's first signing will be in Fort Collins, Colorado, at Everyday Joe's Coffee House on March 31st. Check out the complete book tour schedule on Laura's Facebook page.

If you'd like to learn more about Devils Tower, read Standing Witness by Jeanne Rogers.  If you'd like to read "Prime Habitat," the complete essay about my Babine River trip with the bear biologists, please contact me.

Want to come on a river trip where the guides don't carry rifles and pepper spray? Check out 15 Years of Writing on the River.  Thank you!  Page