6th August
0 Miles
Grants Village, Yellowstone NP (1790.3)
I looked around the expansive dining hall at the Grants Village Restaurant in Yellowstone National Park. Of all the gentleman dining I was the only one not wearing a collared shirt.
I must admit my appearance is unkept. Long uncombed hair, scruffy beard with bags under my eyes from long weeks of not enough sleep. Then there is my clothing. My down jacket is torn in many places, held together with duct tape and the same tape I use for blisters. My shorts have a rip the whole length of the rear end, exposing my butt to the masses. My mind and body resemble my appearance. I’m worn out. This trail is so much harder than I thought.
Later I organised my backcountry permits. I had to stay another day in Grants Village, a zero. No backcountry permits available. So I did what my body told me to do. Rest and eat.
I heard through the hiker grapevine that a thru hiker that I hiked with earlier in my hike was mauled by a Grizzly bear. He is fine, a couple of scratches and damage to his backpack. I believe he is the first thru hiker ever to be mauled by a Grizzly Bear. It occurred several miles south of Togwotee Lodge near a place called Sheriden Pass.
Turns out that the problem bears from Yellowstone are relocated to this area. Same area where one walked through my campsite the other night. Would have been nice to know earlier. I bought some bear spray, finally. At least it makes me feel safer while hiking solo. This would not be the first hiker mauled by a Grizzly on the CDT this year. A couple of weeks later while hiking in Glacier National Park I met another CDT hiker mauled by a Grizzly. Stay Tuned.
Next – Day 112 Trail Reunion
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I am impressed with the way you have attached your bear spray to your backpack strap. Did the bear spray come with the mesh bag, or did you get it separately, and, if so, from where?
The OspreyPacks have a mesh pocket on the strap, the bee sprays fits perfectly inside.
That grizzly bear account is crazy scary. Being the bear bait I am I would have to carry spray and hike with friends (or strangers)! Stay safe out there.
Hopefully no more encounters for me, that’s your job
We all need to remember not to judge people based on their appearances. Thank you for the reminder! If someone avoids you because of your rugged appearance, they are surely missing out on meeting a great person and hearing some amazing stories from your travels and adventures. I am so glad you have bear spray now. Please keep it by your side every minute of the day! These bear tales give me instant anxiety.
I agree but society is society we are judgemental people
May some Dow Chemical fellow find a smelling that bear dislike. Then spray that on your tent and close your eyes. A skunk may help.
I think the same smell would keep me away too!
Keep that spray very handy ar night too ay..
I sleep with it now
So glad/lucky that grizzly just passed by your tent at Sheridan Pass. That must feel just as scary now (since hearing about the other hiker) as it was scary to wake up and see bear tracks! Take care and don’t sleep with your food any more!
No more sleeping with food I think
Ah man, dude. What shall I say. Fcking CDT! 😉 (the smiley is only to be politically correct)
Embracing the brutality
No back country permits ? So what is the solution?
Backcountry permits are needed for camping not hiking. I called into the backcountry office to get them organised. Phoning ahead would have been best but I rarely know how far I will walk in a day so planning permits days and weeks in advance is not possible for me. The Rangers were very helpful and accomodating
Your appearance is fine ….full of character ….so pleased to see the Bear Spray …a zero day will do you good .
I feel safer now, I still look like a homeless person, which I guess I am in a roundabout way