Black bear kills teen during mountain race in Alaska

The Pilot

Joined: Dec 4, 2008

Posts: 22,849

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

4:07p, 6/19/17

AG

Link

I ran the Anchorage Marathon last year and saw a medium sized black bear around mile 11, luckily he didn't charge. It still made my heart skip a beat and I had a race official on a bike within close proximity.

2 edits

AggieOO

Joined: Oct 12, 1999

Posts: 63,847

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

4:12p, 6/19/17

link doesn't work, but i've seen this posted about 50 times in the past day on FB.

really sucks/sad, but this is a freak thing.

Presley OBannons Sword

Joined: Dec 31, 2014

Posts: 9,760

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

4:31p, 6/19/17

I'll be in Denali in five days. Hope I live.

1

coop-aero-06

Joined: Sep 30, 2003

Posts: 3,669

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

6:18p, 6/19/17

AG

Very sad to hear about that. As I've been trail running a lot more over the last few years, I've talked to numerous people who have encountered bears. All of them say that there really isn't anything to worry about as long as you aren't threatening the bear or as long as you don't run across a mama who is protecting her cubs. So I tend to believe the official who said that it's as rare as getting struck by lightning for a bear to just attack like that.

It's just a good reminder to be vigilant when out on the trails. Aside from trying to actually run, I'm also alternating between looking 2-6 feet in front of me so I don't accidentally step on a rattlesnake, and looking at my surroundings for other wildlife.

option short side

Joined: Sep 9, 2016

Posts: 2,472

User Profile

Private Message

Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

In reply to Presley OBannons Sword • 2:02p, 6/20/17

AG

Presley OBannons Sword said:
I'll be in Denali in five days. Hope I live.

Went to Denali for the first time time last Summer. I had the absolute best time of my life. We stayed 3 days but really only hiked 1. If you haven't been you must go see the sled dog kennels. Those dogs are absolutely beautiful and physically amazing

Presley OBannons Sword

Joined: Dec 31, 2014

Posts: 9,760

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

3:42p, 6/20/17

there was just another fatal black bear mauling in Alaska

Presley OBannons Sword

Joined: Dec 31, 2014

Posts: 9,760

User Profile Ignore User Stop Ignoring

How long do you want to ignore this user?

24 hours One week Permanently Cancel

In reply to option short side • 3:43p, 6/20/17

option short side said:
Presley OBannons Sword said:
I'll be in Denali in five days. Hope I live.
Went to Denali for the first time time last Summer. I had the absolute best time of my life. We stayed 3 days but really only hiked 1. If you haven't been you must go see the sled dog kennels. Those dogs are absolutely beautiful and physically amazing

same for me actually. I took sort of a last minute trip there last summer, ended up doing three days and two nights in the park. wanted to go back this year to do it right. hopefully doing it right does not include being eaten.