Wildlife encounters
- Thread starter Alan
- Start date
cougarmeat
Well-known member
On the same PCT trail mentioned in Spooky Stories, just north of Crater Lake (south of Diamond Lake) I was on a trail and looking down a bit, maybe checking a compass reading. When I looked up, there was a black bear about 20 yards away.
Apparently, he/she looked up at the same time because we both seemed surprised and frozen in the moment. I reached for the whistle that's on the tether of my compass, but couldn't muster an "out breath" to blow it. I figured its real purpose was to have something to throw, which would not work either, as it was tied to the cord around my neck. The bear and I just stood there for a moment (i.e. forever), then the bear turned and ambled off.
But the most fear-inspiring event happened as I was walking through a fairly dense forested section. I heard what sounded like a freight train heading towards me. I even looked around for train tracks in the middle of the forest. In just a second or two, a fighter jet flew over. How low was he? I could see the pilot's face in the cockpit. The emotional impact (instant fear) almost brought me to tears.
Apparently, he/she looked up at the same time because we both seemed surprised and frozen in the moment. I reached for the whistle that's on the tether of my compass, but couldn't muster an "out breath" to blow it. I figured its real purpose was to have something to throw, which would not work either, as it was tied to the cord around my neck. The bear and I just stood there for a moment (i.e. forever), then the bear turned and ambled off.
But the most fear-inspiring event happened as I was walking through a fairly dense forested section. I heard what sounded like a freight train heading towards me. I even looked around for train tracks in the middle of the forest. In just a second or two, a fighter jet flew over. How low was he? I could see the pilot's face in the cockpit. The emotional impact (instant fear) almost brought me to tears.
Last edited:
