i do the same as grog. make myself seem as confident as possible. i make it seem is someone is going to try to attack me, its going to be the last thing they wish they did.

i've gotten a few of those emails about what to do in certain situations. think for the most part they are good advice. not sure if you've ever gotten one of those.

not sure about pepper spray. i know people carry it up here for bears, but its hard because you have to take in account of the wind. if your in the wrong wind direction your going to get sprayed. also, if you don't spray and get out of there, you still get some in your lungs. i remember being around where someone was peper sprayed and i had a hard time breathing and i was quite a distance off.

with weapons, thats another story. you have to have a special permit (i know in phoenix anyhow) to have a concealed weapon. i'd be afraid of someone turning on me and using it. though i do carry a hand gun and a radio (no cell phones here) but that's incase of a bear, not person. odds of seeing another person are slim to none on most days.