If you plan to carry bear spray, make sure it is where you can easily reach it. When my husband and I hiked in Glacier NP and there were lots of bears, we came across a guy who was coming around a bend saw a bear and it saw him. The guy froze, the bear looked at him like he was giving him some thought and lucky for the hiker, the bear turned around and went the other way. The guy had bear spray but it was IN his backpack. If that bear had not turned around, there was no way he would have had enough time to take off the pack, open it up, get the spray and be ready for the bear in time. According to this guy it was that close and that fast.

He told us this story because he saw we had ours on our backpack straps. Before our trip I made sure to know the feel of the canister. Although I didn't open any to get a feel for how it sprayed, I did look at them carefully, feel the safety tab, practiced putting my finger into the hole and simulate removing the safety tab. Think: wind direction. I was afraid to remove the safety tab, what if I couldn't put it back on? Anyway, I also practiced with my backpack on. Made sure I had it on my left shoulder strap (I'm right handed) and I could easily reach, remove from holder and hold it out without looking at what I was doing. Think: wind direction. I figured if I did come across a bear, I didn't want to take my eyes off of it.

Think: wind direction. Keep in mind wind direction when using anykind of spray. It's hard to remember in these moments, thats why I added it to my practice steps.

Alaska is beautiful! One day I hope to get to hike there too. Have a wonderful trip.