Bears scare the hell out of me. My husband and I went to Alaska backpacking before we had kids and stayed in the back country in Denali National Park. It was beautiful but in the back of my mind was always the thought of what if that big grizzly comes this way. Didnt help that we had to have a bear brief from the ranger before leaving for the back country. He told us if you get in trouble with a bear you need to try to identify what sort of bear it is because the way you should react is different for the two types of bear. MY GOD Im an Aussie I dont know one bear from the other. My husband tried to make me feel better by saying hey you dont need to remember all this just remember to run faster than the person you are with.
We survived but I cant say it was a relaxing holiday. Tents sure do seem thin when large wildlife is around.
The most effective way to do it, is to do it.
Amelia Earhart
2005 Trek 5000 road/Avocet 02 40W
2006 Colnago C50 road/SSM Atola
2005 SC Juliana SL mtb/WTB Laser V