Watch: Hiker lets bear pass within petting distance on narrow trail
Without other apparent options, a hiker on a narrow trail overlooking Southern California did what she sensed was the only thing she could do when a bear came sauntering down the trail right toward her. She stayed calm and still, and let it pass.
The encounter occurred last month on the Mt. Wilson Trail above Sierra Madre, located east of Pasadena. The bear came within petting distance of Victoria Pham, whose previous bear training helped her assess the situation.
“This is a Black Bear (in California) and they are generally easily scared off,” Pham wrote on Instagram. “I used to work in Yosemite National Park where I’ve gone through bear training and worked in Search & Rescue, so I’m quite familiar with bear behavior and body language.
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“I do recognize that it is a BEAR and can do serious damage. I was already on trail where I wouldn’t be able to outrun the bear going downhill or engage the bear to go back up the trail since there were hikers ahead.
“Know that if I was in Montana or anywhere else in the world, I most definitely would NOT be standing there letting it pass.”
Pham posted video of the close encounter on Instagram (which can be seen below on most servers).
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“There were actually a few people behind me,” she told KTLA. “They weren’t in the video, but they were talking to me, like ‘Hey, what are you doing?’ I’m like, ‘I’m going to let it pass.’ They asked, ‘Are you sure?’ and I said, ‘Yeah, I’m going to let it pass. It’s the best thing to do right now.’”
Fortunately, she was right.