"The Great Smokey Mountains National Park is home to as many as 1800 bears (BEARS!!!!!) a density of more than 2 per square mile..."
As a higly sensitive and fragile city-girl I must confess that I prefer a somewhat lower Bear-density. According to the loverly guidebook I'm reading, these mountains also contain an especially aggresive sort of WASP, that I might mention can KILL or at least greatly incapacitate me. Also, there is a rather great risk of falling down mountain sides harming oneself quite nastily or the alternative of just getting lost and freezing to death.
Now back to the subject of bears (BEARS!!!!!!!) The guidebook kindly provides a guide as to handling an unforseen bear-confrontation.
"I you see a bear (!!) , remain watchful. Do not approach it. (Are they freaking kidding me???) If your presence causes a bear to change it's behaviour, you're too close. (!!!!!) If a bear (A BEAR!!!!!!!!) displays aggresive behaviour - making loud noises and runnig towards you - increase the distance between you and the bear by backing away slowly. The bear will probably do the same. Don't run lest the bear consider you prey!" .... here I find it appropriate to insert a mental image of myself running through the brush, screaming with my arms flapping over my head.
"If the BEAR continues to follow you, stand your ground . Talk loudly or shout at it. Try to intimidate the BEAR(!!!) Throw non-food objects or use a stout stick as a deterrent."
"...if all else fails, fight back aggressively with any available object."
......*
....!
I thouroughly regret ever reading this guide.
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