Have had a fantastic time in the California Dreamin' part of our trip, spent 8 days in our tarptent which served us well - even though we camped one night at over 9,000 feet and it snowed. We froze our butts off, but thank goodness for good NZ merino clothes - probably saved our lives!! We woke to a white world, stunningly beautiful, and climbed to over 10,000 feet in the snow - not sure if this was to keep warm or because we are mad. The tops were going to be untenable, so we had to return to the slightly lower climes.
Mono Lake was as lovely as we remembered it, and we had a couple of recovery days there. The Tioga Pass is amazing, on the way back over we spent ages just admiring the views and taking a zillion photos.
The road to Kings Canyon was seriously unbelievable, fantastic drop-offs one side, towering cliffs on the other. We shouldered packs again, and headed for our campsite. Just as we reached it, Rob turned to me and said "there's a bear and I'm not joking". Coming towards us on the trail was a pretty big brown bear, and it was so scary that the chance to get the photo of a lifetime passed me by! We hollered and biffed rocks, Rob even bravely advanced on the beast, and with a disdainful look he finally lumbered away. It was really really hard to sleep that night, and a couple of other campers were so spooked later the same evening that they came and camped right beside us for a bit of security.
The road to Kings Canyon was seriously unbelievable, fantastic drop-offs one side, towering cliffs on the other. We shouldered packs again, and headed for our campsite. Just as we reached it, Rob turned to me and said "there's a bear and I'm not joking". Coming towards us on the trail was a pretty big brown bear, and it was so scary that the chance to get the photo of a lifetime passed me by! We hollered and biffed rocks, Rob even bravely advanced on the beast, and with a disdainful look he finally lumbered away. It was really really hard to sleep that night, and a couple of other campers were so spooked later the same evening that they came and camped right beside us for a bit of security.
On the way out next day I had my camera at the ready, and I bravely went in the lead. Next minute I am turning to Rob and saying "there's a bear and I'm not joking". Sure enough, a beautiful light brown bear wandered across the trail - but behind her were two cubs. This was looking bad - she saw us and got herself between us and the cubs, then as we tried to continue she came down a log towards us. I had the camera poised, but as she advanced Rob pushed me back along the track, ruining my second chance at a photo of a lifetime - but possibly saving my life so I'll forgive him.
Whoa! What an encounter! I've been hiking and camping in Montana for years and never had an experience with a bear like that. I'm glad the bear didn't hurt anyone and you guys are special to have that close encounter.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you are doing a blog. I can keep up on your adventures now. I know what you mean about finding time to write. I'm way behind too!
Love reading travelling friends' blogs so now you've made your blog debut you'll have to continue. I'll make it preferential reading every day - so don't let me down. Photos of brown bears are most welcome but I'll settle for photos of anything relevant to your travels, or not for that matter. Well done Rob re: the bear heroics - keep up the good work. Love to you both and Em if you're still with her.
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