Some years ago, back when I was an able backpacker in the Washington State Olympic Mountains, I lost a long time hiking partner. After probably doing 700 miles together, cutting the Olympics in half East to West, and North to south, she finally quit me because she figgured out that the black bear was my totem animal.

I can't dispute it ... because I've been on a first name basis with the little 300 pound black bears. They've never threatened me, nor I them. In fact I've enjoyed their company often.

The last event happened as we were heading out from the Encahnted Valley after a nine day hike. I came up a swail and came face to face, maybe 20', from this beautiful male, in full September glossy coat.

I stopped and started talking to him, but my partner wasn't paying attention and she walked right into my back. I said, quietly, "bear ... stand still."

She freaked and turned and ran. Her boyfriend was able to grab her pack and stop her. I walked toward the bear slowly, quietly talking while th other two tippy toed back down the trail.

After a while, the bear got bored and wandered off.

I prefer some bears to most people. CHEERS, bob(deckman)nelson