Bears are powerful creatures, both in reality and in mythology. As we find ourselves marching toward winter, the bears of Montreat are more active as they prepare for their winter torpor. It is during this time, when we are more likely to run into bears. They are seen at dumpsters and trash cans, often leaving behind remnants of their scavenging. Bears are also more active in the woods, devouring whatever they can find.
I ran into a bear last week (pictured above) along Graybeard trail just below Potts Cove gap. As luck would have it, everything was in my favor for the encounter. Normally bears detect a human presence in the forest long before people get a chance to see them. On this day, the wind and the roar of the creek masked my approach. I heard the sound of timber being rent and looked up and saw this bear ripping open a fallen tree. He was busy looking for termites, maggots, and other delicacies that inhabit rotting wood. I approached to a distance of six paces (measured afterwards) which was as close as I felt I could get undetected. My ursine neighbor continued to work along the length of the log as I slowly got out my camera. He must have heard the camera work despite the nearby rushing water because he looked up at me. I remained still, just another natural part of the forest. He went back to his meal. Then he must have sensed something else because he began to gallop. After two strides he looked back to check again to see if there was an interloper in the woods, again I watched in stillness. Satisfied that there was nobody there, he began to work his way up the hill, eating things as he went.
Anytime we are fortunate enough to see or spend time with bears it conjures up a sense of wonder. Bears are not only the largest creatures in our mountains but also icons. They represent power, healing, nurturing, and many other things. As children most of us were given small representations of bears. They are among the first animals we learn to recognize. Despite all this, few of us actually get to see them. So if you are fortunate enough to run across one, enjoy it.
Fun Bear Facts
-During their pre-hibernation period (known as hyperphagia) bears can consume up to 20,000 calories a day.
-No animal of equal size is as strong as a bear
-Less than 1 person per year is killed by a black bear
-Male black bears are about 33% larger than females
-Black bears are adroit at climbing and will often take to the trees when unsure about a situation
-Black bear vocalization has some human qualities to it and there have been cases where mother bears will hear an infant crying and come to make sure the child is alright
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Jason Nanz comes to Montreat from Roanoke, VA. He is a 2006 graduate of Roanoke College, an Eagle Scout, long-time Montreat Ranger and a highly experienced outdoorsman. Jason runs Montreat's Wilderness School and can be reached at montreatwilderness@gmail.com
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