About bear spray and babies

There have been eleven people killed by grizzly bears in Glacier National Park since that shocking "Night of the Grizzlies" in August 1967.

The Park Service does not count the young man who disappeared on Mt. Sinopah in 1997 because they can't prove "Chocolate Legs" and her two cubs did it.

Those three bears were shot at Two Medicine the next year after another 18-year-old youth who was hiking alone was killed and eaten along the Scenic Point Trail.

As far as I know, I am the only person to go to the scene of every one of those fatal bear attacks. Why? Because I am a reporter . . . an old reporter.

With that bit of info as background, you can more readily understand a personal habit wherein I have loaned dozens of hikers a canister of "Counter Assault" bear spray.

Ask them to leave it at entrance stations or ranger stations when they are through hiking. I am especially uneasy when I see young couples with little kids headed for some place like Ptarmigan Tunnel or Poia Lake.

Out of dozens and dozens of loans over the last 10 years there hasn't been one person who has kept the spray. People who hike the backcountry are 99% good, honest folks.

Sometimes it is not practical to loan someone a canister, so if their plans call for extensive wilderness hiking I usually encourage them to buy one, read the instructions . . . and, "KEEP IT WHERE YOU CAN GET IT . . . READILY."

Bear spray can't be taken on airlines so that is a problem for some. I never make such a big deal out of carrying spray that I terrorize anyone or discourage them from hiking the park, and usually point out that although Over the Hillers have had the canisters out a few times, we've never actually used it on a bear. On each other? Yes. On a bear? No.

Received the following letter last week, mailed from Des Moines, Iowa, on June 29:

"Dear George and the Gang.

Just wanted to drop you a note and say thank you for insisting that we carry bear spray while hiking GNP.

After visiting with you in Kalispell on Friday we purchased some spray from the camp store at Swiftcurrent Saturday morning.

We hiked to Iceberg Lake (no bergs) and Ptarmigan Tunnel (closed).

Saw one bear in the valley below Iceberg Trail. Then on Sunday, we ran across this mom and cub (two years old?) on the way down from Grinnell Glacier.

We came around an outcropping of rock and BAM! there they were, not more than 30 yards away. We backed up the trail to a safer distance and continued to watch and take pictures.

Although the bears never showed any aggression it was somewhat comforting to know we had some sort of protection just in case.

Many thanks again from your greenhorn friends from Iowa. Russ and Donna Lemly."

Included in the letter were four photos of the grizzlies. In one the mother bear appears very close and the big cub is standing up on hind legs beside her. Both are staring at the folks from Iowa.

I met Russ and Donna Lemly after they had bought my books in the park and came to the radio station in Kalispell to get them autographed.

Daughter Wendy sent them to the Legacy Cafe where the Gang has coffee every morning. Donna then had other members of the Gang autograph the books on a page where they appeared and Russ took our picture.

While on the topic of letters, last fall I met a personable young couple from Plymouth, Minn. Saw them standing a bit forlorn at Siyeh Bend and easily figured out what their problem was, so turned my car around and took them down to Sunrift George.

Now from their recent letter to me:

"We were there because we'd tried to hike Siyeh Pass Trail and were turned back by several feet of snow at the top . . . because we'd left our car at the other end of the trail, we were contemplating the long walk back down . . . when a friendly gent pulled over on his way up to Logan Pass . . . . . The man himself had kindly eyes—and the weathered look of someone who spent a lot of his life in the outdoors.

Although Christine and I aren't really the hitchhiking type, this guy looked nice enough. Besides, we really needed the ride!"

During the trip back to their car the couple told me Christine was expecting and I sold them a book. Asked them to let me know when the baby was born.

"Well, George, we're parents! Our twin girls, Carmen Avery and Chloe Carol were born Valentine's Day 2005.

They are both doing well . . . We're looking forward to taking the girls to Glacier when they're older on our way to Logan Pass, to telling them about the time we got a lucky ride from the - - - George Ostrom. Sincerely, Chris, Christine, Carmen and Chloe McLaren."

Left that blank where they used a flattering adjective. Accompanying the McLaren's letter was a card picturing two of the cutest little baby girls you ever saw.

There are good reasons and touching rewards for giving people rides . . . and loaning out bear spray.