Hello Guys…Here is the question…A week from today I am going to be hiking Newfound Gap to Davenport Gap in the Smokies… I was wondering about the bear bells. Are they necessary or is it just an annoyance to the peace and serenity of the woods. Do most people use them or not…Just wondering…I don’t want to make an idiot of myself…Thanks Hootie
Hootie
You don’t need the bells. Biggest thing is not to leave your pack unattended. If you DO see a female with a cub back up slowly, make yourself look large. Wait until they’re out of site and then go on. They’ll all be at the parks in the dumpsters or trying to raid picnic areas or still asleep. It’s the mice! Besides, there aren’t any bear in the Smokys, this waiter stoner dude at the TGIF’s in Gatlinburg said the Chinese mafia got them all for thier gal bladders.(enter Cheech Marin(sp))
Bushwhack
Oh, the carnage and blood. And Santa might show. There was a story from a Ranger at Big Meadows, a bear appeared and ripped a doe apart in front of a pack of school kids. Lots of screaming. Ain’t nature cool? I recommend sleeping with the balony and peanut butter so as to properly scent yourself.
Bushwhack
Bears have a name for those bells as well.
Nothing like letting them know you’re around…they call them DINNER BELLS!
Doc Holiday
It just doesn’t make sense. If there’s danger on the AT, it’s stuff like lightning and human maniacs, not bears. Bears are great because they give you the feeling of being in the wilderness without being much of a threat statistically.
Bear bells on the AT will detract from your experience as well as other hikers. Have fun, you won’t have any bear problems as long as you don’t use a pizza for a pillow.
Colter
OK…The bell stays at home!!! Thanks for the input…I got the message loud and clear!!
Hootie
I read in an AT journal about the thru-hikers afraid to climb
over a fence and hike thru a herd of cows. I still laugh at
the image that comes to mind.
Cows are the most benign animals ever. Just watch out for the
bull!-)
Scamp