I had a lot of people ask me if I carried a gun on any of my thru-hikes, or that I was an idot for NOT carrying a firearm.
Just saw this article posted tonight, and thought I’d share…
-lakewood
Lakewood
Guns on the PCT
system
#2
Be careful on the reading, he is saying guns are no more effective than bear spray (which seems reasonable) but what he is really saying is: Don’t think a gun means you don’t have to practice smart hiking and camping.
What he fails to say is–the same thing applies to carrying pepper spray. It’s not a substitute for smart hiking.
The objective of any hiker should be to never place himself in a situation where a deterrent is used, gun, pepper spray, or Obi-Wan’s light sabre.
What would be interesting is a study on the level of training between a gun and pepper spray. I’ve fired more guns than I have cans of pepper spray…
(hmm, looks over at his never used pepper spray and then out the window at the two dogs next door who bark all night)
:lol
If I ever carry a gun on a hike, it would be for protection from other people not bears, and the biggest threat to me would likely be from myself, trying to balance across a log over a creek.
Oh and there are no Griz on the PCT. Just black bears and they rarely attack humans. There are, however, herds of hippies. In which case just holster some Old Spice to your pack straps and you’re good-to-go.
:boy :girl
Jason