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Breaking Bread Journeys – Holy Lands Pilgrimage 2015

09 Sunday Aug 2015

Posted by beautyforashes11 in Uncategorized

≈ Comments Off on Breaking Bread Journeys – Holy Lands Pilgrimage 2015

Tags

Bethlehem, Cana, Church, Community, Conflict, Dead Sea, Ecclesia, fellowship, food, Galilee, Holy Land, Israel, Jenin, Jericho, Jerusalem, Nablus, Nazareth, Palestine, peace, Samaria, Tel Aviv, Winery, Yah Vashem

Our journey to the Holy Lands was more than we ever imagined. This trip of a lifetime felt like an eternity as we encountered such a wide mixture of environments and diversity of people. We left with a deep sense of humility, gratitude, and hope. Pro-Israel, pro-Palestine, it begins with sitting down at the table and enjoying a meal together. We pray that many more conversations around the table will occur as a result of what God is restoring in this special land.

The first stop was in Tel Aviv, a very metropolitan and secular city. We were able to enjoy time at the beach, basking in the beautiful Mediterranean sea, and then took a stroll with the group down to Old Jaffa for a seafood dinner watching the sunset over the port.

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Some of our conversations with the locals were enlightening, and we began to understand some of the views of the next generation in Israel. Being in such an antiquated and gorgeous port brought back nostalgia as I could smell that familiar fish scent my Dad used to wear coming home from work. Beginning the trip with a sense relaxation was good for Adrian and I as we were able to transition our minds and hearts from the fast pace of home.

On the return trip we also ended up spending a half-day in Tel Aviv because our flights were changed, and this beat 12 hours in the airport. The contrast between this city and Jerusalem is stark, while the distance between them is not more than an hour. We found the best schwarma and falafel pitas of our lives and enjoyed a leisurely stroll along a quaint pedestrian walkway.

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The first full day brought us to our first Biblical Site, which was Jacob’s Well inside of a Greek Orthodox Church. This is one of the sites that is considered by archaeologists to be most authentic, because, well, you can’t really move a well. The history dating this back to Jacob’s time is convincing. Adrian and I drank water from the well, and it was very cold and refreshing. Interestingly, it was 3 years ago to the day that we hit water when drilling a well in Nicaragua, which began our journey as Ecclesia members.

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Passing through a checkpoint into Area A of the West Bank, we entered Nablus. There are 4 areas in Israel, and ‘Area A’ has the most regulations regarding Palestinian and Israeli movement. Here, very few people are allowed in or out. As tourists, we were able to pass through after a soldier checked our bus and passports. They were all overjoyed to welcome us to their great city. I was impressed by the displays of hospitality, diversity of foods in the markets, and impressive quality of engineering in their buildings and streets.

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We stopped at a local soap factory which uses local olive trees to produce all-natural soap products and support local families. The women in our group wore head coverings out of respect, and we learned just how hot the desert sun can feel!

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A stroll through the market was met with kind smiles and offers to taste many food delicacies. The juicy dates were my favorite, and we got to see how a local treat, kanefah, is made. In hindsight, I should have purchased some saffron and other spices straight from the source. The sensory experience was unique and wonderful.

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Later, we enjoyed lunch with a women’s center that utilizes fresh foods to empower the local economy. Much of the water reservoirs and access to certain forms of agriculture are significantly restricted. This women’s center aims to help local farmers and also the women who may have lost their husbands or children. We had lunch with an Imam and talked about peace.  We hope for more of these conversations around the table.

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Later, we went to Mount Gerazim and visited with a local Samaritan high priest. He explained to us some of their rituals and beliefs, and then we took pictures together while he referred to me as ‘ginger’ girl because of my hair.  I was endeared 🙂

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An overlook of Nablus afforded us with breath-taking views of the entire country-side. We were able to see the small quarters of the refugee camps with a military watch tower behind us. Everyone had a great time, and the group was becoming great friends.

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11825077_10152885705901213_4057111828829186627_n*photo from Tania (thanks!)

Finally, as if you didn’t think the day could possible be over, we enjoyed a multi-course dinner at a local winery atop Mount Gerazim. We learned more about the Jewish lifestyle and met some very nice volunteer workers and the owner who ensured we had superb wine and food.

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Har Bracha - Cyndi and Team

Day 2 continued us through the West Bank town of Jenin, typically not included in a tourist itinerary, where we visited the Church of Saint George where Jesus healed the 10 lepers. In thinking about healings and the antiquity of the church (the 3rd oldest church in the world), I realized some things and ended up finding a really great friend in the process.

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Next, we visited an olive oil factory that specializes in fair trade practices for the local Palestinian farmers. The oils and spices were absolutely delicious (and now sold in the states at Whole Foods!).

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Our final stop before heading out was lunch at a very special winery. This winery, called Tulip, employees special-needs adults and provides them a living community with dignity and fellowship. We learned about how the winery, after several years of trying, finally earned Kosher status, showing regulators that the adult workers were more than capable of maintaining the stringent guidelines for producing kosher wine. I had such a great time and really appreciated all the hard work my mom did throughout the years by teaching special-needs children in school.

164169Tulip Winery* photo from Catherine

That evening we went to Nazareth, pretty worn out, so we had the option of going on an official tour or just visiting sites at our own leisure. Adrian and I opted to walk around town ourselves and visit the local souk (market), Church of the Annunciation, and spend some quiet time at Mary’s Well. Adrian teased me as I went and filled up a huge container of water and started guzzling it down – without realizing it, this was holy water from the well that people come from all over the world to take just a small sample and venerate.  It was really refreshing!

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And Adrian missed work so much that he explained to me all about how water engineering pumps and valves work.

The next morning we went to Cana and had our wedding vows renewed in the church where tradition says is the location Jesus turned water to wine at the wedding festival. It was a touching moment that I will cherish, and we were glad to be able to be there for our new friends as well. I was reminded how truly special marriage is, and that taking delight in every single moment together makes for a full life.

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Continuing on to the Mount of the Beatitudes, we listened to the famous sermon Jesus preached in the same location that His followers would have heard it. Afterward, we had a seafood lunch and got to play in the sea a bit before embarking on a boat ride across the waters. Not too much had changed in the surrounding view and climatology since Jesus’ time, so this was particularly special. Plus, I just really like boats. I think God planned this moment for us to just enjoy His goodness a long time ago.

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We left the Sea of Galilee and drove through the Jordan Valley toward Jericho. I was particularly fascinated by this drive because I had recently been reading about some political conflict here regarding allocation of agricultural land and water rights. We could almost touch Jordan to our left, but that wouldn’t have been the best idea since the land across the fence line was ridden with mines. This valley provided much of the fresh agriculture we enjoyed in Israel, and farming has been done here since the very first civilizations.

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Upon reaching Jericho, most of the group was ready to relax in the pool and enjoy company. We had a fabulous meal consisting of a local dish I had really been wanting to try – moussaka – and everyone had the chance to ‘try the hookah’ afterward. The next day, we toured Tel Jericho from the Old Testament, and then got to enjoy a quick tourist moment on a camel.

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Next, which was absolutely fascinating, we got to tour the Qumran site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.  I really loved being in the place where we found irrefutable evidence that the Scriptures had not been significantly altered over thousands of years. Also, as a water resources engineer, I was particularly amazed at the massive reservoirs, precise drainage canals, and measurements of stormwater flow from nearby valleys. Our tour guide, Shafik, is literally a genius and had intensely studied history and archaeology for many years at renowned universities. He was able to answer any question we had in detail, and he explained it all in a way that only strengthened our core beliefs.

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Next, those that wished had the chance to either be baptized or re-baptized in the location that Jesus is said to have been immersed by John the Baptist. This site was only recently open to Christian pilgrims and has a strong historical evidence that it was indeed the location (well, technically just on the other side in Jordan). Adrian became friends with an Israeli soldier as they discussed camel-baks and bullets.

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Next, we got to float in the Dead Sea! Through no muscle effort of your own, your body really does just float there. It was really fun, but eventually our skin started to sting, and it was time to go.

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Leaving Jericho, we passed one of the many key statues in Palestinian towns. The key represents the symbol of freedom for those who left their homes. Many people wear their key around their necks for hope of the future. Adrian says the key symbolized, for him, God’s redeeming grace in this land. It is a reminder that there is hope for all involved, and that this place is home to all of us.

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Finally, we make it to Jerusalem, such a special city and the heart of it all.  Since the heat was particularly stressing in the middle of the day, we did most of our excursions in the mornings and evenings with a break in the afternoons.  Adrian and I would take these moments to go exploring, and we found some really great markets and architecture along the way.

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These are old city walls that had slits in them for people to shoot arrows at a wide angle with less susceptibility of being hit in return.

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On the first evening, we took a night stroll through the Old City to visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, built in 326 AD when Christianity was first legal through Constantine.  This was definitely our favorite church and holy site of the entire trip.  With less crowds and the illuminated light, the atmosphere was exceptionally spiritual.  Just the magnitude of the arches, history, and millions of worshipers who had been here before brought tears of worship.  The rock of Golgotha, the place where Jesus was crucified, was awe-inspiring.  There is also a first-century tomb that spoke volumes.  There are actually two places in the vicinity that are regarded as possible locations of the Calvary, but regardless of the exact coordinate where it took place, there is something deeply significant and special about this church.

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The church closed, and we stopped at the Western Wall on the way back.  This wall is one of the outer walls of Solomon’s 2nd Temple and is especially venerated by Jews. The men and women pray in separate sections of the wall, and our side was very crowded this night.  I was able to make it up to the wall for a moment and say a few prayers.  The slips of paper left in the cracks are never destroyed since they have the name God on them.  Instead, they are collected and buried on the Mount of Olives twice a year.

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The following morning we got up early and walked the Via Dolorosa, which has 14 Stations of the Cross that tradition says is where Jesus walked to His death carrying the Cross.  Going early in the morning was a good idea because otherwise the streets are filled with vendors, and contemplating Scripture would have been difficult.  We read about how Jesus was condemned, fell for the first time, met his grieving mother, had Simon help carry the Cross, tears wiped away by Veronica, fell for the second time, spoke to the daughters of Jerusalem, fell a third time, striped of garments, nailed to the Cross, and eventually buried and risen again.

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We went again to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, this time in the morning, just as they were about to conduct the opening mass.  After some very strong street coffee, we enjoyed partaking in a Latin service by some monks who sang so very beautifully.  The tomb doors were treated with special care as the elders/priests got everything ready and bathed it in prayer.  At the end, we were offered communion in a way that was extremely humbling.

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During the afternoon break, Adrian and I ventured out to the Jewish market Machane Yehuda and got to sample some real treats.  Since it was a Thursday, everyone was getting supplies for the following day’s Shabbat meal.  We had read about a special treat called Khachapuri, a cheese and egg-filled bread bowl originating from Georgia.  Coupled with authentic Stella Artois and enjoying the breeze on an alleyway patio, life was good.  We had also read about some authentic Belgian waffles nearby, so we tried some of those with gelato and chocolate sauce.  We figured the long walk compensated for the amount of food consumed 🙂

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In the evening we got to visit the Pools of Bethesda, where Jesus healed the paralytic.  This pool was written about in the Gospel of John as having 5 sides and was long debated as to its historical accuracy since nothing like that had previously existed.  When uncovered in the 19th century, the geometry in the gospel account was confirmed.  Also used as a fresh-water cistern, we were enamored by the structural stability through thousands of years.

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The other site that is said to be a possible location of the Calvary was very interesting and special.  The archaeological evidence for this site matching accounts in the Bible is strong.  We saw the Place of the Skull, Golgotha, visited the empty tomb dating back to Jesus’ time, and celebrated communion together as a group.  We also sang old hymns in a near-by church with excellent acoustics, and I kept getting chills.

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That night we had a most special dinner with our tour hosts from Breaking Bread Journeys.  Our hotel, which is run by The Vatican, has the best view of the Old City on their rooftop patio dining.  A full six course meal with special wine tastings and lots of laughter made our hearts just so full.

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On the final full day before traveling home, we visited the Mount of Olives, which I was very excited about because I had been learning about the parallels between King David and Jesus on this location.  There were a lot of gravesites in the Kidron Valley, believed to be where the resurrection of the dead will occur at the return of the Messiah.  The Golden Gate pictured here, where Jesus entered in on the donkey, was walled up by the Ottoman Turks to prevent the Messiah’s return.

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At the base of the mount was the Garden of Gethsemane where some beautiful olive trees stood that are likely offshoots of the same ones where Jesus prayed and was betrayed.

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We also went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust museum, and listened to guided stories about the events.  This was very moving and made me remember the concentration camp we once visited.

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On to Bethlehem, a short drive from Jerusalem, we got to see the Church of the Nativity, symbolic of the place of the manger, and enjoy a delicious meal.

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On the last evening, we took one last stroll before the special Shabbat dinner.  Since this was in someone’s home, we did not take any photos, but it was a memorable experience as we learned the special meaning of the Jewish sabbath, prayers, and hymns.

Later that night Adrian and some others received tattoos from a local Coptic Christian who had been performing the mark of the pilgrim in his family for over 600 years.  This tattoo has multiple meanings for us, and Adrian described it best:

“I decided to combine it with a key which is to remember the Palestinian people, many of whom wear a key to the house/land they lost decades ago and a hope to someday return. The whole design is meant to symbolize a hope for peace and a trust that God is in the process of restoring his creation (a big thing I was reminded of while in the holy lands)! ”

This trip was definitely unforgettable, and we are so honored to have been able to experience first-hand what this land we have all learned about since childhood really looks and feels like.  We are grateful to have met many beautiful people from different backgrounds and will continue to keep this place and its inhabitants in our prayers!

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Backcountry Grub – Clean & Lightweight

30 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by beautyforashes11 in Backpacking

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Backpacking, backpacking gear list, breakfast, clean food, dinner, food, Hiking, lunch, snacks, ultralight backpacking

At home we hardly ever eat processed food, so planning for backpacking cuisine proved to be quite the research and trial-and-error project. Our bodies are used to clean food that we cook at home and are able to refrigerate, so we did not want to feel sick the entire time from shocking our system with a ton of preservatives. The list below contains a nice balance of what I believe to be lightweight backcountry crub with sufficient calories, fat, protein, and carbohydrates for hiking endurance with a few treats thrown in for enjoyment as we are definitely foodie freaks! There are way more preservatives and sugar in this food list than what we are used to, but we tried to make healthy choices given backcountry limitations, and we are slowly integrating more carb-rich foods into our diet as we prepare to depart.

It is possible to eat a diet in the backcountry that provides you with all of the nutrients and energy your body craves.

Here is the food we are packing for 2 people, 5 days, and 4 nights out:

Breakfast

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– Instant Oatmeal

– 1 Mountain House Eggs & Bacon freeze-dried meal for a lazy morning and a special treat as we hardly every enjoy bacon!

– Nature Valley granola bars and dried fruit for a quick morning

– Assorted dried cereal and granola

Lunch

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We don’t like to stop and cook for lunch, so we are eating mostly wraps and have 1 freeze-dried meal if we are beat one day and want to rest a while during lunch.

– Peanut butter and banana chips on whole wheat tortillas

– Hard salami and cheeses on whole wheat tortillas (gruyere does not need to be refrigerated)

– Oil-packed, pouch tuna and mayo on whole wheat tortillas (we need to pick up a few more packs before we leave)

Dinner

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Yep, we were lazy and went Backpacker’s Pantry freeze-dried meals the whole way. In the evenings we like something hot full of flavor, and $8-10 for 2 people plus the convenience really isn’t that bad. Their ratios of protein-carbs-fat were actually perfect for hiking, and though I hate the fact there are so many preservatives, we figured we would go this route for our first big trip out and then invest in a dehydrator in the future so we can make our own clean variations. I threw in some freeze-dried green beans because they were only a couple of bucks and ounces, and I figure after several days of no vegetables I will be craving them pretty bad.

Snacks

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This is just an assortment of snacks we like to eat on a normal basis. We factored in 1-2 snacks per person per day.

– Granola bars (You can make your own clean granola bars that are pretty cheap and easy, but I quite frankly just did not have the time this weekend, so Nature Valley and Cliff it is!)

– Chocolate for the evenings while winding down and enjoying the scenery

– Nuts for protein and dense calories

– Honey stingers for energy (out of all of the energy gels, chews, and the sort, these are the ‘cleanest’ you can get, plus the taste amazing)

– An assortment of leftover snacks from home

Extra

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– A light-weight long spoon for our freeze-dried meals and oatmeal

– Electrolytes for the high-altitude, hydration, and flavoring the iodine water

– 50′ of rope for hanging the bear bag

– Assorted drink mixtures: Starbucks Via, hot chocolate, instant apple-cider, green tea, chamomille tea (I get stomach aches when I eat too much processed food, and chamomille tea really helps calm it down), honey, sugar (raw sugar and Stevia)

There you have it! I hope this helps you with your planning, and feel free to leave any suggestions for future trips.

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What You Need to Know About Backpacking & BEARS

20 Wednesday Mar 2013

Posted by beautyforashes11 in Backpacking

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Backpacking, bear bag, bear bells, bear spray, bears, camping, Counter Assault, food, Hiking, play dead, REI

Let’s just be honest – there is a TON of information on the internet about bear attacks while backpacking/hiking/camping, and a lot of it has not been scientifically verified. This is a life or death situation, so we want to make sure we are following the most accurate information available.

I have compiled the most consistent information available for you to prevent and deal with bear attacks in the great wild.

The truth is, the bear population is growing rapidly since the 1970’s. This is a good thing for the bear species and can be a good thing for us if we are smart and respect that this is their home.

Q/A:

Should I wear bear-bells while hiking?

The idea behind bear bells is that most bears are not in the business of attacking you just for sport – or even dinner. Most bears would rather know you are near so they can avoid you and go on with their business. This is actually true. The manufacturers of Bear Bells, however, would like for you to think that by constantly ringing a bell, the bears will know you are near-by and will leave you alone.

Bear Bells have not been proven effective in deterring bear attacks. The truth is, they are often too quite to be of any use if a bear is more than say 20 or 30 yards away. For me, they are just plain annoying. Some people suggest the bells intrigue the bears and may cause them to come closer out of curiosity, but this has not been proven.

Instead, a better practice is to make noise while hiking by talking loudly throughout your hike and clapping your hands or yelling when you encounter a region you suspect a bear may be lurking (blind spots). This is how other animals in the wild communicate their pack is near-by, and it is a smart thing to do when you are in bear country.

Look up and at your surroundings while hiking (not at the ground!). This will help you spot a bear from a distance and plan your route accordingly.

Lastly, stay close together – bears are less likely to attack multiple people.

Is bear-spray really necessary? I don’t want to carry the extra weight.

Yes, yes, and YES. I actually had this same argument before, and I was very stupid. The 8-10 oz is the only thing proven to effectively deter a bear attack, so carry it at all times when in bear country!

Carry your bear-spray in easy-to-grab place like your hip canister or one of the side pockets made for water bottles. You don’t want to encounter a bear and then panic because your spray is packed snugly at the bottom of your pack.

A good bear spray will have a range of at least 25 feet. Trust me, you will want this distance.

What kind of bear-spray should I get?

This is up to you, but I personally will buy the “Counter Assault” brand as it is approved for use in Canada and is EPA Certified. If I’m going to drop $50 on something, I want to be able to use it in Canada (if we ever travel there). I am also an REI member, and this is the brand REI carries so I will get 10% back.

There are many brands of bear spray, but these are the only ones certified by the EPA (which I trust to know what chemicals are best for deterring bears):

http://www.epa.gov/region8/toxics/pests/beardeter.html

*I have not been paid by or even contacted by Counter Assault to mention them in this blog. I honestly just use that brand and was offering my opinion on why.

Where should I buy the bear spray?

You can NOT fly with Bear Spray checked or unchecked according to TSA regulations: http://www.tsa.gov/traveler-information/prohibited-items.

For this reason, I suggest waiting to purchase your bear spray at your destination if flying. The spray costs about $50, so I personally mail mine home for use in other locations that are drivable from home (or you could always mail to a hotel or friend in future airplane-required destinations).

You CAN mail bear-spray home but you MUST declare it as a hazardous material and it will ship in a special ground service for hazardous materials. (http://www.usgs.gov/usgs-manual/handbook/hb/445-2-h/ch46.html); ONLY USPS can ship bear-spray – Fed-Ex or UPS is not licensed to do so. This will cost a couple of bucks, which is much cheaper than buying a new bottle of bear spray.

Most outdoor stores will carry bear-spray. I suggest researching outdoor stores at your intended destination first and calling ahead to see if they stock bear spray.

If I encounter a bear, should I avoid eye contact?

The thought behind this is that bears will view this as a sign of submission and will be more likely to retreat. This is a myth that has not been proven scientifically.

If you encounter a grizzly bear, do not look away! This doesn’t even make any sense and has not been proven. If a bear is 30-40 feet away from you, I highly doubt they will be paying attention to the retina of your eyes.

According to leading biologist Tom Smith who has studied hundreds of bear attacks, what you should be focusing on during a bear encounter is your surroundings while you slowly reach for your bear deterrent. A simple “hey bear” yell will probably be sufficient to let the bear know you mean no harm. If he still tries to attack you, spray him. If he still tries to attack you, read below…

When do I “play-dead”, and is this even effective?

Hopefully you won’t ever have to do this because storing your food properly, talking loudly, and (if necessary) spraying bear-spray should prevent any bear attacks. If you happen upon a rogue black bear that is determined to attack, follow these directions:

  • If a bear charges, do NOT run. They WILL out-run you.
  • Spray your bear-spray. Don’t not have bear-spray.
  • Spray again. If he still doesn’t retreat, now is the time to play dead.
  • Keep your pack on for protection.
  • Lay down on your stomach with your hands over your neck and your legs sprawled out wide. Remain motionless for several minutes while the bear goes to town on your pack.
  • Remain motionless for several more minutes after the bear has left as they may come back if they think you are only wounded.

Yes, this is effective, because your only other option is to run, and that is sure death.

Should I carry my gun?

I live in Texas and get asked this question a lot.

NO, do NOT carry your gun for protection against a bear. You will most likely break a ton of laws doing so, and a 9mm will not kill the bear like you think it will.

According to a study published in The Journal of Wildlife Management:

  • Out of 133 defense encounters involving bear spray, only three people suffered injuries, which were all minor.
  • Out of 269 defense encounters involving guns, 17 people died.

Your odds of surviving a bear attack with bear spray are higher than with a gun.

In addition, this will teach the bear that encounters with humans make their eyes burn for a short while, and they are less likely to bother another human in the future.

What do I do about my food?

You have 2 options in bear-country with your food:

1) Learn to hang a bear-bag.
(http://www.backpacker.com/learn_how_to_hang_a_bear_bag/videos/22) – there are several other methods online and through YouTube.

2) Carry a bear canister.
(http://www.backpacker.com/gear-zone-bear-canisters/gear/14241)

Notice this did not include keeping the food in your pack un-canistered under any circumstances. Don’t be stupid.

A few notes:

  • I personally use the Opsaks to place my food in before I hang it from a tree. These are similar to Zip-Loc Freezer Bags except they lock in odor much better. The bear is less likely to smell your food and attempt to break down your bear bag. They are expensive, but I would rather be safe than sorry when it comes to my food.
  • Bear canisters are heavy, so I don’t like them. They are required in Yellowstone, however, but you can rent them for a fraction of the cost of a new one. They are required in some other popular locations (such as Rocky Mountain National Park). Do your research before you travel.
  • The Ursak’s, which are often toted as a lighter alternative to a traditional bear canister, are not yet approved as an acceptable method of food storage in all places, so be careful.
  • I’m sure you all know, but this is worth repeating: Don’t smell like a giant berry! Bears eat berries, and they can smell like 600 times better than a dog. Use unscented deodorant, do not spray any body spray or perfume, use unscented/biodegradable shampoo, etc.
  • Do not cook or wash near your sleeping quarters (at least 100 feet away). Similarly, tie your bear bag at least 200 feet from these other locations. See image below. Some people say to not even wear your cooking clothes to bed. This is probably smart practice, but I do not follow it because I only carry one set of clothes with me. I make sure I am not sitting in line with any smoke while cooking.

Campsite
(http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/training/bearbag.shtml)

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