General Observations

Very fresh bear tracks coming out of Johnson Creek and right up the main Ripinsky trail today at 2000′. Was on the way to the weather station at 2500′ to clear off snow & rime. Interpreted the tracks as a red flag and turned around. Reminder on what is bear terrain and how similarly it overlaps with ski terrain here in southeast Alaska.

• Avoid steep terrain near treeline (–like Johnson Creek, could be den habitat–)
• Look for signs, including excavation of den sites and fresh tracks or scat
• Make noise and ski with others (–whoop and holler, use situational awareness–)
• Carry bear spray – it works in the cold
• When you see a bear – STAY CALM
• Let the bear know you are a person (–talk calmly to it, stay together–)
• Slowly back away – DO NOT RUN