I had a bear come into camp at Blue Mountain Shelter on the AT last summer. I did not know it at the time, but there was a problem bear. I was wondering why I was the only one there.

About 6:30 in the morning as I was watching the sunrise, I heard the bear come into camp. I couldn't see him because the undergrowth was so high. But I could hear sticks breaking. It was definitely something large.

So what did I do?

I lit a cherry bomb firecracker and went back to sleep.

You would not believe how loud those things are.