A number of mountaineering trails at Glacier Nationwide Park have been closed following a gaggle’s latest encounter with a bear.

In response to a launch shared the Nationwide Parks Service, a 35-year-old male was bitten beneath the knee by a bear who was startled and stunned by the mountaineering group, who have been traversing Grinnell Overlook. In an effort to discourage the bear, the mountaineering occasion deployed bear spray which was efficient in transferring the bear away from the group.

Park officers stated that the mountaineering occasion encountered foggy circumstances, which possible brought about low visibility in seeing the bear, and that the occasion had the entire right emergency and security gear akin to a primary assist package and emergency communications. 

In response to the incident, park rangers have taken the added step of closing a number of mountaineering trails to maintain friends protected till the bear’s whereabouts and decide that the mountaineering paths stay protected. 

The Backyard Wall, Grinnell Glacier Overlook, Highline Hill, Highline Path, and Sperry Glacier, Sperry Chalet are at the moment closed as a result of bear exercise.

The park has additionally notified guests of 16 areas that are on discover for bears frequenting, together with Boulder Lake, Cracker Lake, Granite Park, Siyeh Go, and extra. 

Guests to Glacier can go to the Path Standing Reviews for the newest replace, and knowledge on whether or not the paths have reopened. 

“Guests are reminded that the autumn season is when bears usually tend to be energetic as a result of hyperphagia,” the Nationwide Parks service shared within the launch. “As bears put together for the lengthy season of winter, throughout which they’ll hibernate, they should eat as a lot as they’ll to arrange to go months with out meals.”

The Nationwide Park Service usually advises mountaineering and out of doors fans to be on alert whereas visiting the parks.