New Years Eve was a non-event around this here part of the country. Heard a few bangers go off just before midnight, but they were off in the distance.

I was sitting next to the woodstove, reading, when midnight struck, signaling to me that it was time to make the last hay feeding of the night for the horses.

Everyone seems to know about Hugh Glass and his bear incident, as well as, Jedidiah Smith's run in with a bear.

Howsomever, did you know that there were nearly 80 other mountain man vs bear incidents in the West and Rocky's between 1805 to 1857? Not thet many of ya, huh.....Thet is what I thought!

Ya'll need to pick up a copy of MOUNTAIN MAN & GRIZZLY by Fred R. Gowams, published by MOUNTAIN GRIZZLY PUBLICATIONS, Orem, Utah, 1992. It is a good, comprehensive, write up about the little known man vs bear accounts of the Fur Trade Era.

Well, that is how I celibrated the coming New Year of 2023's arrival!

Hope ya'll are warm and safe!

Regards, xfox

Well, I woke up to one gun shot (?) at midnight, had to remember what the fuss was about. I imagine that there were lots of interactions between Grizzlies and people, not just the mountain men. Sounds like a good book. One of the guys I worked with, and was in the Alaska National Guard with, was in the news a couple of years ago. He is a surveyor and was working up around Glenallen (Alaska) when he ran into a grizzly. She didn't do his looks any good, but he survived. Al Minish.
Hope everyone has a great 2023. Stay safe and keep away from those bears!
~Kees~

Heh, the gunfire started 'bout sundown here, and didn't taper off 'till after midnight. Lots of VERY expensive ammo burned off around here. go figure....

There was a spate of popping & booming but it was a fair ways off. I honestly experienced nothing that was different from any other day. It was a gift just like any day one wakes up in. Seems like it was 2022 only just a few days ago.

I do wish a great and fine new year for all you guys.

Hope everyone had / and has a Happy New Year!

Winterhawk,

I lived out in the Bush 82 miles north of Glenallen for 17 years (48 years in AK). I seem to recall Al's runin, but not sure if it was before or after I moved out of state in '14. Had a neighbor go over to my homestead summer of '14 to get some nails and was attacked by a 3yo next to the shop cabin. He survived with some scarring.

Regards, xfox

Ya, I think I'm still good to fight off a 3 year old child.....Might be hard tho.

Crossfox, Al's run in was just two years or so ago. It was all over the news.

I only have 28 years in Alaska. Never meant to leave, but things went South and we did too....

~Kees~