Watch: PCT Hiker Charges at Bear in Yosemite to Scare It Off
A Pacific Crest Trail hiker had a close call with a bear at Tuolumne Meadows Campground in Yosemite—and his bold response is going viral.
Philip (Instagram: @philip.jdr) was camping when a large black bear with brown fur began sniffing around his site. Instead of panicking, Philip launched into what he dubbed a “bear scare”—charging at the bear, growling, and waving his arms. The bear turned and ran.
Check it out:
“Perfect! Keep the bears wild this way and don’t let them think humans are approachable,” one commenter wrote.
Another added: “Well done! This will actually keep bears safe in the long run… Air horns are great for scaring bears.”
Although the bear looked brown, it was an American black bear (Ursus americanus), which can have black, brown, or even blonde fur.
The video is a good reminder to always store food properly, make noise, and never let bears become comfortable around humans—even if it means pulling a full-on “bear scare.”
