Settling worried minds (mountain lions, bears)
Posted: Tue Apr 29, 2025 6:24 pm
Hi folks, curious if anyone has successfully dealt with anxiety around mountain lions and bears. I've had many blissfully ignorant/peaceful years backpacking and viewing bears as "large raccoons" as the rangers say and not even considering mountain lions, but I think I've had too much internet time. Even knowing the minuscule statistical risk, I remain plagued with the "what if I'm the first" thoughts. Has anyone worked through this before? I miss solo backpacking peacefully!