OK Daredevils...

You're actually never supposed to do that (drop your bag) because if the bear catches up to you you can leave your bag on and curl up into a ball, then if they start ripping into you you have protection on your back.  And you're never supposed to run, because they will chase you.   labcrab, I'm grateful you're ok!  

ORIGINAL: yanke

Lani, you (and others) probably remember these stories- all scary to me.
-I was interrogated by the KGB for several hours and thought i'd never get out of Russia.  I would have given everything i owned to have been back home.  It was just like a movie. 
-I blew up a branch of the bank (when it was open) with a stick of Dynamite (i was the manager and thought it was a candle).
-A hot air balloon my wife and i were in hit another balloon and we tipped sideways in the basket as we scraped across the other balloon up very high.  

Great to see you, Yanke!! How are the fur-monsters? ... You are a nut. Do you often have dynamite hanging around the bank? You may want to look into vanilla, it's a better scent []

Awesome stories guys!! Glad you all made it through.

See, I was also under the impression that you should drop the backpack, that usually it will distract the bear as they usually just want some yummies. But there are records of people that were attacked by a bear or cougar that survived because of their backpack.

Well, whatever it is, you chose the right thing at that time Labcrab. And I hope you beat the ex with multiple objects. ... well, unless he liked that kind of thing. In which case, i hope you made it hurt []

Also, Labcrab, how long before the Coasties got to you? Holy cow!

MhadDog {{shudders with you}} that's horrifying.

Basically? While I'm a veggetarian, I don't like feeling low on the food chain. That gives me the willies!

ORIGINAL: keedokes

You're actually never supposed to do that (drop your bag) because if the bear catches up to you you can leave your bag on and curl up into a ball, then if they start ripping into you you have protection on your back.  And you're never supposed to run, because they will chase you.   labcrab, I'm grateful you're ok!  

 
haha!  All I can say to that is - whatever!  I'm AMAZED that I had the presence of mind to do ANYTHING even remotely rational like drop stuff.  I'm a "weird" New Yorker afterall!  What was I doing in the Smoky Mountains to begin with?!?!? lol
 
You know the old joke that you don't have to be able to out run the bear- just the other person?  Yeah, well - my ex was running in front of me... nice.  I had to do *something* since I was obviously the one that would get caught! 
 
Oh and as for the Coasties rescuing us...  Considering it was an actual plane crash - WAY too long!!!  I don't remember exactly (it was about 20 years ago) but it felt like a very long time.

I have another work-related daredevil stunt. In 1998, I was working on the Lowe's at Preston and George Bush Turnpike in Dallas. And the only way I could reach what I was after was up in the iron trusses. I have 500 lb rope and a mountain climber's harness. I stood on the top rail of the lift, swung my rope out and tied it to the iron, clipped into my clip, rolled over and was suspended 40 feet in the air, by a rope while my heels rested on the rail of the lift.
 
These things I have done were no accident. I did them on purpose when there was no other option. Normally, I don't like to drive a lift while it is elevated but I have done that, too. It's all a matter of control.