What I Wish I Knew Before Hiking The CDT: Bear Spray

During my CDT hike in 2021 and 2022, I learned SO much and created this series to talk about what I wish I knew before hiking the trail. I hope this helps future CDT hikers prepare! This video is about bear spray. More bear safety videos to come! This isn’t all encompassing advice, just what I personally experienced on trail. If you’re planning to hike the CDT or hike in grizzly country, do your research and practice what is comfortable to you from a safety perspective.

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Happy Hiking!
- Cheer

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[peakbagger]

Great information. Thank you. A note: It is water soluble. If you get it in the eyes, you will go blind for 45 minutes. And it really burns. Be careful not to shoot it into the wind; it will come back into your face. I did the AT in '24, and hope to do the PCT in '26 & maybe the CDT in '27.

[SeanHigginbotham-opnp]

As a resident in Grizz country (eastern front range, Montana), it's a good idea to buy 2 and practice with one. Tag the plastic safety off when you hiking and treat it like a firearm. Aim for the ground in front of the bear. Bluff charges... Ears are generally up (Subjective). I hear a lot of people yelling "Hey Bear" when I am out on trail. Sounds good... until someone nearby only hears "Bear" and reacts to it and you almost get sprayed :( . I yell out "Marco" and occasionally I have received the "Polo" response. Lovin vlogs! Keep up the good work!

[CheerOnTheTrail]

More info coming on bear safety! The bear spray I showed (in the on-trail video portions) was fixed to my pack strap where I could reach it easily. Make sure it’s easily accessible! Was there anything you wish you knew about bear spray or bear safety in grizzly country?

[Hikecdt]

I was planning on staying alone when I reach this area. However, after listening to you I see the value of being in a group. The noise factor I thought I could take care of myself. But the idea that than there would be additional bear spray-that is very good. Thanks.

[mephitismephitis]

Old Joke: ___ In this part of the country, said the ranger to the novice hiker, we have black bears and grizzlies. You'll want to be equipped with bear bells and bear spray. Also, it's good to know what kind of bears are in the area. Black bears leave smaller tracks and if you knock the droppings apart with a stick the scat is full of berry seeds and bits of squirrel fur. Grizzly droppings are full of little bells and smell of bear spray.

[ervinslens]

Gorgeous upload, this is narrated and presented professionally! Love it!

[Rastamon]

I've heard (on the internet's haha) that foaming wasp spray is also a great bear deterrent

[Bassandbackpacks]

You can use it more than once just dont unload the first time. A short 3 sec burst is sufficient. I think you can get 2 good shots of 3 seconds on a 10 oz can

[kimberlypenney]

A Ranger told me using a bell is more like calling the bear to dinner😮

[ryderclashable]

Everytime i start planning/researching for my sobo cdt thru hike i just end up watching bear attack videos.

[steveshea]

Your bear spray is walking south and north and south and north and...