Climbers who summit Yosemite’s Half Dome can anticipate panoramic views of the nationwide park’s luscious valley — however now park rangers say they could additionally spot traces of black bears, and even the animal itself.
Park rangers lately discovered proof pointing to the presence of a black bear on the prime of Half Dome, Yosemite officers mentioned. The animals are pure climbers and, in contrast to individuals, don’t want 425 toes of cable to scale the quartz rock formation’s 46-degree angle.
“This remark serves as a very good reminder that bear security applies EVERYWHERE in Yosemite,” park officers mentioned on Fb. “For the protection of individuals and animals alike, maintain your pals shut and your meals nearer.”
Yosemite officers reminded guests to maintain smelly objects like meals or sunscreen locked away in lockers or canisters. On the path, hikers ought to maintain backpacks and different gadgets inside attain lest they be ransacked by bears or the Half Dome floor squirrels.
Bear encounters are usually not unusual in Yosemite, which is dwelling to an estimated 300 to 500 black bears. The animals normally trigger property injury or snatch meals. Individuals are not often injured, and nobody has died of a bear assault in Yosemite, in line with the park service.
As of July, officers have recorded 10 incidents involving bears in Yosemite, with all however one occurring in a residential space, in line with the park’s bear exercise log.
One bear, on a jag this spring, broke into a number of unlocked automobiles. One other discovered its method inside an unsecured dwelling.
Guests additionally encounter the creatures on the street. No less than one bear has been struck by a car in Yosemite this 12 months, in line with the park. Collisions are famous as one of many main causes of demise for bears in Yosemite, in line with the group Preserve Bears Wild.
General, encounters with people are up by 83% in contrast with final 12 months. Black bears are lively day and night time, and extra have lately been noticed on the valley ground, park officers mentioned.
Bears are inclined to keep away from people, however there are important tricks to keep protected in case of an encounter.
If a bear enters a path, campground, picnic space or car parking zone, officers suggest scaring the animal away by yelling loudly and aggressively till it leaves. Folks can stand shut collectively to seem bigger however shouldn’t encompass the bear. Pepper spray just isn’t allowed in Yosemite.
If the bear received’t go, pack every little thing and depart, officers mentioned. Throwing meals on the creature or leaving nourishment behind will encourage its conduct and will make it aggressive with people; in these instances, the bear is likely to be euthanized. And, though it’d go with out saying, rangers advise individuals to not attempt getting their meals again from a bear.
Guests who encounter a bear in undeveloped areas of Yosemite ought to maintain a distance of no less than 20 yards. Black bears could present dominance by bluff charging, particularly when cubs or meals are concerned, park officers mentioned.
Half Dome in Yosemite Nationwide Park has lengthy been a California icon, serving as a muse for legendary photographer Ansel Adams, and ultimately turning into his resting place.
The rock floor, which some examine to a soccer helmet or a damaged bowling ball, is framed by a granite monolith, El Capitan, and a set of cliffs often known as Cathedral Rocks.
Guests must get hold of a allow to scale the Half Dome. Mountaineering the path could be harmful, and the park service recommends that it’s performed solely in summer season. Rangers put up detachable metal cables each season to assist climbers ascend the previous couple of hundred toes to the highest.
Mountaineering to the summit requires climbing no less than 14 miles whereas gaining 4,800 toes in elevation. Solely 300 individuals can go to the Half Dome Path every day.
Hikers who see a bear, regardless of the place it’s or what it’s doing, are requested to name (209) 372-0322 or e-mail the park service.
