casey_torres60•7d agoProlific Poster

Tried the "quiet hiking" approach on the JMT last month and it backfired hard

I decided to hike a 15 mile stretch of the John Muir Trail near Mammoth Lakes without any music or podcasts, just nature sounds. Thought it'd be this zen experience but I startled a mama bear and her cub around mile 8 and had to backtrack 2 miles to avoid trouble. Learned that keeping a little noise on trail is actually safer for everyone involved. Anyone else ever get humbled trying some backpacking trend?

2 comments

2 Comments

singh.blair7d ago

Huh, I gotta push back a little on this one. Noise isn't really the issue, it's more about being alert and aware of your surroundings (which you clearly are, since you spotted the bear). I've done tons of quiet miles on the JMT and never had a problem because I'm constantly scanning and making my presence known with my footsteps and an occasional "hey bear.

nathanburns7d ago

@singh.blair you said "noise isn't really the issue" but I gotta disagree a little there. Yeah being alert is the main thing, but noise definitely helps too. Bears don't always see you coming if you're quiet, and that's when surprises happen. I've had a few close calls on solo hikes where my footsteps just weren't enough, especially in thick brush or around streams. A simple bell or a whistle every now and then has saved my skin more than once.