Hallo Bay Bear Camp, located on five acres, is bordered on three sides by the Katmai National Park and on the fourth side by Shelikof Strait, about an hour by bush plane from Homer, AK. After landing on the beach in front of the camp (a new experience), we were introduced to the camp & how we would go about observing the bears (and any other wildlife we might encounter).
One of the planes we flew in
The Rock in Shelikof Strait as seen from the camp
The owners have established an eco-friendly camp with energy generated by solar panels and wind mills. Their key objective is to provide the utmost safety for their visitors as well as to preserve the natural habitat for the brown bears – the largest land carnivores in North America. Each morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, seven of us hiked out onto the beaches and meadows led by our guide, Brad. Our only protection from the bears was Brad’s expert knowledge and experience, his flapping raincoat when a bear got too near, and a flare when a bear got too too near. Otherwise, we were completely open and exposed to these giant brown bears. Most times we sat about 30 feet from them. We were so close we could hear the sound of their yanking the grass from the meadow and chewing it. In the evening, after an excellent dinner, we would again head out to the beaches and meadows to observe these awesome creatures. We not only observed bears, but saw wolves, eagles, a sea otter and a number of other birds.
Clyde (otherwise known as scar face)
Clamming
Checking things out
Right now is the mating season and the bears are either digging for clams on the beach or grazing in the expansive meadows in the shadow of the mountains. Come July they will move to the rivers and falls for the salmon run. For hours, we sat silently, photographing their movements, observing the nuances of communication among and between them. We watched the aggressive bears bring the more timid to submission just through a look or a slight movement of the head. Each seemed to recognize who was in charge. Both males and females would occasionally challenge the alpha bear (a HUGE male with many scars on his face & a chunk taken out of his shoulder – remnants of previous battles) by closing in on his territory only to back off when he took notice of them. Others would make a wide path around a group of bears just to avoid confrontation. At one point, 2 bears suddenly started a chase heading directly at us. We all stood up not sure what to do. Brad held us in place as the 2 charged within 15 feet of us running over the ridge and onto the beach. As the adrenaline rushed through us we headed to the top of the ridge and watched the 2 continue their confrontation. With teeth bared and growls emanating from each, we watched them challenge each other for position. For a while, neither backed off. Then one stepped back, lowered its head and began to lie down. The other bear waited a minute and then slowly walked off, looking back several times before it returned to the meadow— on a path about 30 feet down from where we stood. What a climax to an incredible evening. I don’t think any of us had been that close to a brown bear before.
The chase
The Confrontation
Here’s a short video of the bears:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K1fpk5HXrmk
Our accommodations at camp were relatively primitive. We stayed in “cabins” equipped with a battery operated lamp (not very effective), small propane heaters, a large container of water for washing (sink with bucket under it), and a cot with a sleeping bag and pillow. Surprisingly the cot was relatively comfortable and the sleeping bag was perfect for the cool temperatures. The Galley, a much larger version of our “cabins”, was where we ate our meals, socialized or just hung out. No food was permitted outside the Galley and no one was permitted beyond a certain point in the camp without one of the staff. The only drinking water was from a spigot in the kitchen. The high tech outhouses had a sophisticated composting system and the showers were operated with a tankless water heater. We were provided with 3 wholesome meals each day plus cakes, cookies, coffee, tea and an assortment of snacks. Believe me, we were never hungry.
The Cabins
We had no problem burning off the carbs during the strenuous hikes on the beach, through the brush and the mud and the hours of sitting in the cold and the wind. They provided us with knee high rubber boots for the times we had to navigate the deep mud and muck. All carried backpacks and camera equipment as well as raingear and additional clothes to accommodate the changes in weather. At times the chilling winds whipped through us. At other times the sun would come out causing us to shed our outer wear. You never knew from one minute to the next what the weather would be. But there were always the bears, grazing and moving in their own world, not quite oblivious to us but definitely unthreatened. All the discomfort was worth being out there with these incredible animals.
When we arrived at camp on Friday, the 24th, we had been scheduled to spend the night and return to Homer on Saturday. However, things are not that simple when you have to fly in small 4 or 5 seat planes over the water and the mountains. The weather was such that they could not get a plane in. On Sunday, the weather was iffy and one plane that started out to Katmai had to turn around. We were told that if we did not get out Sunday, the likelihood of getting out in the next 2 days would be minimal. Luckily, the weather cleared enough for a plane to get through and get us back to Homer. Exhausted from our trip, we were happy to finally see the mountains and glaciers of Katchemak Bay.
That evening we had a seafood feast at our friends’ Jerry & Stephanie’s house overlooking the mountains & glaciers at the head of Katchemak Bay. We feasted on shrimp, Dungeness & Alaska king crab with rhubarb cobbler (made from their homegrown rhubarb) and ice cream for dessert. We drove back to the motor home tired, sated, and thoroughly contented.
Hey there! I simply would like to offer a huge thumbs up with the good advice you’ve got here for this article. I will be coming back again to your site for more shortly.
I and also my guys came going through the nice items located on your web blog then all of a sudden I had a terrible suspicion I never expressed respect to the blog owner for them. Those guys had been as a result passionate to see all of them and have honestly been loving these things. I appreciate you for simply being well considerate as well as for selecting such quality themes millions of individuals are really desirous to understand about. My very own honest apologies for not saying thanks to you sooner.
Along with almost everything which appears to be building within this area, your perspectives are fairly radical. Even so, I appologize, because I do not give credence to your whole strategy, all be it stimulating none the less. It looks to us that your opinions are not totally justified and in reality you are your self not really fully convinced of your argument. In any event I did enjoy looking at it.
This really answered my problem, thank you!
Thank you for Sharing good content.
site, awfully. study. Very
Dude just dropped by your site. You got a nice site. The beat maker for iPhone were neat when they first hit the market. It is diversifying with beat software that support Flash and expanding to other devices.
Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way Magnificent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just too excellent. I actually like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it wise. I can’t wait to read much more Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way again from you. Thanks For Share .
Sick! Just obtained a brand-new Pearl and I can now read your weblog on my phone’s browser, it didn’t perform on my old one.
I carry on listening to the reports talk about getting boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the best site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i find some?
Nice blog post. I was checking constantly to this blog and Im so inspired! Very helpful info, especially the first few sentences. I really need this kind of information. I used to be looking for this kind of information for lengthy time. Thankx & all the best.
I’d have to check with you here. Which is not something I usually do! I enjoy reading a post that will make people think. Also, thanks for allowing me to comment!
you have a great blog here! would you like to make some invite posts on my blog?
Along with every thing that appears to be developing throughout this specific subject matter, all your perspectives tend to be somewhat exciting. Having said that, I am sorry, because I can not subscribe to your whole strategy, all be it radical none the less. It appears to us that your commentary are generally not totally justified and in reality you are generally yourself not really thoroughly certain of the assertion. In any case I did appreciate reading it.
Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read much more Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way again from you. Thanks For Share .
It’s a new pity you actually don’t have a very donate link! I’d most likely donate to this superb blog! My spouse and i presume for now i’ll settle for book-marking along with adding your current Rss feed for you to our Yahoo and google bill. My spouse and i search forwards for you to unique posts all of which will publish this specific web log using our Zynga group: )
Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way Fantastic goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just too wonderful. I really like what you have acquired here, really like what you’re saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I can not wait to read much more Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way again from you. Thanks For Share .
Hi, i must say fantastic site you have, i stumbled across it in AOL. Does you get much traffic?
As I website owner I conceive the written content here is real superb , thankyou for your efforts.
Hello, Neat post. There is a problem with your web site in internet explorer, might test this IE nonetheless is the marketplace leader and a large part of other folks will leave out your excellent writing because of this problem.
I am happy that I discovered this web site, exactly the right info that I was looking for! .
I love your writing style truly loving this web site .
Perfect piece of work you have done, this web site is really cool with good information.
Thanks a lot for sharing this with all of us you really recognize what you’re speaking approximately! Bookmarked. Please additionally consult with my site =). We will have a hyperlink alternate arrangement among us!
I think you have observed some very interesting points , thanks for the post.
Thank you, I’ve just been looking for information approximately this subject for ages and yours is the greatest I have came upon so far. However, what concerning the bottom line? Are you sure in regards to the supply?
Very interesting info !Perfect just what I was looking for!
I gotta favorite this website it seems extremely helpful invaluable
I got what you intend, thanks for posting .Woh I am thankful to find this website through google.
I’d perpetually want to be update on new articles on this website , saved to fav! .
Just thought i would comment and say neat theme, did you code it yourself? Looks great.
Hi, I am Chris from FootballAffiliates.com. With football season here we are looking for website owners who want to significantly increase what their site is earning. We offer a 50% commission (which is $23-25 per sale). Our product converts like crazy and really sells itself. Millions of people want to watch football online and our product fills their need. Most of our affiliates just place one of our banners on their site and they make anywhere from $25-$500 per day. Even if your website is not about football we’ve had people simply write one article and place a text link to our product and they earn hundreds per month. If you like more information please check out our high level description at FootballAffiliates.com or you can view our affiliate platform. If you have any questions I welcome them, please send me an email and we can discuss anything you would like to know. Thanks for your time. Chris
Hi just thought i would tell you something.. This is twice now i’ve landed on your blog in the last 3 days looking for completely unrelated things. Spooky or what?
Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way Great goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you’re just extremely great. I really like what you’ve acquired here, really like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still take care of to keep it smart. I can not wait to read far more Bear Camp | Alaska Eye Way again from you. Thanks For Share .
I really liked the article. It is always nice when you can not only be informed, but also entertained!
Nice post mate.
Hi, Neat post. There’s a problem with your site in web explorer, may test this¡K IE still is the market leader and a good component of other people will leave out your magnificent writing because of this problem.
Hello, Neat post. There’s an issue together with your site in internet explorer, could check this¡K IE nonetheless is the marketplace chief and a big part of other people will miss your magnificent writing because of this problem.
Hi, i must say fantastic website you have, i stumbled across it in Bing. Does you get much traffic?
Do you have a Facebook page or Twitter? Would love to follow you there, I’m on my iPhone and love reading your stuff!
Great post plus easy so that you can figure out description. Exactly how can I actually approach getting authorization so that you can post element of your document at my upcoming newsletter? Providing proper consumer credit back a creator plus url to your web-site wouldn’t often be a problem.
Superb guide and additionally simple to make sure you comprehend description. Exactly how can Document keep performing obtaining authorization to make sure you publish part for the guide into my approaching e-newsletter? Providing correct credit scores in your direction all the article writer and additionally website to website wouldn’t deemed a dilemma.
We are looking for website owners who would be interested in taking a survey and receiving an iPad 2. We only have a few slots left open if you’re interested. – SurveyPromotions.net
I found your blog on bing. I think it’s pretty cool.
Very useful post. Thank You for taking the time to share it with us.
Simply discovered your site through google and I consider it’s a shame that you’re not ranked greater since this is a implausible post. To alter this I decided to avoid wasting your web site to my RSS reader and I will try to mention you in one of my posts since you really deserv extra readers when publishing content of this quality.
Wow, I’m impressed by the quality of intellegence on the webpage. I’ve found a bunch of amazing information here. I am sure I will check out this site often.
Cool post mate.
i’m adding your blog rss feed so that I can see your new posts. Continue the great work!
Buddy I really like checking out your articles. I linked to your WordPress blog on my site about the PSP3000 so my readers will go to your site hopefully.
Hi, Aunt Barbara,
Would you mind I translate your English articles into my Chinese blog?
Wow, that sounds fun and exhausting–and a small taste of the old days, huh? 😉
OK this part of your trip is my FAVORITE so far!!! The bears are absolutely beautiful. I would love to see them in person. What an experience to be a part of!