[Cody s]

I understand it is a good idea, but is there really a need for bear spray in the Cascades? Do bear bells really work or is it just luck that I haven't had a dangerous encounter?

[cascadetraverser]

Been hiking them for 40 years and never had spray and have had lots and lots of encounters and never felt the need for spray; maybe next year I`ll get ate though,ya never know.....

[Hutch]

Bear attacks are exceedingly rare in the North Cascades (and Washington as a whole). Like, a few per decade, despite hundreds of thousands of people being out in the wilderness every year. In fact, I'd tend to be more concerned with the prospect of getting hit by lightning because of the metal on your bear spray canister.

[Cody s]

In Yellowstone other hikers kept asking "Why are you wearing those dinner bells?"

[olderthanIusedtobe]

Ditto, I hike without bear spray all over the Cascades and have never felt like I needed it. I've seen bears a handful of times, they almost always turn tail immediately and run quickly out of view. IMO you can leave the bear bells at home too.

[Hutch]

Alaska and maybe northern Montana are the only places you should really consider hauling bear spray. Unless you're just looking to spice up your eggs in the backcountry.

[NacMacFeegle]

I never hike with bear spray, I don't think it's necessary in Washington or Oregon.

[texasbb]

I never carry spray in WA. If I did, it would be for the bear bellers.

[gb]

Hair spray might be of more value in the Cascades and Olympics.

[Malachai Constant]

Bear spray could be of use in Eastern Canada as they seem to have quite a few peradatory attacks especially in the spring, cold no food. I used it there, they also have wolves. Otherwise never use in Cascades or Olympics. BTW I have seen hundreds of bears of all kinds. Most all turn tail and run, some stand and stare for a while.

[RichP]

It might be more useful in downtown Seattle than in the mountains.

[cascadetraverser]

Rich: You are funnny!!!! Living in Seattle I couldn`t agree more! The risks of living in town astronically out weigh the risks of getting attacked by bears, wolves or whatever else can get you out there in the wildeness...I am buying my cannister today!

[Snowbrushy]

A Griz. has a big range so the chance of ever seeing one is very remote. Very. That said, they were originally plentiful in the west and some of the Mountain Men had encounters which ended poorly. Two that come to mind are Jedediah Smith and Hugh Glass. There were others. Today we have the benefit of learning from them. http://www.thestranger.com/slog/archives/2009/10/19/on-bears-part-iii-of-iii&view=comments?oid=2480957&show=comments&sort=desc&display=

HughGlassBearAttack

[Treehugger5]

[Voxxjin]

I tend to carry some with me. Just in case. Plus it will work on any number of other animals and people too. But to each their own. But I do agree that you would likely use it more in seattle than in the north cascades.