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Caribou with calf's |
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6-27-04
Dead Horse to Coldfoot
| Going south now and more Caribou along the road. I saw some massive herds on the horizon but they didn't come close to the road. well while I was waiting I missed a huge herd crossing the road, I just caught the tail end of it. about a hour south of Dead Horse and zipping down one of the best sections of road on the entire Dalton hwy when I see a Grizzly with two cubs to the east. Well I hit the brakes pretty hard and in the process I shredded a rear tire. Got out and took some pics of the bears that were about 100 yards away and then took a look at the tire. I started to work on the tire when I noticed that the bear was sticking her nose up in to the wind (she was directly down wind of me) and then she turned my way. she was moving very slow but definitely my way. I kicked the tire change in to high gear! everything was going well, Lug nuts off, spare ready up on the jack but the wheel wouldn't come loose. I pried on it banged on it and kicked it but no movement. Now I am getting nervous as the bear is about 30-40 yards away. Much to close. I grabbed my shotgun and chambered a round, wishing I had managed to find some slugs, I was thinking that if the bears kept coming I would fire a round in the air first. But I was still hoping I could get out of there before I had to bring the gun in to play I grabbed my sledge hammer and tried to get the wheel loose without damaging it. after a couple of good whacks it came loose and the noise had changed the bears mind too as she was moving the other way. I was one very relived tire changer I can tell you that. I can only guess she smelled lunch on my clothes or some of the snacks in my cab. I finished my tire change and got back on the road. About an hour later I lost the other back tire but I think this was the one I had a patched two days ago and that the patch just let loose. I made it back to Coldfoot where I had another great meal and some more beers before bed. I really like Coldfoot, I could definitely stay here for a while. |
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Caribou with calf's |
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Heard in the distance |
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The end of the heard crossing the road |
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Bear and her cubs |
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About 10 min after the tire change was complete |
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Back on the road |
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A sheep in the pass |
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To go to the next day click HERE |
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