Grizzly Sow Injures Hiker In Glacier

A grizzly bear sow injured a Kalispell man on a trail in Glacier National Park Saturday, but a companion drove her away with pepper spray.

It was the park’s second grizzly mauling of the week.

The attack lasted only seconds but left 41-year-old David Reich with seven puncture wounds and several cuts on his right shoulder and lower back, park officials said.

The bear fled when Mike Ware, also of Kalispell, sprayed it at close range.

The attack occurred about 11:45 a.m. half a mile above the Siyeh PassPiegan Pass trail junction in the Preston Park area. The area is now closed.

Reich, Ware and Paul Montieth of Marion were hiking when the sow and a cub charged them from about 100 yards away. Chief Ranger Steve Frye said the men hid in brush beside the trail and the bears rushed past, but the sow returned.

Park medics treated Reich at the St. Mary Visitor Center, and he was taken by helicopter ambulance to Kalispell Regional Hospital.

Lester Ashwood of Helena, a restoration carpenter at Glacier’s Granite Park Chalet, was mauled Tuesday and remained in Kalispell Regional on Saturday. He was listed in good condition.

Ashwood said the grizzly that attacked him charged 150 yards across a meadow near Fifty Mountain. He had left pepper spray with his wife in their tent, so he dropped to a fetal position.

The bear quickly bit Ashwood on the arm, neck, head and shoulder, then sat on Ashwood’s legs, injuring one of his knees.

The two attacks this week are somewhat unusual in that the bears ran so far to attack. Most maulings result from surprise encounters at close range.

Park officials urge hikers not to hike alone, near dawn or dusk or at night, and to make plenty of noise.

Rangers say bears are feeding heavily in preparation for hibernation.

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