[ckissick]

I almost did once. I applied for a summer job in Alaska doing geologic mapping for the USGS. I was told they issue you a hand gun for grizzlies. I forget what type, but it wasn't powerful enough. Someone recommended buying myself 44 magnum and leaving the gov't-issue pea shooter at home.

There was a female geologist I used to see walking around our Menlo Park facilities with two metal arms with hooks. Both arms were ripped off by a grizzly while she was doing the job I had applied for. I was very relieved when I didn't get the job.

Years later, I visited Alaska and went hiking, unarmed, in Denali National Park. I was nervous the whole time.