The Magazine of The Sierra Club
Not Advised: Close-Up Moose Photography
Adrenaline saves yet another clueless backpacker
Before backpacking with friends in Yellowstone National Park, I'd hiked in West Virginia and Ohio and had thought I was pretty experienced. Bears were on my mind, but not moose; the only moose I knew was Bullwinkle.
We were hiking near Cache Creek and stopped to brew some afternoon tea. I saw a moose off in the distance and decided to get closer to take a photo.
I scrambled down the bank. The creek was pretty wide, so I had to find a place to cross, stepping from rock to rock.
Suddenly, my friends began yelling at me. I had inadvertently gotten between a mama moose and her calf. And she was headed my way.
I sprinted back and leaped across to the other side of the creek. Later, all four of us tried jumping and all got wet feet. Adrenaline had made all the difference.
This article appeared in the September/October 2019 edition with the headline "Hokey Smoke, Bullwinkle!"
Ask the Expert
Kristine Rines is the moose project leader at New Hampshire Fish and Game.
"A cow moose with calves is one of the most dangerous animals in North America. Moose may appear laid-back, but if they consider you a threat, they will chase you, knock you down, and kick and stomp on you until you stop moving. Cameras have zoom lenses. Use them."
Are you a survivor? Send your tale of backcountry peril to submissions.sierra@sierraclub.org or share it with us on facebook.
