Industry News
“Greg ran out of sight and the carnivorous freight train passed me, snorting and growling and bounding, dusting me with spindrift – it looked at me for a second, and for a second I thought this is it, this is really fucking it, but in that second the bear had spotted Greg had fallen.” – Nick Bolluck via his blog
2 British professional mountain climbers were climbing the “Dirty Love” route on 10,700-foot Mt. Wilson in Alberta, Canada when they were attacked by a Grizzly Bear on Sunday just after sunset while on a cliff top.
“Greg fell on his back and watched the monster closing. It lunged once more and crunched into his shin, placing a paw on his other leg before lifting him off the ground. I’m not sure at this point what other people would do, but Boswell is Boswell and the bear just didn’t appreciate this, he grabbed the bear’s mouth and prized apart the jaws, pushing, and screaming… “Nick, Nick, help, its got me…” – Nick Bolluck via his blog
Greg Boswell, 24, was directly attacked by the Grizzly Bear. The bear grabbed Greg by the leg and lifted him off the ground. Greg was somehow able to pry the bear’s jaws off his leg and fight it off. He and his partner Nick Bullock ran into the woods in a panic after the attack.
“If it comes, no running, we stand together and hit the bastard.” “Yeah, were in this together, hit the bastard, hit it as hard as fucking possible, in the head, in the eye, hit the fucker.” – Nick Bullock via his blog
Armed with ice axes the two made their escape and became lost on Mt. Wilson in the dark. They feared the bear would return and ambush them. They did eventually reorient and make it back to their cars 3 hours after the attack via multiple rappels and headlamps and drove 2 more hours to the nearest hospital. Greg was bleeding badly and was treated for 5 large puncture wounds in his leg.
“In the distance, wolves howled. Following Greg’s bloody footprints, I wondered at what distance bears can smell blood.” – Nick Bullock via his blog
Greg’s dad, Peter said this about the incident:
“He said he had, foolhardy or not, actually stuck his hand in the bear’s mouth to try and pull it off. The bear ripped the thumb off his glove the teeth were that sharp.”
“He said the bear let go of his leg and was stood over him. Greg said he thought ’If he goes for it now, I’ve had it’. He was staring straight in the bear’s face. He thinks because he had his head torch on, and it was very bright, as he moved his head and the beam moved across the bear’s eyes, it must have startled it.” – Peter Boswell, Greg’s dad
Greg said this about Nick’s help during the adventure:
“I literally owe my life to Nick. I was in shock after the incident and didn’t know what to do. Nick got me off there and drove me to hospital.”
“I would probably have died of hypothermia or blood loss if he hadn’t kept me going. My stupid idea was to climb a tree and wait until daylight. Twelve hours in -20C and with some serious bleeding to my lower leg is not the best way to spend the night. I can’t thank Nick enough, even though I know I don’t have to. Cheers bro!” – Greg Boswell via facebook
Greg may need surgery, but is expected to make a full recovery.
I think that shelf is his. message sent.
Griz probably intended only to establish pecking order and send him on his way with a reminder. Now bear’s saying: shit, I kicked his ass and let him go and now everyone is like: ‘grizzly bears can have their mouth forced open’. haha. in your dreams.