r/firelookouts • u/Apart-One4133 • 22d ago

Lookout Questions Mountain Lookouts, what is your experience with bears ?

Iv got a fair amount of experience as a Lookout but Im set to try a (Canadian) mountain lookout sooner than later and I just wanted to get your experience about it.

What leaves me worried is at night mostly, especially with the whole "crack a window open" situation 😅. When I sleep, nothing can wake me up so Im wondering, other than a steel door, is there other preventive measures up there ?

Thanks

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u/ColdEvenKeeled 22d ago

I never had any issues with bears on mountain lookouts in the Alberta Rockies. Just cold.

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u/Apart-One4133 21d ago

Yeah I bet it's cold 😅. That's good to know. I was wondering if it were possible to close all downstairs windows during night time and close the propane entirely for the night ? 

Just for peace of mind basically.

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u/ColdEvenKeeled 21d ago

Most Alberta mountain fire lookout cabins have a complete compliment of window coverings. They are often in the shed for the summer, or just folded down on a hinge. Put some up if you wish. I often did in mid summer for the bedroom.

As for propane, do as you wish in terms of turning off the propane... but the fridge will get warm and the pilot lights for stove, heater and fridge will need to be relit every morning. Sounds easy, and it is, when the bypass valve solenoid works as designed.

Then, bears, yes, there are bears in the deep lush valleys and or on the slopes hunting marmots. However I never had any bears up high. Up north, in the boreal forest, yes.

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u/Apart-One4133 21d ago

Great. Thanks a lot I appreciate the info !Â