Loaded For Bear

          Jake Hamilton was a tall man, just over six feet in height and he was young – only thirty years old. He was walking steadily down the wide, well-used track on the hillside, about three hundred yards away from the advancing bear, completely unaware of the impending confrontation. He wore jeans and a long-sleeved shirt with a hunting vest over that. His hiking boots were leather and high topped, giving his ankles the right amount of support. His bulky backpack contained the lodge mail from the Post Office Box in Haines plus a few essential supplies.