A Portland hiker shared the simple tricks he used to save himself after a mountain lion stalked him on a remote trail and even tried to pounce on him.
Ben Blumenfeld was running along the Angel’s Rest Trail in the Columbia River Gorge on Tuesday when the big cat jumped out of the woods.
But instead of running away, as instinct might suggest, Blumenfeld remembered a YouTube video with some crucial advice.
“He got really close, like a person’s distance away from me,” he told KATU. “At first she had a quick hit.”
“I got big, raised my arms and started yelling, ‘I’m fine, cougar!’ I’m fine, cougar!’
Portland hiker Ben Blumenfeld shared the simple tricks he used to save himself after a mountain lion stalked him on a remote trail and even tried to pounce on him.
“Screaming at this cougar, making eye contact, showing your teeth, and trying to be as big and scary as you could.”
The action worked momentarily, until Blumenfeld staggered and the cougar nearly leapt toward him.
“We had one more close encounter when I stumbled a little and he went to jump,” she explained.
‘I just jumped up and screamed again. That’s when he gave me more distance. He just stopped dead when I yelled, probably the loudest in our interaction. That’s when I was able to get away from him.
With his heart racing, Blumenfeld dialed 911 and spoke to an operator, only then realizing the seriousness of his situation.
“Things seem very real because he used words like self-rescue and ‘you’re going to have to go out on your own,’ but he walked me through the process,” Blumenfeld said.
lumenfeld was running along the Angel’s Rest trail in the Columbia River Gorge on Tuesday when the big cat jumped out of the woods.
The trail has been closed since his narrow escape.
Oregon is home to more than 6,000 cougars or cougars, according to the state Department of Fish and Wildlife.
The sightings are described as “rare” but habitat loss means they could become more frequent.
The agency suggests people educate themselves about what to do in the event of an encounter.
“Cougars often retreat if given the opportunity,” the agency states.
‘Leave the animal a way to escape. Stay calm and stand firm. Maintain direct eye contact.
But instead of running away, as instinct would tell him, Blumenfeld remembered a YouTube video with crucial advice telling him to make noise and look intimidating.
The road has been closed since Blumenfeld’s narrow escape on Tuesday.
Children should be picked up without bending down or turning their back on the animal.
But the most important thing is that the advice is not to run. ‘“Running triggers a pursuit response in mountain lions, which could lead to an attack,” the guide states.
If the cougar appears aggressive, hikers are advised to raise their voices and appear larger.
“Yes, in the very unusual event that a cougar attacks you, fight back with rocks, sticks, bear or pepper spray, tools or any available items,” the department says.