Viral video: Terrifying moment hiker encounters grizzly bear 'twice her size' in the wild

You don't know how wild and unpredictable nature can be until you step out for something as harmless as a quiet hike on a beautiful trail. In a terrifying reminder of the same, a grizzly bear came dangerously close to a woman hiking in Glacier National Park, in Montana, U.S. She spoke to the bear in a calm voice and managed to escape unscathed. Here's what went on.

What happened when the hiker encountered a grizzly bear?

The wild animal came dangerously close to her and even hung around for a while | Image: Amanda Wylie/@twobraidsontrail

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On July 4, Amanda Wylie went hiking in Glacier National Park when a wild grizzly crossed her path. According to the video she eventually posted on TikTok, the wild animal came dangerously close to her and even hung around for a while.

Interestingly, Amanda, who admits "she's lucky to be alive" would still "choose the bear" adding her two cents to the viral man versus bear debate that raged online and left the internet divided.

How did she end up face-to-face with the bear?

Amanda turned to the right and saw the grizzly bear "twice her size" standing on its hind legs | Image: Amanda Wylie/@twobirdsontrail

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Like most seasoned hikers, Amanda, too, kept an eye out for any immediate threats, something she considered after noticing fresh bear tracks in the mud but decided to keep hiking anyway. "I listen for the birds and smaller animals to warn me of a bigger threat based on their actions," Amanda wrote in her post.

Not much after, she saw a prairie dog jump from the right side of the trail to the left. Now alert, Amanda turned to the right and saw the grizzly bear "twice her size" standing on its hind legs. As she felt her heart drop, instinct kicked in, and having watched a safety video before she knew what to do next. She stayed focused on the moment, fully aware that anything she did beyond this point would change the outcome greatly.

She stayed calm, didn't move and told the animal: "You're okay. Please don't come here. Thank you. Please go." Bear spray on the ready, she stood where she was, refusing to run, as the bear looked this way and that.

"I took out my bear spray, got low and backed away slowly from the bear," Amanda said. "I talked to him nice and once I felt a safe enough distance away, I got my phone out to record wondering if these would be my last moments."

After following her for a while, the bear shook his body and walked away. That's when Amanda took her first breath after the encounter, her body slowly relaxing.

"Once he turned away, I rejoiced, knowing I would live to see another day and have an amazing encounter story to share," she said. "After all is said and done, l'd still choose the bear."

Watch the video below

Video courtesy: USA TODAY

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