A trail runner in Lake Forest, California shared a terrifying tale of surviving a mountain-lion encounter on Instagram. Taylor Spike says he was coming down a trail just after dark early this week when he saw a pair of eyes watching him. Initially, Spike says he thought it was a coyote, but nope, it was a mountain lion.
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Spike’s first instinct was to run, so he did, but the mountain lion ran after him and kept up easily. After realizing he wouldn’t be able to outrun the animal, Spike tried standing his ground, kicking rocks and yelling. It was around this time that Spike admits he thought he was a goner.
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Thankfully, the mountain lion did not attack him, and Spike lived to tell the tale that now haunts his dreams. Many people in the comments section chime in to remind others that running away from a predator like a bear or a mountain lion is not best course of action. Rather, Spike’s back-up plan (appearing big and making loud noises) is most likely to work.
When hiking, camping, or trail running in mountain-lion country, carry bear spray, which is also effective against large mammals such as mountain lions and moose.
Listen to Spike’s story of how he survived trying to outrun a mountain lion (Warning: explicit language):
Header stock image by anankkml/Getty Images
Best Bear (and Mountain Lion) Sprays
- SABRE Frontiersman MAX Bear and Mountain Lion Attack Deterrent
- Counter Assault Bear Deterrant Spray
- UDAP Pepper Power Bear Spray
- Mace Brand Bear Spray
- UDAP Griz Guard Bear Pepper Spray
Learn more about bear sprays here.
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