Deconstructing the bear attack

Regarding “The Nature of the Beast” [Aug. 2], there are certain places on this planet where man is not at the top of the food chain. Backcountry Alaska is one of them. Along with your DEET, freeze-dried pizza and lightweight pup tent, be sure to take enough gun.

TIM ELLIOTT

Burbank

*

Thomas Curwen and David Petersen’s piece on the grizzly attack was a terrific bit of compelling writing. Couldn’t leave the California Pizza Kitchen for an hour while reading it over lunch. I found myself checking bushes and hedges the rest of the day for heavy breathing.

BERKELEY BREATHED

Santa Barbara

*

The notion that a 14-foot rubber raft could somehow lead a grizzly directly into a rock is ridiculous. As a former rafting guide, I can tell you that no commercial guide falls for the ol’ “shaving the sleeper” move.

TOM BIE

San Clemente

*

Your story on the couple in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge was biased and naive. A couple used petroleum products on an unnecessary trip to Alaska that ended up in the death of a grizzly, which your story claimed was acting naturally. Good grief.

MICHAEL POHNDORFF

Studio City

*

“The Nature of the Beast” was so compelling that by its end I literally felt sick from nervous anticipation. I can’t recall a better piece of outdoor writing.

JOHN BUCKNER

Lexington, Ky.

*

What an elegant and moving story. You captured the challenge, the mortal risk and the wonderful commitment and satisfaction that go with being in the wild.

THOMAS J. BOND

Austin, Texas

*

You worked as hard writing the story as the fleeing couple did surviving on the Hulahula River. Thanks from Seattle.

TIMOTHY COLMAN

Seattle, Wash.