Link to more photos.
As previously explained, Victor was responsible for my 2000 trip to Katmai National Park, but could not accompany me. Now that he is in the U.S., I scheduled a repeat trip with him, again with Katmai Coastal Bear Tours.
We had a great time. We watched bears for six days. The weather was great, too.
One highlight: About 50 yards in front of us, a mother bear walked away from her three sleeping cubs to a nearby stream. The cubs woke up, didn't see their mother, and suddenly ran at and through us, one going right over one member of our group who was lying down! We were now in the classic never-do-this position, between a mother bear and her cubs. When the mother returned and saw her cubs running away, she charged right at us! She stopped less than ten feet in front of us, then went around us to her cubs. We were left gasping at what had happened in the last few seconds. I wish another group had been nearby to video the whole thing. Victor got the best photo, showing the cubs approaching us:
Victor insisted on clearing everyone's dishes after meals, and he always carried others' gear when we went ashore. Here he has a tripod, camera and backpack, none his own:
