In fact, it didn't last so long for our first bear encounter: 1 hour! There he stood, in the center of Clearwater River, just next to the island we had chosen to be our campsite. The dark brown animal was about 150 metres away of our canoe but still seemed huge.
He didn't hear us from the first moment because the wind came from his side. A few moments later, he (or she?) stood up, shaked a little bit with the head and went off across the small island. We took a picture, but without much succes because of the relative dark background of the island. Or should I admit that my trimbling hands are the real reason? Let's say it was the combination of the two :).
After choosen a new camping spot, we have put our tent and enjoyed our first onion soupe, my personal favourite. Bart ate also some, but unfortunately, his stomach wasn't still recuperated from the fly-in a few hours ago...
After our first meal in the wilderness, we first have to bring our food in safety. Our meals of the next week, inclusive our tooth paste and other good smelling stuff should be hanged in the trees at least 3 metres above the ground and away from other trees.
Luckily there are a lot of beavers living in the neighbourhood of Clearwater River which make this job easier. Fallen trees are excellent object for putting our ropes across (see picture). The only problem was that they like to do this job during the nights when boys of the city are dreaming about hungry black bears in their thin, dark tents. It's not necessary to say that falling trees a few metres from their sleeping back are good for their sleep...