Who still hikes with a 9mm? I usually pack a 2 3/4 inch S&W .500 loaded with 700 grain T Rex rounds. It'll stop an angry momma bear on meth & coke. Well that's what they tell me anyway.
Seriously though, I usually have my pocket .380 with me because it's the lightest, but I don't actually carry it for protection in the backcountry. I have it because I think it's irresponsible to leave it in my vehicle while I'm away. It's usually buried deep in my pack or in the bear can if there's room.
I've ran into bears dozens of times while hiking. A few times they were just sitting on the trail eating berries or whatever bears eat when they aren't taking food from dummies. We just yell and ask them to move along and they always do.
A lot of my bear sightings have been at the portal campground when they were trashing someone's campsite.....................................DUG
