When i used to rock climbing we used to go into grizzly territories often(grizzly territory is pretty much every where in the forest in Alberta) We used to hike in packs of 4 or more. The bear spray is really last resort so you usually spray it when the bear is really close, like less than 10 feet. Have to be careful of the wind too as you don't want to spray yourself obviously. When the can is empty you are suppose to throw it right away as the smell might attract other bears. At least that's what i remember.
Ive heard couple stories of people getting attacked/mauled by grizzlies at the climbing gym. All very minor and extremely lucky.
We used to say pepper spray is really just fancy spice for the bears food
I know.some guy had to climb a tree him and his climbing partner. Stay up there for like 10 hrs, another one was attacked on the way down from an ice climb in caste mountain i think. Fought the bear off with a hiking pole(this one was in the news).
I also heard using bear banger can dangerous if you dont know how to use it. Its basically a small pen looking gun that shoots a 22G firework to scare the bear away or something like that. One guy told us a story long time ago how he used one and he over shot the bear and did the "bang" behind the bear causing to run directly towards him(or them) lucky the bear just ran pass them and kept going. I think they were surveyors in the north or drilling.
I think the only real way is to be in a big group Or a gun... But can't really ride with a gun
