Hiker talks about encounter with mountain lion caught on video
FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- An encounter in the wilderness left two hikers a little shaken up, but rangers at Sequoia National Park say the two men did the right thing after coming face to face with a mountain lion a few weeks ago.
Over the weekend, ABC30insider Sam Vonderheide shared video showing the moment he and a friend came across the wildlife.
Vonderheide says this encounter happened late last month, on the first day of his eleven day hike on the High Sierra Trail. He and his friend Brian McKinney are seasoned hikers and say they were in shock as they tried to figure out how to get out of that scary situation.
Vonderheide told Action News the entire confrontation lasted for about 15 minutes, and in that time they did everything they could to distract the large animal, without agitating it.
"At that point, we were even more scared. I mean, adrenaline is pumping. I don't want to mess with a mountain lion. It will definitely win every day of the week," said Vonderheide.
Vonderheide and McKinney eventually backed their way out of that situation and set up camp two miles away from where it all happened. He says neither of them slept that night. But the next day, they found themselves in the same area where they met the large cat. Luckily, it wasn't there.
RELATED: Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country (California Department of Fish and Wildlife)
Eventually, they made it to the top of Mount Whitney, but when they made their way down, signs were put in place to look out for the animal they came face to face with.
Park officials say both men followed proper protocol and their most important message to visitors is not to act like prey if they encounter a mountain lion.
