Alone After Dark: A Fatal Grizzly Encounter in Glacier National Park | E265

A late-afternoon hike in Glacier National Park seemed simple enough: climb toward the Mount Brown Fire Lookout, watch the sunset, and head back down.But as darkness settled over Mount Brown, 33-year-old Anthony Pollio found himself descending alone through steep, heavily forested terrain. Somewhere in the woods, a grizzly bear was moving through the darkness.In this episode of Disaster Strikes, we examine Anthony Pollio’s final hike, the search-and-rescue operation that followed, and the investigation into what happened on Mount Brown. We also look at a second grizzly bear encounter in Glacier National Park just 25 days later—and the warning signs, environmental conditions, and safety decisions that can turn an ordinary hike through bear country into a life-threatening situation.This episode explores:

Anthony Pollio’s final hike on Mount BrownThe Mount Brown Fire Lookout trail in Glacier National ParkThe search for Anthony PollioGrizzly bear attacks and encounters in GlacierWhy hiking alone after dark can be dangerousHow to stay safe in grizzly countryWhat hikers should know before entering bear habitat00:00 Disaster Strikes Intro

00:37 Alone After Dark on Mount Brown

02:03 Glacier’s Grizzly Country

03:57 The Mount Brown Trail

05:18 Our Bear Encounters

08:18 Who Was Anthony Pollio?

10:02 A Late Start Up Mount Brown

12:33 A Surprise in the Deadfall

14:32 The Search for Anthony

16:23 How Rare Are Fatal Bear Attacks?

17:59 Another Grizzly Attack, 25 Days Later