Glacier National Park, Montana saw almost three million visitors over the course of its open season in 2023, most headed for attractions like the famous Going-to-the-Sun-Road, the iconic Many Glacier Hotel, and natural spectacles such as the wildlife, alpine scenery, and glacial lakes. As a student researcher staying in the Park for several weeks this summer, I had the opportunity to meet a lot of those visitors and share in their excitement to be in the Park & learn about our work.
My first day in the field, I felt a bit like a moth in the daytime. Surrounded by unfamiliar sights, sounds, and creatures (fellow Keck students included), I felt completely out of my element and like I was being pulled in every direction possible.
Have you ever been 20 feet away from a 500 pound grizzly bear? Have you seen the whites of its eyes as it charges at you with the speed of a car? Did you feel the slow trickle of pee go down your leg as you stood there, frozen still? Me neither!!
