Investigators surmised that Anthony Pollio had most likely gotten near the summit of Mt. Brown before turning around, and that he was hiking back down the mountain after sunset when he was attacked. At the time of the attack, the Mt. Brown Trail had numerous downed trees that had been blown over the previous winter. Investigators said that those elements, combined with it being after sunset, meant that Pollio and the bear likely did not see each other until they were very close.
Author Archives: Justin Franz
Justin Franz is a freelance writer, photographer and editor based in Whitefish. Originally from Maine, he is a graduate of the University of Montana's School of Journalism and worked for the Flathead Beacon for nine years. His work has appeared in the Washington Post, Seattle Times and New York Times. Find him at justinfranz.com or follow him on Twitter.
