Wears Valley, Altha’s serene dwelling place, was recognized for its significant black bear population, with estimates suggesting a presence of around 1,500 of these formidable creatures. Their physical attributes only added to their awe-inspiring nature. The sheer number and imposing size of the bears made encounters like Altha’s both fascinating and potentially risky.
A mature black bear could stretch up to six feet in length and stand three feet tall, with females potentially weighing upwards of 100 pounds, especially during the summer months, precisely when Altha’s unnerving encounter took place. The bears’ size and strength added to the complexity of interactions between humans and these formidable creatures.