WOw, he was lucky to have the ranger right there!
High valley, it didn''t quite happen that way, the bear caught him. He was trying to get across a creek with the bear right on his heels and tripped on his chest waders. he went down in a few feet of water, the bear got on his back but then let him go because he was underwater. Dad climbed out as the bear went back for cover. The ranger station was contacted, a guy was right on the spot with a .357 handgun; the place was swarming with people and they didn't dare wait for someone with a bear rifle.
He went down to the bear's hiding place to assess the situation and it charged him. That is how I know that a big grizzly can be killed by a skilled man with a .357. Since he emptied his piece, I also recognize that shooting at a bear is a very easy way to meet your doom.
Seeing a bear that big and recognizing what it must have been like having that behemoth coming hell bent for my face has stuck with me, and I have no illusions. If i'm charged by an enraged, screaming grizzly, I'm going to die. probably a 90% certainty. The absolute confidence that some people present is amusing.