Famous Scottish climber survives grizzly bear attack in Canada

BANFF, Alberta, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- Renowned Scottish climber Greg Boswell survived an attack by a grizzly bear while hiking Sunday in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta, Canada.

"I got attacked by a grizzly bear last night and lived to tell the tale, and to make the three hour descent and two hour drive to the hospital," Boswell wrote on his Facebook profile Monday. "All stitched up now and on the mend."

Photos of Boswell's mangled leg accompanied the post, in which the 24-year-old climber says he is "just a little shook up and sore."

The attack happened as Boswell and fellow climber Nick Bullock ascended Mount Wilson in Banff National Park.

Bullock wrote on his blog that he heard Boswell scream as they trudged through snow looking for the next pitch.

"I spun to watch Greg sprint past me, and in hot pursuit was a grizzly," he wrote.

Bollock said the bear ran past him and attacked Boswell, who had tripped, biting him "straight though his brand new boot as if it were a carpet slipper."

"It lunged once more and crunched into his shin, placing a paw on his other leg before lifting him off the ground," Bollock wrote.

Bollock said he moved to help Boswell, who had by then managed to pry the bear's jaws open and free himself.

The two escaped from the bear and descended the mountain after several hours in the dark. Boswell received medical attention and was released from the hospital after one night.

"They likely surprised this bear as it was trying to den," Jon Stuart-Smith, a human-wildlife conflict specialist with Parks Canada, told the CBC.

According to the BBC, Boswell, a resident of Peebles, Scotland, is widely acknowledged as one of the most talented climbers of his generation.