Survival Story: The desperate fight to stay alive of a climber who survived a 93-foot fall has finally been revealed, and one remarkable reason made all the difference
A FEARLESS hiker survived a terrifying 93ft plunge down a mountainside and climbed back uphill after being attacked by a grizzly, only for the bear to return and kill him.
The 33-year-old had emptied an entire can of bear spray as he desperately tried to defend himself during the surprise nighttime encounter.
The horror unfolded on the steep Mount Brown Lookout trail in Montana’s Glacier National Park on May 3.
Anthony Pollio’s body was found three days later following a vast search involving ground crews, aircraft and a National Guard Black Hawk helicopter.
Authorities initially said the Florida outdoorsman appeared to have died after unexpectedly encountering a bear.
But a newly released interagency review has now reconstructed his final movements and revealed his desperate fight to survive.
Investigators believe Anthony was descending the mountain alone in darkness when he and an adult male grizzly suddenly came face-to-face.
Fallen trees and poor light likely prevented them from seeing each other until they were dangerously close.
Claw marks on a burned tree and a displaced rock appeared to mark the spot where the animal launched its attack.
Anthony managed to discharge his bear spray completely, although investigators could not determine whether it struck the grizzly.
He then fell or was thrown down the steep slope as the bear likely continued its assault.
Personal belongings including his phone, charging equipment, hat and the broken holster from his bear spray were scattered across the mountainside.
Blood became more heavily concentrated farther downhill, with a large pool marking the end of Anthony’s 93 ft descent.
Evidence suggested the bear then briefly broke away from him.
Despite his injuries, Anthony managed to climb approximately 18 ft back uphill in an apparent attempt to survive.
But the grizzly re-engaged and inflicted fatal crushing bites to his head, the review found.
“The attack was likely brief and intense and not prolonged,” investigators said.
Anthony’s body was eventually found 69 ft below the trail because he had climbed part of the way back up before he was killed.
There was no evidence that the animal ate him or attempted to cover or hide his remains.
Officials concluded the mauling was defensive rather than predatory and described it as an attack by a surprised grizzly.
Anthony, from Davie, Florida, had been travelling across the country when he arrived at the park at around 4.45 pm.
He decided to tackle the 5.1-mile route to the Mount Brown Fire Lookout and began climbing at approximately 6.30 pm.
The trail gains 4,240 ft in elevation and is considered one of the steepest in Glacier National Park.
At 6.48 pm, Anthony left his father, Arthur, a voicemail explaining that he was hiking towards a lookout.
Arthur previously said his son told him he loved him during the final message.
Anthony’s last known communication came in a text to his girlfriend at 8.20 pm.
He said he had “climbed over 2,000 ft and 3 miles” but still had “2,400 ft to gain.”
He planned to watch the sunset before returning to his vehicle in the dark by around 11 pm and finding somewhere to camp.
Investigators believe he probably turned around before reaching the lookout after encountering deep snow higher up the mountain.
The fatal encounter is believed to have happened at around 9.30 pm, shortly after the last daylight had faded.
Officials said Anthony may have been using the flashlight on his cellphone as he made his way down the debris-covered route.
His father raised the alarm the following afternoon after Anthony failed to return or contact his family.
Searchers battled difficult terrain and high winds before finding his empty bear spray can beside the trail at 12.10 pm on May 6.
They followed evidence down the slope and discovered his body in a densely wooded area.
DNA recovered from the scene identified the grizzly as a male aged at least 15.
The animal appeared to have lived in the park throughout its life and had no known history of aggression or conflict with people.
Anthony graduated from the University of Central Florida and reportedly worked as a service adviser while volunteering as a church deacon.
His loved ones described him as an experienced and fearless outdoorsman who was passionate about animals and adventure.
The review urged hikers to travel in groups, make noise in areas with poor visibility, keep bear spray immediately accessible and avoid hiking at night, dawn or dusk.
