[Aktungbby]

Strange indeed

The bear often waits for a substantial snowstorm before it enters its den: such behavior lessens the chances predators will find the den. The dens are typically at elevations above 1,800 m (5,900 ft) on north-facing slopes. There is some debate amongst professionals as to whether grizzly bears technically hibernate: much of this debate revolves around body temperature and the ability of the bears to move around during hibernation on occasion. Grizzly bears can "partially" recycle their body wastes during this period. Although inland or Rocky Mountain grizzlies spend nearly half of their life in dens, coastal grizzlies with better access to food sources spend less time in dens. In some areas where food is very plentiful year round, grizzly bears skip hibernation altogether.

I wonder if the climber wasn't at or near 6000 ft (a three hour descent is mentioned) and if the El Niño warm weather/global warming isn't throwing off the poor bear's winter nap time schedule. Polar bears are having a miserable time of it too with no ice flows.