Is it that dangerous up there in Oregon that u need sidearm?
Well, there are black bear & cougars living in the park where we hiked.
The odds of running into one are probably 1,000,000 to 1.
I'm more worried about the two-legged animals on the trails.
Whenever I go out hiking, I'm strapped for whatever comes my way.
Down here in Oregon, I feel comfortable with just a sidearm (pistol), but when hiking back home in Alaska, I'd carry one of the following: a 12-ga. pump, a .303 rifle with military rounds, a .44-40 Marlin lever action, .44-mag Redhawk, etc..
I'm sure nothing will ever happen while hiking, but'd rather carry a few pounds of insurance against getting eaten by a bear, stomped by a moose, or killed by human animals than risk becoming a fatal statistic.
Another of my BS credos: you don't have to GET ready if you ARE ready.