Hike with a pistol?
in colorado, in a national forest, you're d@mn right! after encountering a bear c. 8 ft. away (we surprised it, she had a cub, it was fall when they are trying to store fat, and my girlfriend was on her period ((wounded animal=easy kill to the bear)), you're d@mn right i carry a gun whenever i go into the wilderness.
of course, the stealthy nature of mountain lions is an additional problem.
Another vote for hellyeah. Mountain lions are killing machines, and I get out into fairly remote areas in CO and TX sometimes. I am *not* going to fend one off with a "Ninja Sword" (Katana? Iaito? WTH are they talking about "Ninja Sword?).
Best thing that's happened was when people were allowed to pack in national parks this year. Mr. Lion doesn't leave his weapons at home...