OK, lemme give you a tip as a guy who has hunted a LOT in the high mountains of Nevada:
Should you ever be hiking/camping/hunting/fishing/whatever in the high mountains, be VERY aware of what is off to your sides and at your back. Turn around suddenly every 50 to 100 yards or so. Some times, you will see something disappear in a flash behind you - that will likely have been a cat when you’re above 7,500’ on a rocky hillside.
I have neighbors who are big, big men (6’4” and all of 250lbs - big guys) be stalked by cats that weighed less than these guys. As soon as they turn around, the cat freezes and then bolts - but the cat was stalking these guys and got within 20 yards. Cat kill by stealth and surprise - regardless of whether they’re going to win the fight or eat on you.
Something to keep in mind...
When I think upon what you wrote and consider that any of these Big Cats has 8 claws that I know can do BAD things, it is not surprising that our ancestors gave out bounties on their hides.
It is one thing to see John Wayne or Jimmy Stewart on foot in some beautiful high country scenery and think how idyllic it was, it is another thing to realize how brave / foolish our pioneering ancestors were. It isn't and never has been 'stroll-in-the-park' safe out there and it is those observation habits you talk about that makes it sensible. Thanks for the insight.
“Should you ever be hiking/camping/hunting/fishing/whatever in the high mountains, be VERY aware of what is off to your sides and at your back. Turn around suddenly every 50 to 100 yards or so.”
That’s also good advice when walking in the city at night.
The number of humans killed by mountain lions is very small.
The number of humans killed by all wild animals are less than those killed by domestic dogs.