Both you and the bear would be better off if you carried spray. I think AKSAR has proably had more field experience with grizzlies (a very different critter than black ears) than all the rest of us put together.

I have spent all of 48 hours in serious grizzly country - an overnight trip in Denali. We were very careful because we carried --nada! This was an afterthought after a mountaineering patrol on Denali. Once you get up high, grizzlies are not a concern.