It was the first time Kauffman publicly recounted the Feb. 4 ordeal that left him with 28 stitches and a reputation for toughness and bravery that overshadows his wiry frame.
“I will never be able to live up to the reputation,” said Kauffman, who stands 5-foot-10 (1.5-meters) and weighs about 155 pounds . “The story is bigger than my puny form.”
Kauffman said he was running a trail in the mountains west of Fort Collins, Colorado, when he heard pine needles rustle behind him. He turned to see the mountain lion about 10 feet (3 meters) away.