Carrying my 9mm camping out west this summer.

I have lived "out west" all of my life, you can take my comments for whatever you think they might be worth.

As is so often repeated in discussions about whether a .22 is sufficient personal defense against two-legged predators, "It's better than throwing rocks."

Odds are high that you will not need to use your sidearm during your trip. But, if the odds go against you, your 9mm pistol is better than throwing rocks at any wild predators that may pay undue attention to you. Load it with whatever bullet has the best penetration. Penetration is paramount. Do NOT load it with hollow points. You want the projectile to reach vital organs. Hollow points from a pistol just add to the annoyance of whatever four footed adversary is ill-disposed toward you.

If your account allows, I recommend (minimum) a .357 magnum. The reputation and ability of the .357 mag is well documented.

For what it's worth: There's another saying that I heard many times during the years I lived in Alaska. "Be sure to save the last bullet for yourself." The sourdoughs who said this were not entirely joking.