[pct-l] Bear Canisters (again) & Food Mates

[Hiker97 at aol.com]

_dbooth at cyberone.com.au_ (mailto:dbooth at cyberone.com.au)  writes:  By  the 
way, I saw some northbound hikers carrying canisters and a  
large  external food bag to hold the overflow food. I guess they used the  
Switchback method of using a small canister (for the chocolates) and  sleeping 
on the overflow food.
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Actually, I trying to think in 40 years of backpacking if I have ever  slept 
with my food.  I have had a cookie or food bar in my tent at night  for blood 
sugar challenges (I am a diabetic).  Really no food leftovers  from a meal.  
No, I have never slept with my food because I am a  coward.  I would be too 
scared of the bears, saber tooth tigers, etc.,  getting me.  

 
I remember in Yosemite one night I had a large bear (when you are looking  up 
at the bear all bears are big) walk past my netting tent and look down at me  
and kind of growl.  I heard him coming and knew I did not have any food or  
odor products (except me) in my tent, so I figured he would pass on, which he  
did.
 
Plus, I know my reputation extends out into the woods besides the hiker  
community.  The large carnivores pretty much stay away from me too.  
 
As an aside, sometimes I hike at night just to see if I can find some  
animals to harass.  It seems to be much quietier and stealth like at  night.  I use 
my indian stalking routine along the trail at night --- it  never works.  
Everytime I sneak around a corner or over a rise there is  nothing there.  Bummer. 
 I bet my headlamp gives me away.  I  would turn it off, but then I would get 
scared of the dark.
 
Cheers, Switchback the Leftover







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