[pct-l] Bear containers north of Sonora Pass

[Jeffrey Olson]

No bear cannisters are required north of Yosemite.  A general rule of 
thumb is that where bears are hunted, bears "usually" stay away from 
backpackers.  No guarantees.  However, appropriately hanging food (which 
is usually doable as the trail is mostly below timberline) has worked 
for me in the past


For the last 10 years I make sure I eat before I camp, and try and camp 
somewhere there isn't a fire pit, beaten down ground from previous 
hikers or toilet paper evidence of a hiker's spot, and sleep with my 
food.  Of course when you're tired you'll sleep near water and where 
other hikers have been.  After a while you likely will just sleep with 
your food.  I found that bear paranoia is more a function of sitting at 
home being anxious than any real danger where bears are hunted. 


Actually, I found by starting hiking at first light I saw many bears 
foraging.  Awesome sight.  You are lucky if you see a bear, and luckier 
if you see many of them. 


Jeff, just Jeff, wishing I were heading out next week...


andrew walls wrote:
> Do I understand it right that bear containers are not required north of Sonora Pass?  I am thinking that most people mail them out at Echo Lake to avoid the long hitch to Bridgeport.  Is that right, or are the bears still a problem to Echo Lake?
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