[pct-l] Cramming a BV450 (500) / Canister 'required' areas

[Ken Powers]

Is it spring already? Daffodils blooming outside my window and heated 
discussion on bear canisters on the PCT-L. ;)

Ken  - -  in sunny CA where it is 60 degrees this morning
----- Original Message ----- 
From: <enyapjr at comcast.net>
To: "pct-l" <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 11:16 PM
Subject: [pct-l] Cramming a BV450 (500) / Canister 'required' areas


> who or where did you get this info that an approved container is required?
> is there new rules I am unawares?  This last season they were only 
> required
> incertain areas...

The 'areas' have been expanding...
In 2008, Yosemite started requiring the use of canisters in ALL of its 
backcountry
(affected the northern portion of the park, N of Tuolumne Meadows)...
Compare the 2007 SIBBG Sierra map to the 2008 map (2009 map 'should' be out 
by early April):
<http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/SierraNevadaFoodStorage.pdf> = 
2007
<http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/map040108.pdf> = 2008

For 2009, Seki will do the same (previously only the 'Rock Creek' and 'Rae 
Lakes' areas,
though the Rae Lakes area was from Forester Pass to Pinchot Pass, affected 
the PCT)...
See <http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/sekiwilderness.htm>
or <http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bear_bc.htm>...
I'm still waiting a response from Seki regarding the "thru-hiker exemption" 
where thrus were
allowed to camp at bear boxes for food storage (and not carry a canister) - 
don't know yet if
that will still be the case because last nobo bear box per Seki's webpage is 
at Woods Creek
crossing, approx. PCT mile 801, whereas the northern Seki boundary is at PCT 
mile 854...

The anticipated bear canister "required" areas nobo along the PCT for 2009 
(approx. PCT miles):
Inyo NF: Cottonwood Pass to Seki boundary (PCT miles 750-753);
Seki NP: Seki southern boundary to northern boundary (PCT miles 753-854);
Sierra NF (admin. by Inyo NF): Duck Pass area (PCT miles 890-895);
Inyo NF: Fish Creek area (PCT miles 902-907);
Inyo NF: Rush Creek/ Mammoth Lakes area (PCT miles 909-929);
Yosemite NP: Donohue Pass to Tuolumne Mdws. (PCT miles 929-942);
Yosemite NP: Tuolumne Mdws. to Dorothy Lake Pass (PCT miles 942-998);
other reference points: Kennedy Mdws. store (PCT mile 703), Sonora Pass 
(1018), Echo/Tahoe (1094).

That's the known relevant info for 2009...
It's up to each individual to decide what to do - YOU decide for yourself 
(but don't complain
if you're caught!)...  ;-)

Happy trails!!!
Jim / PITA
_______________________________________________
Pct-l mailing list
Pct-l at backcountry.net
http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l