[pct-l] Bear canister requirements in Seki for 2009... FYI update

[Donna Saufley]

The last time I went to pick up a permit from the office outside of Lone
Pine (last June), the USFS rep at the desk told me that they are planning to
remove ALL bear boxes in the SEKI area and instead step up enforcement of
bear canister requirements.  Of course, that's not an official response, but
it's something to be aware of as a possibility.

L-Rod

-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of enyapjr at comcast.net
Sent: Monday, February 09, 2009 8:02 AM
To: pct-l
Subject: [pct-l] Bear canister requirements in Seki for 2009... FYI update

FYI / FWIW...

Because the SIBBG webpage for Seki states bear canisters "...will be
required throughout both parks in 2009", 
but Seki's webpage states "It is likely that a formal requirement to use
these containers throughout all of the park 
wilderness area...  ...as early as 2009", I emailed Gregg Fauth, Seki
Wilderness Coordinator, with some questions...

"...answers to your questions are provided below - they are not wholly
definitive, but these issues are being discussed 
in depth by park management and final decisions are yet to be made."

Will bear canisters be required along the entire length of the PCT through
Seki (Siberian Outpost to Piute Pass trail) 
in 2009? 
"The issue of a parkswide canister requirement is still being discussed - I
suspect we will not have a final answer for 
2009 until early April.  Please watch our website for any updates -
<www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/wilderness.htm>
- Wilderness Food Storage link."

The SIBBG/USFS Sierra Food Storage maps for 2007 and 2008 both show a "bear
box" symbol near the Bishop 
Pass trail in Le Conte Canyon (PCT mile 831), but neither the Seki bear box
webpage nor the climber.org bear box 
web pages show or list it...  Is there a 'public' bear box in Le Conte
Canyon, or is it mistakenly shown on the SIBBG 
maps (being a bear box solely for the Le Conte Ranger Station perhaps)? 
"There is no public food storage locker in the Le Conte area."
(Note: the 2008 map does not show the Woods Creek crossing bear boxes (PCT
mile 801), but they are still on Seki's 
bear box page...  Another email sent for clarification and request to ensure
the 2009 map is corrected, if needed.)

What will the status be for the "thru-hiker exemption" in 2009?  Reason for
asking - the last listed bear box (nobo on
the PCT) is at Woods Creek crossing, PCT mile 801, whereas the northern park
boundary is at PCT mile 854 - 
53 miles without a known public bear box...  
"The preferential status given to long distance through hikers is also being
discussed in concert with potential 
canister regulations."

Will more bear boxes be made available North of Woods Creek crossing?  - Or
is the 'plan' to do away with the 
existing bear boxes (relying solely on bear canisters), and if so, how soon?
Are any bear boxes currently on the
PCT to be removed in 2009? 
"The long term status of food storage lockers is under discussion as well.
There is no plan to do away with 
existing lockers or to add any more, though there may be some case by case
removal of nonfunctional or 
unneeded lockers.  This is a complex issue and park management is weighing
the alternatives.  I would suspect 
that for the next few years they will generally remain status quo." 
(Note: wonder what the definition of "unneeded" will be?  If bear canisters
are 'required', then, theoretically, no public
bear boxes will be 'needed'...  Asked for possible clarification in second
email - but do not necessarily expect a 
definitive answer any time soon.)

Yosemite no longer permits 'hanging' food anywhere in the backcountry - will
Seki do likewise? 
"This directly relates to your first question and has the same answer."

I'll pass along any other pertinent info as it is clarified...
Happy trails!!!
Jim / PITA

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