[pct-l] Using the Ursack...

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

> "It appears that Ursack will be allowed almost everywhere in the Sierra this
> year except Yosemite National Park and three areas (Rae Lakes, Dusy Basin,
> Rock Creek) of SEKI...

Ursack is not allowed in the Inyo NF canister required areas, either, though they 
have not updated their website yet - the Inyo link just goes back to the SIBBG 
approved container page, which now only has the individual agency links...

Per Cindy Gervasoni of Inyo NF, "At this time canisters that are accepted by the 
adjacent National Parks are also accepted by Inyo National Forest, and can be viewed 
on the NPS websites."  and "...products that are not on the NPS list of accepted 
canisters, would only be accepted in the areas where the use of canisters is not 
mandatory."

Ursack is not on the approved container list for Yosemite or Seki, therefore it is
currently not approved for Inyo mandatory areas either...

Latest map (that I know of) showing bear canister required areas (SIBBG link, but map 
published by USFS):
<http://www.sierrawildbear.gov/foodstorage/map082609.pdf>

> ...cannot find (even on the NPS site) any reference to those regulations.  Rules in
> this case are appearing to me very arbitrary and the standard for tested compliance 
> is illusory as best as I can tell.  Anyone know where this information can be found?

Ursack's lawsuit effectively shut down SIBBG - so there is currently no "definitive"
information source nor container testing - each individual agency will now 'decide' 
what is acceptable in their respective areas - so you will have to contact each 
individual agency and discuss it with them...  ;-)

Seki:
<http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bear_bc.htm>
<http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/SEKI%20Allowed%20Food%20Storage%20Containers%20for%20Use%20in%202010.pdf>

Seki currently still allows JMT and PCT thru-hikers (having the appropriate travel 
permit) to use the backcountry food storage lockers in lieu of canisters...

Inyo NF:
<http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/inyo/recreation/wild/bear.shtml>

Yosemite:
<http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bearcans.htm>
<http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/containers.htm>

Canister requirements weren't meant to protect YOUR food, but to protect the bears
from becoming habituated to human food (keeping bears on their natural diet) and then 
causing bear/human conflict...

I guess Ursack will now have to sue each individual agency to try and get its way -
and that could very well backfire, for both Ursack and all of the Sierra backpackers.  :-/

Happy trails!!!
Jim (PITA)


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