[pct-l] rangers

[Josh]

I've been asked ABOUT a bear canister several times in central Cali...never
been asked to show it to anyone or anything like that (maybe cuz its shape
was easily seen bulging my pack)...I was asked a few times in Yosemite "what
kind of canister or what model canister do you have" because there were
model changes as to which were 'legal' or whatever and maybe their logic was
"if they know the model right off, they're already familiar with the rules"
or something like that.

I've run into rangers with a 'tude more than once, but usually it's more
like "hi..." and the usual chit-chat about the trail each of us has come
from or upcoming weather systems or whatever...and something like: "Do U
have a permit"..."yes, do U wanna see it"..."no, that's ok". And that's
that.  I don't suspect that anyone who's done the planning to do a 2600mi
hike (or even a significant section of it) will have any real problems with
any rangers or anything like that.

I have wondered about one thing though:
I often spend a night or two in-town were I resupply.  My understanding is
that TECHNICALLY, this voids a permit since a night was spent off the trail.
I'm pretty sure that there's no way a ranger or anyone else for that matter
could prove that (unless he just happened to share the hotel U were staying
in and wanted to make an issue out of it).  But, am I correct in the
'legality' of my understanding of the permit and overnight stays off trail?

Josh 


-----Original Message-----
From: pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net [mailto:pct-l-bounces at backcountry.net]
On Behalf Of Stephen Adams
Sent: Monday, February 08, 2010 9:40 PM
To: shelly skye
Cc: pct-l at backcountry.net
Subject: Re: [pct-l] rangers

Nice story Shelly.
What is the big deal with some folks?  
IF you aren't doing stuff you should be worried about getting caught for,
rangers, cops, whatever authority figures, why worry about?  I can guarantee
you the backcountry rangers don't want to hassle folks, or write ticket
quotas, or ruin your day.  They are asking for permits more frequently in my
experience, but I didn't get asked for a permit for years except at Whitney
a long time back.  The second and third times I went there I didn't see a
ranger one, just some friendly trail crew.  The only place I have met
rangers with an attitude is in the Nat Forrest areas farther north out of
Bishop, but I think those were times when I ran into someone having sort of
a bad day.  My impression is they are being told now to ask for permits more
frequently.  I have not yet been requested to show a bear canister or even
asked about it.  But I sense that's coming too as I am reading comments now
and then regarding being checked even though I have not.  But I tend to mix
trail and off tr  ail in the Sierra so probably miss a lot of ranger contact
for as much time I spend out there.  
So just have the papers you think you need, and a canister where required
and spend your time worrying about important things like washing those
stinky ass socks...  
On Feb 8, 2010, at 8:22 PM, shelly skye wrote:

> Not to belabor the point but my personal experience in the Sierras mirrors
L-Rods. In fact, the first time I hiked the JMT solo, a very kind and
helpful ranger helped me persevere as I was very anxious and his
encouragement helped me continue when I was scared and unsure. I will never
forget that guy, in fact I got to tell him that this past summer. 
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