[pct-l] Bears and Food

[Sequoia Kennels]

    As  a native Californian, I've been hiking in the Sierras most of my life, about twice as long so far as yours,  and I've only had three bear attempts on my food. Where there are trees, I've used the counter balance method and above treeline used both Ursacks and canisters. A few pointers: be very observant of bear scat. Bears love trails as much as we do and usually take a dump on the trail, If you see bits of foil and undigested paper in the scat then you'll know that Yogi and Booboo are going to visit you. Take extra precautions in those areas. Be sure to wash your cooking pans and utensils and put them into your bear proof storage system. Though The bear won't eat your titanium pan -- it will be attracted to its odor. Toothpaste, mint flavored floss, and anything else that has a smells belongs stored with your food. 
    Another thing to consider is turning the tables on the bears: One good 500 pound black bear will feed three, even FOUR! hungry thru-hikers for a day or so. There are several ways to cook them up. I'll leave the methods of capture to better imaginations than mine.