[pct-l] bears

Fri Oct 1 17:03:11 CDT 2010

Ah, but he wasn't hiking, he was camped. But this is a good lesson even while hiking: a friend was taking a short nap after lunch in the Yosemite backcountry when a bear came a ripped the side pocket off the pack he was using as a pillow. Of course it was the pocket with the Snickers bars. Lesson learned: just because its day time doesn't mean you don't have to protect your food. 

AsABat

AsABat

-----Original Message-----
From: Melissa Rexilius <melissa.rexilius at hotmail.com>
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 21:46:31 
To: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Subject: [pct-l] bears

AsABat- I couldn't believe what I was reading either. As a general lurker on this list, you've been a regular level-headed individual, and you really had me!

As far as hiking to bear boxes with no cannister... can someone tell me why this makes sense? As if the bears have some ability not to smell the food inbetween traveling to the bear boxes? Have we not seen what happened to Bearcant?
http://www.bearcant.org/61.htm

From: pct-l-request at backcountry.net
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Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 16:13:36 -0500

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--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: gmushial at gmdr.com
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 10:11:37 -0700
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters

> Message: 12
> Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 09:24:13 -0700
> From: AsABat <asabat at 4jeffrey.net>
> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters
> To: gwschenk at socal.rr.com
> Cc: PCT MailingList <pct-l at backcountry.net>
> Message-ID:
> <AANLkTi=SgE3eYHjds62K=fj6f_AOYU8TZs5TkpaTj4Dt at mail.gmail.com>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>
> I was saving this for later, but after recently completing a section hike
> during deer season, was wondering if anyone has tried resupplying from the
> land as they hike? Carrying a rifle/shotgun combination, one might be able
> to harvest deer and quail for dinner each night. Walking quietly along the
> trail, not being slowed down by the weight of any food in the pack, one
> should be able to find plenty of game. Certainly more than the "hunter" on
> the noisy quad we met one evening was (not) finding. Roast some venision 
> on
> a big wood fire, dry some of the next day's lunch, or air-dry it on the 
> back
> of the pack carne seca style. Some wild onions add flavor. Maybe bring a 
> dog
> to flush out the quail. No need for a heavy bear can if you aren't 
> carrying
> any food. So, has anyone done this successfully?
>
> AsABat
> (Fully tongue in cheek)
>

;-) on

Could just eat the bear...  no??   If a xxxx canister if for storing xxxx 
(eg, flour canister) - then doesn't it follow that: a bear canister is for 
storing bear ??

;-) off

TheDuck 

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: gwtmp01 at mac.com
CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
To: austinwilliams123 at gmail.com
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:16:28 -0400
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters

On Oct 1, 2010, at 12:38 PM, Austin Williams wrote:

> OMG.  Until I saw the "fully tongue in cheek" remark at the bottom, I was
> about two inches away from passing out and falling out of my chair in
> disbelief.  That was hilarious!
> 
> Funny thing is, I've had people seriously ask me about doing just that.  Not
> even joking!!!  :)

Yep. When I told tell people about my long-distance hikes I often got questions that suggest that the trail existed in some some parallel-universe where I was cut-off from civilization for the duration of my hike. In that world, a gun was needed to fend off predators, hunt for food, and to protect myself from the crazy mountain-folk.

I'll admit that prior to my thru-hike my thoughts about the 'wilderness' were certainly out of whack with reality.

Andrew Skurka, who just finished a 4,700 mile hike around Alaska, had some great comments about what 'real' wilderness is like:

> Humility. The most remote and inaccessible section of the trip was across the Yukon Arctic and the eastern Brooks Range (also known as the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge). During that stretch I went 650 miles without crossing a road and 3.5 weeks without seeing another human being. That’s true wilderness. It may sound romantic, but frankly it’s frightening—was completely on my own, entirely dependent on the space between my ears and the contents of my pack (12 pounds of gear and up to two weeks of food), traveling across an environment that is hardly conducive to life: it has big rivers, big storms, big wildlife, big swamps, and small but prolific bugs. This new level of self-dependence caused me to tap into a primal, ancient, and mostly lost, sense of humility that dates back to when humans were really just another wild animal on this planet, not a higher or elevated species, when overcoming Nature’s challenges and making it to tomorrow was a noble and fundamental goal.

Radar

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: ned at mountaineducation.org
CC: pct-l at backcountry.net
To: gwtmp01 at mac.com; austinwilliams123 at gmail.com
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 10:30:25 -0700
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Solitude-Humility

This will be an interesting thread because when I did the PCT in '74 and the 
CDT in '80 there were weeks when I didn't see another human being, also! 
Now, for this sort of isolation and self-reliance you have to go to the 
Arctic...

Ned Tibbits, Director
Mountain Education
1106A Ski Run Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, Ca. 96150
    P: 888-996-8333
    F: 530-541-1456
    C: 530-721-1551
    http://www.mountaineducation.org
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Gary Wright" <gwtmp01 at mac.com>
To: "Austin Williams" <austinwilliams123 at gmail.com>
Cc: <pct-l at backcountry.net>
Sent: Friday, October 01, 2010 10:16 AM
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters

On Oct 1, 2010, at 12:38 PM, Austin Williams wrote:

> OMG.  Until I saw the "fully tongue in cheek" remark at the bottom, I was
> about two inches away from passing out and falling out of my chair in
> disbelief.  That was hilarious!
>
> Funny thing is, I've had people seriously ask me about doing just that. 
> Not
> even joking!!!  :)

Yep. When I told tell people about my long-distance hikes I often got 
questions that suggest that the trail existed in some some parallel-universe 
where I was cut-off from civilization for the duration of my hike. In that 
world, a gun was needed to fend off predators, hunt for food, and to protect 
myself from the crazy mountain-folk.

I'll admit that prior to my thru-hike my thoughts about the 'wilderness' 
were certainly out of whack with reality.

Andrew Skurka, who just finished a 4,700 mile hike around Alaska, had some 
great comments about what 'real' wilderness is like:

> Humility. The most remote and inaccessible section of the trip was across 
> the Yukon Arctic and the eastern Brooks Range (also known as the Arctic 
> National Wildlife Refuge). During that stretch I went 650 miles without 
> crossing a road and 3.5 weeks without seeing another human being. That’s 
> true wilderness. It may sound romantic, but frankly it’s frightening—was 
> completely on my own, entirely dependent on the space between my ears and 
> the contents of my pack (12 pounds of gear and up to two weeks of food), 
> traveling across an environment that is hardly conducive to life: it has 
> big rivers, big storms, big wildlife, big swamps, and small but prolific 
> bugs. This new level of self-dependence caused me to tap into a primal, 
> ancient, and mostly lost, sense of humility that dates back to when humans 
> were really just another wild animal on this planet, not a higher or 
> elevated species, when overcoming Nature’s challenges and making it to 
> tomorrow was a noble and fundamental goal.

Radar

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--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: dirk9827 at yahoo.com
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 11:29:51 -0700
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters

 I must take umbrage with this statement:

> The "food storage rules" in the bear problem areas are geared towards
> the "normal" weekend user. Sometimes they don't quite fit the thru
> hiker.

There is NOTHING in the rules that make thru-hikes exempt from these 
regulations. An "inconvenience" hardly qualifies one for an exemption.

The "options" are to:

a) Forego a canister. Hike from food storage locker to food storage locker, 
which will involve super-human efforts in selected areas due to the distances 
involve. It will also result in highly restricted camping choices.
b) Forego a canister and camp wherever you want. Break the rules and 
thus, jepordize the lives of any bear(s) that may get into your food as a 
result. Yes, the odds are they won't. But the odds are you won't need your seat 
belt either when you drive to work, either. By using a canister, you are thus 
helping to save bears. Plus, it will save you a hefty fine if you are caught.
c) Carry a canister and camp wherever you please and sleep soundly at night 
knowing that your food is safe from bears and other critters.

Dirk

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: brick at brickrobbins.com
To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 12:21:36 -0700
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear Canisters

On Fri, Oct 1, 2010 at 8:46 AM,  <gwschenk at socal.rr.com> wrote:
> ---- Brick Robbins <brick at brickrobbins.com> wrote:
>
> Because thruhikers are special. Rules are only for mountain bikers.

Not at all. I am simply encouraging knowledge of the rules. Not breaking them.

The general perception that the law says "bear cannisters are
required" is not true.

In the restricted areas, one must use either a Bear Cannister, or a
Bear Box to comply with the "proper food storage" rules. For most
weekenders this means the only way to legally comply is with a Bear
Cannister.

Because Thru-Hikers regularly hike 20+ miles a day in the normal
course of events it is POSSIBLE to cover the distances between Bear
Boxes in a normal days hike, except for a couple of stretches.

I'm not saying it is advisable, or even desirable. Just that it is
possible, with the exceptions I posted due to the distance between
bear boxes.

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: asabat at 4jeffrey.net
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:08:44 -0700
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters

Specific rules for SeKi and Yose at
http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bear_bc.htm
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bearcans.htm

The SeKi site says "*Canisters are required* in three
areas<https://mail.google.com/seki/planyourvisit/upload/food_storage_restrictions_SEKI_20070410.pdf>throughout
the wilderness from the Friday of Memorial Day through October
31. *Canisters are required* in three
areas<https://mail.google.com/seki/planyourvisit/upload/food_storage_restrictions_SEKI_20070410.pdf>throughout
the wilderness from the Friday of Memorial Day through October
31. " Yes, it mentions food lockers as a second choice, but the "required"
above trumps this; i.e., food lockers can be used in off season and in other
than these 3 areas.
The three areas include these areas on the PCT: Siberian Pass to Guyot Pass,
Forester Pass to Pinchot Pass, and the area around Le Conte Ranger Station
at the junction of the Bishop Pass Trail.

The map they link to is dated 2007, not sure but I thought there was a newer
bear reg map.

I've seen on this list the idea that bear boxes were for use only by
thruhikers, but have never seen this printed on anything official. The
rangers I've met over the years admire thruhikers but have expressed concern
that thrus think they are outside the law and don't always follow the rules
they should (illegal campsites and campfires, bear cans being a few) and
aren't always as prepared for bad weather. In other words, don't look for
special privileges because thruhikers before you have already blown it.

AsABat

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: brick at brickrobbins.com
To: Pct-L at backcountry.net
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 13:11:19 -0700
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear Canisters

On Thu, Sep 30, 2010 at 7:56 PM, AsABat <asabat at 4jeffrey.net> wrote:
> And what if a bear box is already full of other people's stuff,

This is an example of typical situations not applying to Thru hikers.

A weekender in the Rae Lakes Loop in August is likely to find full Bear Boxes.

A thru-hiker leaving KM (south) around Ray Day is not going to have
that problem.

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: bogater at hotmail.com
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 17:03:01 -0400
Subject: [pct-l] What underwear do you wear hiking?

Hello,
I have been trying a few different types of underwear for hiking.  I have not yet found a pair that suit me.  I get chafing if I wear boxers or briefs and get too sweaty if I wear bike shorts.  What (style) have you found that works?  How about the same for womans underwear (for my wifes knowledge)?
Thanks.

--Forwarded Message Attachment--
From: gwschenk at socal.rr.com
To: pct-l at backcountry.net
Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 14:13:37 -0700
Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters

Have you seen the size of the grouse on the trail? Big as chickens.

On 10/1/2010 10:11 AM, greg mushial wrote:
>> Message: 12
>> Date: Fri, 1 Oct 2010 09:24:13 -0700
>> From: AsABat<asabat at 4jeffrey.net>
>> Subject: Re: [pct-l] Bear canisters
>> To: gwschenk at socal.rr.com
>> Cc: PCT MailingList<pct-l at backcountry.net>
>> Message-ID:
>> <AANLkTi=SgE3eYHjds62K=fj6f_AOYU8TZs5TkpaTj4Dt at mail.gmail.com>
>> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>>
>> I was saving this for later, but after recently completing a section hike
>> during deer season, was wondering if anyone has tried resupplying from the
>> land as they hike? Carrying a rifle/shotgun combination, one might be able
>> to harvest deer and quail for dinner each night. Walking quietly along the
>> trail, not being slowed down by the weight of any food in the pack, one
>> should be able to find plenty of game. Certainly more than the "hunter" on
>> the noisy quad we met one evening was (not) finding. Roast some venision
>> on
>> a big wood fire, dry some of the next day's lunch, or air-dry it on the
>> back
>> of the pack carne seca style. Some wild onions add flavor. Maybe bring a
>> dog
>> to flush out the quail. No need for a heavy bear can if you aren't
>> carrying
>> any food. So, has anyone done this successfully?
>>
>> AsABat
>> (Fully tongue in cheek)
>>
>
> ;-) on
>
> Could just eat the bear...  no??   If a xxxx canister if for storing xxxx
> (eg, flour canister) - then doesn't it follow that: a bear canister is for
> storing bear ??
>
> ;-) off
>
> TheDuck
>
>_______________________________________________
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>
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>
>

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