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<DIV>"...it isn't the first to Agua Dulce that gets served, it's the first to request one to be held for them..."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Thanks, Craig - that's more accurate... There will be a posting 'soon' (before Christmas) on the</DIV>
<DIV>forums with further explanation and hopefully another option for borrowing, also (on a 'one-on-one'</DIV>
<DIV>basis)...</DIV>
<DIV>The program was intended for those thrus on a limited or tight budget (or coming from overseas) not</DIV>
<DIV>having to worry about buying or renting a bear canister for their thruhike (and not having to worry</DIV>
<DIV>about being 'legal', either!)...</DIV>
<DIV>If a thru that has a reserved canister gets off the trail prior to Hiker Heaven (and notifies us,</DIV>
<DIV>of course), then that canister would be 'up for grabs' - first come, first served - but, I wouldn't count</DIV>
<DIV>on one being available (without the prior 'reservation') when you arrive in Agua Dulce, however...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>If anyone would like to 1) donate a canister to the program OR 2) be willing to loan your canister to a thru-hiker for 3 or 4 weeks in 2008 ('one-on-one' basis), please contact me offlist... Thanks!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Another "Thank you!" to last years donors to the "PCT Perpetual Bear Canister Loan Program":</DIV>
<DIV>Jamie at BearVault <A href="http://www.bearvault.com/">http://www.bearvault.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV>Scott at Postholer <A href="http://postholer.com/">http://postholer.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV>Mike and Dan at Moontrail <A href="http://www.moontrail.com/">http://www.moontrail.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV>Glen and Grant at Gossamer Gear <A href="http://www.gossamergear.com/">http://www.gossamergear.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV>Brian at ULA <A href="http://www.ula-equipment.com/">http://www.ula-equipment.com/</A></DIV>
<DIV>Lawrence "Bear" Beals - class of 2007, but unfortunately got off the trail due to injury (2008 ??)</DIV>
<DIV>Jim Payne - in memory of Doug Andrews, 39 years dedicated trail work Salmon River RD, Klamath NF</DIV>
<DIV>Donna "L-Rod" and Jeff Saufley at Hiker Heaven <A href="http://www.hikerheaven.com/">http://www.hikerheaven.com/</A> for storage and distribution... </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Will soon post again with more details for borrowing...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Happy trails!!!</DIV>
<DIV>Jim</DIV>
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