[pct-l] bear questions

[David Stewart]

Hello all,

I am a PCT rookie, planning a thru in '08.

I have Yogi's books and she recomends bear canisters/use the lockers, etc...
my questions regarding "bear issues" are:

1) although she officially recomends bear canisters, almost all hikers who
contributed comments to the book were very relaxed about the whole issue
saying that they slept with their food, used it as a pillow, etc... that
seemed, well, strange to me. So, what do people do? Aren't there other
little critters who will nibble through a stuff sack (mice and the like) to
get your snickers?

2) Even if one does use a bear canister or bear locker, what good is that if
you have it in your tent or sleep next to the locker? Doesn't Mr. or Mrs.
Bear still come a-lookin?

3) Trees? Hanging food 300 meters from where you sleep, etc... what about
that? That does not seem possible in the desert, or above tree line, but on
the rest of the trail?

I have these question because I am used to the AT and Long Trail, where
trees are a-plenty. Forget bears for a moment, what about
mice/possum/skunk/racoons, etc... i don't want to use my food as a pillow
and then have racoons on my head. I guess the PCT changes so much...that I
just need to roll with what happens and ask all of you questions along the
way?

Thanks for reading, helping, being cool.

Hope Thanksgiving was good.

-dave "moondog" stewart
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