[pct-l] permits (re. bear canisters)

[enyapjr at comcast.net]

Regarding bear canisters - to use or not use in the Sierra:

FORGET about what was done in the PAST, be concerned with what you will have to do in the FUTURE...
Seki will probably require bear canister use throughout their backcountry in 2009 - not just the 3 zones (Rock Creek, Rae Lakes Loop, & Dusy Basin areas) prior to that...
See http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/bear_bc.htm and http://www.nps.gov/seki/planyourvisit/upload/2008ContainerBulletin.pdf... 
Eventually the bear boxes (or 'lockers') in the back country will disappear - starting with the "broken and unused" ones...
We will probably have to wait until April, 2009, to find out the definitive 'new' rules and regulations from the various agencies regarding bear canisters in the Sierra...

In case you're curious, you hit bear canister "required" territory at Cottonwood Pass in Inyo NF, PCT mile ~750...  The southern Seki boundary is at PCT mile ~753 and the northern Seki boundary is at PCT mile ~858...  There's also 2 small zones South of Reds Meadow and another zone from Reds Mdw. to Yosemite NP boundary in Inyo NF that "require" bear canisters, then, of course, ALL of the Yosemite NP backcountry as of 2008...  Reds Mdw. is at PCT mile ~907 and the northern Yosemite boundary is at PCT mile ~998...

Carry a bear canister - you no longer have to carry multiple quarts of water as in the drier SoCal sections, and as "Easy" implied - it is a form of 'freedom' (no worries, no wasted time) - plus it makes a great stool to sit on while you cook a meal!

Happy trails!!!
Jim / PITA