[pct-l] Bear canister

[Dirk Rabdau]

Regarding the issue of bear canisters, please consider that the rules were setup to accomodate the widest audience possible. The bears in the Sierras have become adept at obtaining human food, due to the negligence of humans combined with the smarts of bears. The rules to some may seem excessive but they are put in place to protect the bears rather than inconvenience a hiker. The Sierra Interagency Black Bear Group (SIBBG) developed these rules and maintains the listing of approved canisters.
 
I've heard from several thru-hikers who felt that canisters were unnecessary for they did not encounter signficant bear traffic. I would counter with the fact that had their food been compromised, they would have created a signficant logistical problem for their hike while endangering the life of the bear.  The rules are in place because bears have become conditioned to human food, an unfortunate result of poor food storage practices. There are plenty of photos online that show just how resourceful bears can become when hungry. (This is an example of a really bad idea, leaving food in your pack. Check out he photo...http://www.bearcant.org/61.htm).
 
Finally, given that the backpacking equipment available today wieghts a fraction of the gear available a decade ago, the additonal weight offered by a canister (two to three pounds) does not impose an unreasonable burden. Certainly, hiking without the need for canisters, as is common in other parts of the countrywould be preferrable. But this will only happen once bears in the Sierras do not have access to human food for a generation.
 
My two cents.

Dirk